Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/24/2008� B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM Decembe TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager Q by rks SUBJECT: Generallnformation 1. A bit of good news, the City has received $4,804,995 in Proposition 1 B bo for local transportation projects. Quick action by staff and the Council allowE to obtain these funds prior to the freeze of Proposition 1 B funds by the St� Money Investment Board. The City plans to use these funds for t improvement projects on Stockdale Highway and White Lane. 2. Attached are a couple pictures of the Mill Creek Project canal construction really taking shape. This phase of construction will complete all of the impi in the canal portion during the four week canal shutdown period in Decen contractors are setting the new bridges over the canal and completing thE work this week. They are also placing cobble and boulders through next work in the canal area continues to be on schedule and will be ready by when the Kern Delta Water District resumes water flow in the canal. 3. Attached is a letter the Economic and Community Development Departmer received from CaIHFA notifying them that there will be a temporary suspen fund disbursements under the Residential Development Loan Program (RD Redevelopment Agency has about $2 million in RDLP funds reserve� Creekview Villas Project, which is a housing component of South MiIIcrE ci icnancinn ic r^li �o tn tF�o roront �ntinn t�l�on F�v tl�o DnnlorJ �Annov Ir►vo�tm Honorable Mayor and City Council December 19, 2008 Page 2 4. As a follow up to the presentation I made to the Council on November 1 gtn, � an overview of the budget reduction actions that have been implemented to important to note that due to the ever changing economic circumstancE ourselves in and the uncertainty of the State budget, additional worl necessary. 5. The "A Life Interrupted Program" has been selected to receive the Richard , Regional Award of Merit in the category of Public Safety by the Kern Governments. The program will be recognized at the KernCOG Annua Awards Ceremony on March 5, 2009. 6. As a reminder, City Hall will be closed for the holidays on December 25t" a well as January 1 St and 2na 7. During the weeks of Christmas and New Years, we will be altering the re� collection schedule, and closing the Mt. Vernon Green Waste Facility on ce Detail of the schedule and some helpful tips on how to dispose of Christma: cardboard boxes are enclosed in a press release from Public Works. 8. I will be taking off most of December 24th as well as the 30t" and 31 St. Jol will be in charge during my absence. 9. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of December 22�d is enclos 10. Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Carson • Trash Pick Up at 1301 California Ave; Councilmember Sullivan • Condition of inedian on Ming Ave. AT:rs:st cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk • B A K E R S F I E L D Public Works Department Raul M. Rojas, Public Works Director PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Raul I December 23, 2008 Public Works (661) � Implementation of Proposition 1 B: Local Street and Road Funds City of Bakersfield Receives $4,804,995 for Local Transportation Proj� We are pleased to announce that the City of Bakersfield will receive $4,804,99' money from Proposition 1 B for local transportation projects that the City will p immediately to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. This money was prior to the freeze of Proposition 1 B funds by the State Pooled Money In� Board. Prop 1 B, the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality and Port Securi 2006, was passed by voters in November 2006. The bond, part of a$� infrastructure bond package, provides $19.92 billion for various transportation to rebuild California, and in particular includes $1 billion for California cities to : local transportation priorities. The City of Bakersfield plans to use these funds on two projects. These projecl Street Improvements - White Lane from Dovewood Street to Wible Road Prc the Street Improvements - Stockdale Highway from Country Club Entrance to � and from California Avenue to Weatherly Drive Project. These streets ar component of the City's transportation network. Along White Lane, parking pockets will be constructed for residents, allowing width to add a third travel lane in each direction. Additionally, the existing det asphalt concrete pavement will be rehabilitated. This project will go out to bic calendar year 2009 and construction should be completed in the second half of The two segments of Stockdale Highway are not currently wide en . . .� � � �- --- -- ---� J:___1:_� TV.� ..........�..1 ...:11 .........�..- �' . .� k . � : .�'�' F 1 .�. ; y.'_ .�Y�`�'�►�-. ��� 1 � � _ - � ^ L�� ��' 1 �' i .� . I � � �� ���� ,11��' . V � -, �� �. —T � � � a+�� 4 � �� i ' • � +�*« � - , _ 1 e � � . . .:-�. i � �_i�� _ I � :s , f � � - � ' �' . .. . `i- . r ►"'1'�' ?'.� - __� � � . ,` !.f' .�' � i ,:', �--� -�, • . � s. � lijG � ` .i � s ..s. �i �y``'`'"'-� -/� - , - � -� - , ,f'Y(��' : � _ . ` '. tls�" � - `� ..� ' . . x � � -!sM ' .�' � 1 . +�_ � .�^ � . ,.�� - � C�:^ - r '��.�. ♦ � iK � � - , _ �, �. �. . F�� ._ ' �3 �r _s'_- _ _ • -, - , ��,� • ,.r '�' �.� V �r+' ` s ' � . '� � . ,• � : - � .� �� � ��: - - . �lw.r' r d i � � '. Y . :1 � , `�:-�'' '�' _ �' � 'v►" �:-` _�� �` � - - " . . ""`�' _ -� ' 'a'�'� •�- .. -�* _ `. : ",?! '' • �,. a • . r. � + �`a. � �. . . . � ..•ih�. �� - �. :,, Ca ��FA Carifornia Housing Finance Agency RESIDENTIAL DEVEL�PMENT LOAN PROGRAM (RDLP} December 19, 2008 To: RDLP Locality Participants TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ALL FUND DISBURSEMENTS UNDER RDLP PROGRAM COMMITMENTS Effective immediately, the issuance of all fund disbursements under the RDLP I is suspended until further notification. This includes all disbursement requests in the process of being sent to CaIHFA by email, fax or mail delivery. This program is being temporarily suspended as a result of the action taken by State's Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB) on December 17, 2008. The F comprised of the State Treasurer, the State Controller and the Governor and lo money to state agencies to advance program funds which will later be repaid tr bond issuances. CaIHFA uses a PMlB loan to initially fund its RDLP Program, addition to other CaIHFA programs. The recent PMIB action froze all such PMI It is anticipated that this situation will continue until the State's budget crisis is r� The PMIB will meet again in early January 2009. At that time, we may receive information as to when these programs will be restored. We thank you for your business and we look forward to continuing to support y� affordable housing loan needs. For questions about this notice, contact Amanc at (916) 445-9313; or Maria Jimenez at (916) 322-1469, of CaIHFA Homeowne Programs. � B A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM December TO: Honorable Mayor and City Counc�l�_ / FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager �� SUBJECT: Budget Reduction Report At the City Council meeting of November 19t", I made a presentation to yo status of our revenue losses and the corresponding cost reductions that nee< made in response. Councilmember Carson asked for a follow up report wr work was done. Prior to the status report below, it needs to be stated that we are in unique, and unfortunate times. Negative information is arriving so quickly that there re� stopping point to the budget work. Just over the last week the status of five of � projects, including the West Side Parkway, has been threatened by a proble little known investment account at the State. The State is in its worst financial crisis ever. Any day they may take actio damage us further. With all the cuts referenced below, we have no more easy moderately difficult) places to cut. Anything added to what we have will be nature. In March, we will get a sales tax check for the period of October through D October is the month when the national economy crashed. We are very appr about what that will be. In short — by the time the ink is dry on one report of cuts, new informatior to mean we simply enter in a new phase — and that scenario may well re� anrl nvc�r anainl Honorable Mayor and C DecembE • It eliminates 106 vacant positions • 64 temporary positions were eliminated • 8 General Fund positions were transferred to non-General Fund areas • 4.5 General Fund positions were moved as an accounting measure General Fund sources • Special recognition goes to Risk Management for coming up with $6' help other departments — favorable experience has resulted in rate red� departments • Thanks are due to the City Council for $200,000 in Council contingency million from the Retiree Medical Liability Account • All departments and services are damaged So far we have avoided layoffs of full time permanent positions. Any future pr be more severe, I regret to report. PROPOSED BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS SUMMARY • Impact of cuts to the General Fund (Funds 011 & 012 Combined): o Totai General Fund reduction of $14.81 million. o Eliminate 106 vacant positions in all funds: • Including 82 vacant General Fund positions: • Executive: 7 • City Attorney: � • Finance: 3 • Police: o Sworn: o Civilian: • Fire: • Public Works: • Recreation & Parks • Development Srvcs • ED/CD 22 9 2 16 12 10 0 o Eliminate 64 temporary employees (including $450,000 reduction Parks). Temps for seasonal programs will be kept. o Transfer 7 General Fund positions to fill vacant Non-General Func positions. • Fire: 5 • Public Works: � • Development Srvcs: 1 o Reallocates funding for 4.5 General Fund positions to Non-Gener< Fund sources, including grants, enterprise funds, etc. (includes sh of hydrant maintenance function and one position from Fire Department to Water Resources Department). 0 � Reduce Retiree Health Insurance funding by $2.5 million. Reduce Council Contingency by $200,000. o Self-Insurance Fund rate reductions due to $616,011 in Risk Management savings. o Other ongoing reductions in travel, training, etc. o Reduce Overtime and Callback Pay(including $1.65 million rAr�i irtinn in tha Pnli�P f�PnartmAnt'c hi irinPtl � � J � 0 � � W � � � IQ H W G � m \ � \° � \ � \° \° \° � \° \ \° \° (n o 0 0 0 o c o 0 0 0 0 0 0 O rt N O � W�� CO O t� O I� O� F-- � a0 � M N O� tn t0 M t� 'J O � O w O� ln cD � f� � t� CO N � c0 O a0 U o � e— C'� � � ln �— 0 � Q m � tfl O CO M I� M N t� 00 CO N� O� � � O cD N O M N O� � CO I� N� O� O w F- d_ O M o0 f� CO GO N i� � � 1� r CD W M a0 f� CO �i' c'M `� f� CO � tp 1� N �t p~ CO � CD N t� M N C') 1� CO lt) ��— 1� a � �— ��-- O) t� t� f� O� � N 0� CJ ln � N O � 1� �— N� a-- N 1� O c'7 r- r } � m c0 M N r- �-- � 00 � Q � � Z JO F- ~ OV � � 0 w � � W H � Z � � ZZ � w O � � U � � 0 � � � � W F-' � � O O O O O O � N��� O Q¢� Z Z Z E!� Eil 00� �O �OONCDOCDOOC> O O�t t� �� 00 0� d' �t s- O •- O O O� N N�' O M��- O O 1� O t!� �- tn V O M d' �- N O � �- O M N ln �-- N N tf� t� � t1') O N � � N� CO f� ln N� tf) 00 e- � �- e- � N � � � .-, � �-. � � N tri t1� CO CO I� . � � i � � � v � O O M t� O�� ti O O CO O O f� O O �— ��' CO Cfl t� O M � O CO O O � � N M M N 00 O�— O O t� O O� a0 :h � Cfl CO � N O tD e— O� tf) I` � N C�O N V'�i' � t� N N 1� � OOOOO�M�N�OOO� � GJ M I� T- N M d' N CO N M Q� � t� C � � t� � � W � O Z � � W Ef� � � Z Q � H G� Z � � Q � (� U � Z � O r Z � O � cn � J O wa O O � � � v� vv O O O O O� M O� O O O O � O) CO � N M I� � C) � N M � �� 000000 ��0�—OQQ~ z`z O►� CO O�'�7 � O CO O O O O � � I� O � � o� � � M 0�0 CO 1� 00 N tn 00 � 00 co �- cfl r- c� �n ti co N 119 � .,, O O ti�— M � N Cfl N O O N c� �— r- r' Q Q CO ZZ w ` � � S U � iii � U � � � O c � � � � �[ �' � +�. Z � < � � f O �- .-. { a`) C � c o � � � U i a� � U � C � (0 � C � w � c � 'c� c � i � � C � ` � � � U � C � � C � u o � � d c i 7 O '� C � y - � C � p C C N y � � C : � f0 i C � •- t � � C N i '� � � N t � � � � � .c c � `° ` cA c t U CO � 3p : t = � � i }' C ... C � � � � ? � ( 3 �n � �> o � ` • c c��o 0 ° o � � � � C U � � C yq � «f fA `°o .� �a� i � .. � ca a> .� c � 0 � 'C � C b � � � � Q j °' �° c�v �. a�i o i � Y � � � o � i Cn C� Y_. v= Q. � ' Y U � :. 4 A � f6 L O � (9 ( � c � � � °o rn o i a� � � � � (� � � � � i 5::.��F-� �.� i co c� c _ � r„ s 3 ) > 3 i ) 3 n ) L ) i � � i i ) 3 i � s ) ) S 3 > > > ) � i 3 ) S ) > ) > ) J � s� 3 9 : ) ) ; ) � J � � ] n 3 S � � 6 S � H m 2 X W H Z W � H � � Q � W � � m Z O Q U O � J Q W � � Z � � LL � m � m _ X W � W LL � Z Q � � � Z � � � H � W � Q U 0 J J Q W � � Z � lL J Q � W Z W � \ O O U N � O 0 .� � c � � � Y O � ca � U � U C (6 C � c Ll.� (6 � � \ 0 � N � -" C %� O � •- O •� N Q � � � � C Q' � _ (7 U� o �.: Y o 0 � l!� o �> +� �- > �M U � � J Q. � m �5 3 �win `o U N � � � O � Cn U Y � � � �> � > � U Q J m � d 0 O � d Y � � o � o � O � O s- � .- U Y m d �wOUcw o°I°ol°o � � � N c0 �U O � � Q C C c c c cu cB � d d � > � � f U � 0 W � U Z � � O � c� � W rn -� U W Q (� � N � � � L (n �� YUU � c a� Y+ w � .r . � ,� a� � _ QW O C C�'� � W� C O L � � � .0 .� � � � � � � � � Z U �� Y�.V � c w U c 0 0 ` w •- O �QQUUc� Q W � U �w � � � a � � t FY 2008-09 Budget - Eliminated Positions Citywide as of 12/18/08 City of Bakersfield 12/18/2008 16:00 DEPARTMENT IDPIDV Division POSITION LEGAL Cty Attor 12 11 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I I LEGAL Total Eliminated EXECUTIVE Hum Res 13 51 CLERK TYPIST I/II Risk Mgmt 13 61 SECRETARY II IT 13 71 CLERK TYPIST I/II IT 13 71 GIS TECHNICIAN IT 13 71 NETWORK SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN IT 13 71 PROGRAMMER ANALYST EXECUTIVE Total Vacant FINANCIAL SERVICES Administration 19 91 ACCOUTING SUPERVISOR Accounting 19 92 ACCOUNTANT I Accounting 19 92 ACCOUTING CLERK I Purchasing 19 95 BUYER II FINANCIAL SERVICES Total Vacant POLICE Admin 20 11 Admin 20 11 Admin 20 11 Admin 20 11 Admin 20 11 Admin 20 11 Operations 20 21 Operations 20 21 Operations 20 21 Investigations 20 31 Investigations 20 31 POLICE Total Vacant FIRE Admin 30 11 Safety 30 21 Safety 30 21 Safety 30 21 Safety 30 21 Safety 30 21 TOTAL VACANT 90 . _ _.,-�,.;:��.,-,,.� CLERK TYPlST II COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST DETECTIVE POLICE DISPATCHER POLICE OFFICER TRANSCRIBING NPIST POLICE OFFICER POLICE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SENIOR POLICE OFFICER CLERK TYPIST I/II SENIOR POLICE OFFICER ACCOUNTING CLERK I/II ACCOUNTING CLERK I/II CLERK TYPIST I MAINTENANCE CRAFTWORKER I (Hydrants) TRADES MAINTENANCE WORKER FIRE PREVENTION/ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER .-.� '-.�.. T.�r.� T � GF � 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 3 2 11 1 6 1 1 31 1 2 1 1 1 1 w 16 � NON GF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ., FY 2008-09 Budget - Eliminated Positions Citywide as of 12/18/08 City of Bakersfield 12/18/2008 16:00 TOTAL VACANT 90 16 DEPARTMENT I DPI DVI POSITION Division PUBLIC WORKS TRIP 40 21 C1VIL ENGINEER III Engineering 40 31 Engineer II (Traffic) Engineering 40 31 ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN I Engineering 40 31 CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR I General Svcs 40 51 AIR CONDITIONING TECHNICIAN II General Svcs 40 51 CLERK TYPIST I/II General Svcs 40 51 ELECTRICAL TECH General Svcs 40 51 FACILITY WORKER General Svcs 40 51 SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER Streets 40 52 MOTOR SWEEPER OPERATOR Streets 40 52 SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER (557) Equipment 40 53 FLEET MECHANIC I Equipment 40 53 LABORER Solid Waste 40 81 HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR Solid Waste 40 81 LABORER Solid Waste 40 81 SOLID WASTE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR PUBLIC WORKS Total Vacancies WATER Agriculture 45 11 CANAL TENDER II Agriculture 45 11 WATER RESOURCES DIRECTOR Domestic 45 21 ENGINEER I Safety 30 21 MAINTENANCE CRAFTWORKER I(Hydrants) WATER Total Vacancies RECREATION 8� PARKS Parks 50 21 LABORER Parks 50 21 PARK TECHNICIAN Parks 50 21 SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER Parks 50 21 SUPERVISOR I Parks 50 21 TRADES MAINTENANCE WORKER Recreation 50 31 FACILITY WORKER RECREATION 8� PARKS Total Vacancies :. ;,z,��=; , GF 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 7 17 � � � � 0 4 1 3 1 2 1 12 NON IGF 1 1 1 2 1 1 4 2 13 0 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 FY 2008-09 Budget - Eliminated Positions Citywide as of 12/18/08 City of Bakersfield 12/18/2008 16:00 DEPARTMENT IDPIDV Division POSITION TOTAL VACANT 90 16 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Planning 60 11 GIS TECHNICIAN Building 60 21 ASSISTANT CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Building 60 21 BUILDING INSPECTOR I/II Building 60 21 BUILDING PERMIT TECHNICIAN Building 60 21 ENGINEER II Building 60 21 CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER II Building 60 21 PERMIT & PLAN CHECK MANAGER Building 60 21 PLAN CHECKER - RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Total Vacancies GF 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 11 NON GF ED/CD Comm Dev 65 70 DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE 0 1 Ecvn Dev 65 80 DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 0 1 ED/CD Total Vacancies 0 2 : , -���'llll�l�,,�. . ���: .. Date: To: From: l��+1 � 3 ���� BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM December 23, 2008 Alan Tandy, City Manager W. R. Rector, Chief of Police `-� Subject: KernCOG Regional Award of Merit for Public Safety r '� �... /�wpr,: f ��,X�R: ��� � � a��C� `,��. ,`. . ,poi . `w vv_ ` - ���:� � ..,, "A Life Interrupted Program" has been selected to receive the Richard A. Maxw� Regional Award of Merit in the Category of Public Safety by the Kern Council of Governments. The program will be recognized at the KernCOG Annual Regional Awards Cere March 5, 2009. � B A K E R S F I E L D Public Works Department Raul Rojas — Public Works Director PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday December 17, 2008 Contact: Luda Fishman Business ManagE (661) 326-3114 During the weeks of Christmas and New Year's, the City of Bakersfield will b altering the regular trash collection schedule. There will be no trash pick up Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, 2008. All Thursday services, recyc green waste collection and trash collection will be made the next day, Friday December 26th. Friday collections will be made on Saturday December 27tn There will be no trash pickup on New Years Day Thursday, January 1 St, 200� Thursday services, recycling, green waste collection and trash collection will made the next day, Friday January 2"d. Friday collections will be made on Saturday January 3�d The Mt Vernon Green Waste Facility will be closed on Christmas Day, Thurs December 25th reopening again Friday, December 26th at 7am. They will als closed on Thursday January 1 St, 2009 and reopening again on Friday Januar 20�9. Please recycle your Christmas tree at the Mt. Vernon Green Wasi Facilitv between December 26th throuqh Januarv 11th. Remove all Criristmas trees may aiso be placed in your Green Waste Container by cuttii trees down to no larger than 2 inches in diameter and the length of the tree � allow #he lid to close completely. All ornaments, bulbs, lights, plast+c and mf stands must be removed from the trees and those items may be placed in tr Tan Trash Container. Cardboard boxes may be recycled at any of the following recycling sites: Bakersfield College Tevis Jr. High Lowell Park "�horner Elementary School Calvary Bible Church Westchester Recycling CSUB (near the Gymnasium) Bakersfiield Christian High School Fairfax School Liberty Christian Center The City of Bakersfield Solid Waste Division wishes residents a very happy � safe Holiday Season! For more information, please con#act Luda Fishman, Business Manager, So Waste Division, at (661) 326-3114. ,� __ Gi#y of Bakersfield � Pubtic Works Department � 15�1 Truxtun Aveni Bakersfield, Galifornia � 93301 (S61) 326-3724 � Fax (6fi1) 852-2120 Paqe 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF DECEMBER 29, 2008 — JANUARY 2, 2009 ResurfacinqlReconstructinq streets in the followinq areas: No street resurfacing/reconstruction during this week. Miscellaneous Streets Division proiects: Working on the Mill Creek project. Working on the Aera Park project. Working on the Maya Cinemas project. ### Paqe2of2 STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, December 29, 2008 Sweeping non-scheduled sweeping routes Tuesday, December 30, 2008 Sweeping non-scheduled sweeping routes Wednesdav, December 31, 2008 Sweeping non-scheduled sweeping routes Thursdav, Januarv 1, 2009 HOLIDAY — No Sweeping Service Fridav, January 2, 2009 HOLIDAY — No Sweeping Service ....., T�: FROM: DATE: � 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 December 24, 2008 SUBJECT: TRASH PICK UP AT 1301 CALIFORNIA AVE Referral No. 52 COUNCILMEMBER CARSON REQUESTED STAFF LOOK INTO AND DETERN WHY THE TRASH RECEPTICALS HAVE NOT BEEN EMPTIED AT 1301 CALIF AVENUE. On Wednesday, December 17, 2008 the trash bin at 1301 Califomia was overloa heavy for the driver to move into position to be emptied. The driver reported som� construction material such as bricks and exterior stone in the bin. A single driver is sometimes unable to move a bin to a place where it can be em� is overloaded with material such as bricks. On Thursday, December 18, a lead p the driver together were able to move the bin to a position where the refuse truck the trash receptacle. � 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: December 24, 2008 � SUBJECT: CONDITION OF MEDIAN ON MING AVENUE Referral No. 53 COUNCILMEMBER SULLIVAN REQUESTED STAFF EVALUATE THE CONDI� THE MEDIAN ON MING AVENUE AND INQUIRED AS TO WHETHER IT IS ON LIST F�R POSSIBLE UPGRADING. Staff will meet in early January 2009 to begin the evaluation of the condition of tr Ming Avenue. After their evaluation, a report will be submitted as to the expense priority listing of possible upgrading.