The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/18/2011TO: F ROM: SUBJECT: C)FF10E �JF THE CITY M��NAGER Honorable Mayor and City Council Alan Tandy, City Manager �/C� � General Information Mar� 1Vtiscellaneous Newrs • As of this writing the State Assembly had by a margin of one vote fai the legislation killing redevelopment. That issue is not over! • I have included a letter sent to the Caliifornia High Speed Rai outlining the significant concerns the City hcis with the level of inforn has been shared with us. Details are contained in the letter. • The County provided a polite, but not positive response to the C regarding annexations. This is the item where annexations are kil County not processing them as they ask for blank mitigation docurr signed. A copy of their letter is enclosed. • The Bakersfield Police Department's Crime F'revention Unit is asking Bakersfield to consider becoming an active member in the P� Program. Please see the attached flyer for more informcution. Toc can make a difference! • The Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency has received an ` Excellence' from the California Redevelopment Association for the Linear Park. The award will be presented on March 30 in San Jose. the attached news release. • I am planning to take vacation from April 1 st through �pril 8th. absence Steve Teglia will be in charge and the office will have r� .._�...��..��:...... ..� ��.� ......_.�..� �� Y.. ...V.,....r�,..��., Honorable Mayor and City Council General Information March 18, 201 1 Page 2 accordance with prop 218 requirements. It is a proposal consideration during the budget. Please see enclosed memo. • Kern River Water Flow Update: The fiow of the Kern River wiil contin� the City from Manor Street to Coffee Road. As we enter the spring s temperatures start to rise, we can expect a wet river from mid-Mc September down to the Park at River Walk:. An above average � (latest estimate is 140 percent from Depc�rtment of Water Resc enable the City to meet agricultural delivE�ries via various canals water in the river. ; �•' �iJ r :- Costa Mesa: Costa Mesa has sent layoff notices to nearly half of its � in a dramatic austerity program being �closely watched by c struggling with ballooning pension obligations. City officials said the the first step in a plan to outsource many services to the private � significantly reduce the number of work:ers at City Hall. The termination notices affect 213 of the city's 472 full-time employeE across departments: firefighters, mainter�ance workers, jail s� dogcatchers. y Stockton: The city's deficit projection for the next fiscal year has grc million, a result of an expected revenue� loss where the city anticipated a slight gain. In anticipation of that shortfall, the polic departments have been directed to plan for cuts of $13.2 millio million, respectively. y Victorville: An independent auditor says Victorville is nearing insol� community has almost $500 million in outstanding debt. Victorville Securities and Exchange Commission prok>e into bond sales, a investigation into its finances, and inquiriE�s from neighboring cc about its bond-financing practices. Honorable Mayor and City Council General Information March 18, 201 1 Page 3 Pension Reform ❖ Kinqs County: Kings County supervisors voted Tuesday in fa� agreement with the deputy sheriff's union that raises employees' contribution by 4 percent. The concession v�✓as achieved after nine negotiation. Other concessions included rE:duced pension benefi hires and a freeze in merit step increases in 2�� 12. Cauncil Referrals ✓ Councilmember Salas o Graffiti at Belle Terrace and Chester o Loud Music, etc. on Kyner Ave near Sti��rn Park ✓ Councilmember Benham o Yard Sales Held at Lot on Corner of 34t�� Street and Jewett Avei o Vandalism at the Hill House o Weed Abatement at 21 18 E St o Standing Water at 2nd and F Streets ._�� For your information, we enclose the following ir�formation: > The Streets Division work schedule for the we�°k beginning March 21 s� AT:rs:ch cc: Department Heads Roberta Gafford, City Clerk �� B A K E R S F I E L D Alan Tandy • City Mana�er March 18, 201 1 Mr. Roelof van Ark, CEO California High Speed Rail Authority 925 L Street Suite 1425 Sacramento, California 95814 Subject: City of Bakersfield Concerns regarding the High Speed Rail Proj Mr. van Ark: Thank you for taking the time to meet with us on Thursday, March 10 discuss the High Speed Rail project. Subsequent to that meeting, City of Bakersfield staff inet with the Kerr of Governments to voice the same concerns thc�t we presented to you. The largest concern is that complete and timely information has not beE available. Inadequate information has been p�rovided upon which to reasoned assessment, and a number of factors have changed recentl� sufficient notice or review time. Based upon your visit, the following is our undersi�anding: 1. There is now enough money to extend th�e track south of the anr Borden to Corcoran location, but no one can say how far. 2. There have been design changes in the alignment, elevation, � i . '- -. i�---1 -�----�-� �----- ----�---�--I11____ .___..�.�..��..1:�. High Speed Rai Marc 3. Within the past two weeks, new information was revealed that sl- plan to place an electrification station on the City's Corporatic The Corporation Yard is a$150 million asset, and the news was surprise to us so late in the environmental process. We request tl relocated. 4. The volatile Bakersfield High School issue hc�s still not been resolvec 5. The "red vs blue" alignment conflicts in East Bakersfield, and in th� of the Amtrak Station, Arena and Convenfiion Center, among oth still not been resolved. 6. The partial plans shown to us on March lOth indicated more trc near the City and at ground level than before. These plans did r the land areas that will need to be taken to construct street undE The information and time of the notice was inadequate in � determine the impact to taxpayers, business owners and residents 7. The funding for the portion of the project, as outlined in No. 1, does not include the cost of a train or the required electrificatic tracks. It is a track only that is proposed to meet federal requirer "connect two logical points," and "to h��ve an independent u having Amtrak trains r�n on it. No time frame has been provide staff that is associated with any known source of funding, for the service between the two reasonable points. With both the federal and state governments in might a track exist without an High Speed Rail service connection? fiscal crisis, h� train or a rec 8. Even though the Thomas Roads ImprovE�ment Project (TRIP) ali� and drawings were sent to your staff over �a year ago; by the time with you on March lOth, the conflicts bet��een our highway planr your proposed alignments had still not been reviewed. Based u limited new drawings we received, we can now assume that mar conflicts will carry tens of millions of dollars in costs for the Authorit� with, and for which your staff has not yet done an analysis on thE High Speed Rail Marc 9. The environmental impacts of this projec�f are huge. For the Ci projects, which carry far less environmental impacts than the Higf Rail project, four years of environmental wc�rk is the norm. High Sp staff is attempting to complete this work in two years. That accelerated impact analysis will essentially lead to impacts that properly noticed, assessed or dealt with. A summary of our concerns are: Adequate and timely information has n provided upon which to complete a comprehE�nsive analysis. While tr willingness on the part of your staff to provide the information, you also the draft EIR is to circulate in June or July. That leaves inadequate address issues of public concern. Thank you for your consideration and attention to these matters. Respectfully, �- . �� / �� Alan Tandy City Mana er cc: Honorable Mayor and City Co uncil Raul Rojas, Public Works Director Jim Eggerfi, Planning Director Ron Brummett, Executive Director - Kern Covncil of Governments �� s�� d��n�.st��ve �ffi�e a Cc�untv �dministrative f�enter �� ,i ., .�f-UXi:iil ,''i�;'('ili1E, I II'��'i F �t)<.)i ° .��1KE,'f'tiIIC'�C�, �.,'� �%.i.5�) � - rf7_��) ;e�e}�Iic>�-ic� i�f� : -fiE;8-3`i �:+�; • �AX i�f;? -F;E>`i-";1 �i0 � ��TY �c�i�a�r f3(.)O --; ) �(}'>L) �lai� 'I'andy, City� IVlana�er C'ity c�f I3a�e�-sfield � tSQ� TliIXILFTI f�VtI1iFC', �-3ake��sfield, C�. 9>;{)l i`3ear iVlr. Ta��dy: , �:, �: =; �. .� On �Iarch 7, 2(?1 1, I receivr:d a�Shysical copy o�' your March 2, 20l 1, letter siabject: A��nex�tic�ns. =;;c�ui,tv ;�c:in L'€k� the �ity of Bakers#ieid, the �'ounty of Kern is keenly interested i�� a�g�ropriate dev�lc�pE��e��t proceedi�� iashit�n. Tc� �tzat c��d, I thiclk the. �,ity anc� the Coi�nty have seen sojne �ucc:ess at a coa�erative effO11 IIl StiE anne.xation �arocess. I a3n qti�ite certain that mo1-e success wili be achieW�ecl if� ��e co�nmit to irnproved cc�c�F exait��ie, W(', CQfItII]UE lE) �Y.t(;IIC� iill invitation for you to sh��re with the C'c�unty yc�ur adv�ilC� �nawled�e a��nexatic>ns w�ll �i-ior to ti�e st��rt of the LA�rCC� pracess. I ai�� quite; tie3�tain ,j�ist that �ne ��:stizre would pi•ocess substantialiy. �Jl�iie I a�ree th�tt w�c h�3ve ha�i ��roblei��s with annexatio�s not meetin�; the 60—)U day LAF��.'O time i extencf�d Tae�otiatia��s with c�evelopers, Annex�ltion 6�2 mi,ht not be the best exan�ple t.o su��port ti�at po: �inderstandin� that there we:-e a number of issues stailinb this pro�c;c;t, not soiely the development facility initigation agree�ne��t. However, 1 azn also tald that the d�veloper rvas made ��ware of a dc,lay and d Not��ithsta��din� Acinexatian 63', y�ur point is weil taken, and I helieve ti��at �.fforts to prc>vide the Cou��iy � of patential annexa�ions w�iil �el� ?o improve the process. I appreciate. your thougnts and recoirn��endarions c�i� iJl� C01131Iy's operatio��s and y<�ur �ff�er td� collec� a fut im�act fe;e; howeve�-, C'oun�y �'c�unsel ir�f<}rrns me tl�at the County has n� auEhoi-ity to iFn�os� a miti�alion fi b� co�lectc�d, �:ither by t11e City �r by the CounCy, from propei-ty after it I�as heen annexec�. C«unsel alsa inf t�nce a property is ar�nexed into the C'ity, t�e C:ounty has no authai-ity to cc�mpel the City or developer to pa� esta�lished iee. The City has nat historically voluntecred to impose a fc;e fc>r C�'ouc�ty public facility miti�atio develo��7�ent. Given this fac� pattern, the C:'ounty's strate�y has t�ee>> to c3-eate a rnitigatic�n �greemen� �ieve�oper has an enfc�rceablc o�li�ation to �he C'c�unty to provide the a4reec� mitigatiol�. l�t�sent � 3��iti�ation a City irnposed fee> Che County's c�piic>T� is limited to an expensive and p�iblicly negative C�:�A �rocess t<> f to pr�vide needed rt�=.ti�ation. I thir�k we can F�oth a�ree; that a lawsuit aftcr the #'act i5 the least �tt�-active o�tior�. I still believe t corrzmunicatic�� ai�d coc�peratic�� efor�: the fact le��ds to a more cost-effective, res�c�nsive, and ��-�ciictabie «all pravide cei�tainty to dc;velopers, and .I arn cocn�tiitted to work wiih yoa anc! yoEir stat�i tc� that end. r�,hank you a�ain #'or your a�sistaa�ce a��d your contiiit�ed ef�fort5 towards ianproving the process. � reveni�s uicidenLs of vandalism, criinc and misu�c o� park properl.ics �'`..SI(9 Cl�.1ZC118 LO IiCC[l a vi�;ilani� cyc ou1, for suspicnous aci.iviiy wiilwi our K z parks .;g� �<« � _ educes repair and restoration costs for park eq�uipment and facilitties � � A ��' �:..eeps our parks aud the citizeus that use them safer �.� � �� atches out for poteiitial misuse of park propei•ty �,. .;.rouses awareness to activities takin� place in oU�r parks � .;;;, : '. e�ches that our parks belon� to a11 of us �:.�reates community pride as everyone works togel.her to ensure safe, clean enjoyable parks. �,. �a' ,. elps law enforcement efforts AS THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING, NIORE PEOPLE WILL BE OUT AND � ENJOYING THE MORE THAN THE 272 (AVERAGE) DAYS OF SUNSHINE WE EXPERIENCE HERE IN BAKERSFIE IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE LUCKY PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CLOSE PROXIMI1fY TO ONE OF THE CITY'S 52 PAR THE BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT NEEDS YOUR HELP! THE BPD CRIME PREVENTION UNIT IS ASKING CITIZENS OF BAKERSFIELD TO CONSIDER BECOMING AN A( MEMBER OF PARK WATCH. WE ARE � ASKING YOU TO ACTIVELY PA,TROL YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD P� WE ..!j ASKING YOU TO BE MORE AWARE OF ACTIVITIES CONSIDERED TO BE DISRUPTIVE OR ILLEGAL � REPORT THOSE INCIDENTS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. Park Watch Program participants are encouraged to watch for all incidents of vandalism, unrulii and other obvious wrongful activities, including: • Defacement of park equipment, shelters and restrooms - Graffiti • Undera�e drinkin� • Misuse of playground equipment � Violation of park closing hvurs • Illegal [)rug Use March 10, 201 l FOR IMMEDIATE REI,FASE CON'rA,CT: Randi Dixon rdixon @ calredevelop.� (916) 448-8760 CITY OF BAKERSFIELD HONORED BY STATFWID]E ASSOCIATION WITH AWARD OF EXCELI,ENCE FOR ITS MILL CREEK L,INEARPARK What was once a fast-moving canal in a dirt ditch surroundecl by dilapidated cyclone fenc: running through the heart of Bakersfield is now Mill Creek Linear Park. Thc 1.5 linear m includes a lined, natural-looking creek meandering through downtown Bakersfield that lin housing, commercial, entertainment, and recreational venues.. Mill Creek began as a simple plan to clean up a city park and instead became a multi-face multi-million dollar project where people can now live, visit, and play. Completed in 201 Mill Creek improvements totaled $14.9 million with $10 mil:lion funded by a loan from th California lnfrastructure Bank. Other funding sources included tax increment from the O] Town Kern and Southeast redevelopment project areas, Bakersfield Water Department, th City's beneral capital outlay funds, and development fees. Since the completion of the Mill Creek improvements, the pa.rk has become a popular site weddinbs and other events. A farmers' market along the creek is held weekly from May t November, providing nearby residents, workers, and visitors with fresh local produce. W� access also allows residents to work outside the home or office in a beautiful outdoor setti And while Mill Creek provides aesthetic and economic development benefits, the waterw; remains a working agricultural canal. Today, Mill Creek Linear Park has brought renewed attention back to the urban core by providing a beautiful park with much-needed recreational op�portunities, all within walkin; distance to retail centers, restaurants, and entertainment. It h;as created a sense of place wl once was a neglected, overlooked park. Redevelopment wor:ks! Representatives from Bakersfield will receive their AWARD OF EXCELLENCE from th� California Redevelopment Association (CRA) at the 2011 CRA Annual Conference and F San Jose on March 30. The ceremony will be held from 11:30 a.m.to 2:00 p.m. in Ballroc the San Jose Convention Center (150 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA). Contact Donna Kunz, Economic Development Director for the Bakersfield Redevelopmer Agency, at (661 j 326-3765 for further information on Mill Creek Linear Park. Please contact Willa Davis of CRA at (916) 448-8760 or �vd��vis�?caYy�ede�elo��.��r<� for a� -- •�-__- -- ,-,,-,— �- -«-- �.,-- --------____ Aboui the CRA Award of Excellence Each year the California Redevelopment Association gives A.wards of Excellence to reco� redevelopment projects from around the state that have signii-icantly benefited their comm This is the thirteenth year CRA has honored the hard work and dedication of the professio working in the redevelopment field. Award nominees are evaluated based on their efforts to improve physical conditions in thf communities; the extent of community participation in and bc�nefit from the project; the economic viability and fiscal stability of the project; and unique, effective project design solutions. Each project is further evaluated based on criteria specific to the eight award categories: Commercial/Industrial Development; Communit�� Revitalization; Education, Marketing & Publications; Mixed-Use Development; Residential Development (new constrtiction); Residential I�evelopment (rehabilitation); Public Spaces & Linkages; Speci Citation; and Sustainable Development. Over 400 individuals will attend the awards ceremony. CRA Executive Director John Shi� be the Master of Ceremonies for this year's event. CRA President Linda Barton, City Mar from the City of Livermore, will help present the Awards of :Excellence. The 2011 CRA Award of Excellence winners are as follows: Victorville Redevelopment Agency National C�ity Coinmunity Development Commission Santa Cruz County Redevelopment Agency Huntin�ton Beach Redevelopment Agency Oakland Redevelopment Agency Burbank Redevelopment Abency Bakersfield Redtvelopment Agency Lafayette Redevelopment Agency Contra Costa County Redevelopment Project Dr. Pepper Snapple Group & Industrial Wastewater Facilit Marina Uateway Community Revitalization Project Build a Stron�er Soquel and I,ive Oak The Strand Uptown Residential Are.a Development — Phase I & II Peyton-Grismer Revitalization Yroject Mill Creek Linear Park I,afayette Library and Learnin� Center Contra Costa Centre Transit Villatre �'� Category Commercial/Industrial Develoninent Cornmunity Revitalizatio Education, Marketin� & Publications Mixed-Use Development Residential Development New Construction Residential llevelopment Rehabilitation Public Spaces & Linkaae Special Citation Sustainable Developmenl NOTE TO EDITORS—Descriptions of all the winning redf�velopment projects are avai] upon request from CRA. Contact Randi Dixon at (916) 448-8760 or rdix��C�?��LC��-v�I� r_._ _aa-��____i ._r.__----�..._� � � B 1� K E I� 5 F:I E I� I� PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTiMENT MEMORANDUN� TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: IVlarch 17, 2011 SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2011-12 Budget — U�pdate on Proposed Rei VNater, anci Sewer User Fees Starting with the good news, staff proposes no ref�,ise or water rate increases FY 2011/11. We were abie to balance the FY 2011/12 proposed budget for t Refuse and Water Funds based upon existing rate:�. Unfortunately, this will not be the case for the sewe�r fee. Staff reviewed sewE rates for 2011/72 to determine the fee needed to cc�ver costs and to service tl debt payments on the bonds issued for the Plant 2 upgrade and the Plant 3 upgrade and expansion projects. A combination o�f connection fees and use fees are used to cover debt payments. With the dE:cline in development activ there has been � commensurate drop in sewer con�nection fee revenue. Therefore, more of the debt service payments mus�t be covered through the sewer user fee. Both the F�inance and Public Works Departments rE.commend adjusting the annual residential user rate for a single family dwelling from $200 to $205. TI translates to a 2.5% increase or a monthly increasE� of 42 cents. Since all oth sewer fees are based upon this single family rate, those rates will also increa: by the same percentage. In order to meet the Proposition 218 noticing requir�ements for residential accounts, staff must start the noticing process at th�e end of March. The residential rate adjustment hearing is scheduled for� the June 8t" Council meet Nearly half of Costa Mesa city employees get layoff notices - latimes.com http://www.latimes.com/news/lacal/politics/l; latimes.com/news/locaUpolitics/la-me-costa-mesa-cuts-201103� 18-1,0,5839603.story latim es. co m Nearly half of Costa Mesa city employe�es get layoff notice; Officials aim to contract work out to curb future p�ension obligations and eventually close a budget gap. A union leader says the city didn't try to ne other options. Workers are shell-shocked, and one dies in an apparent sui By Joseph Serna and Mike Anton, Los Angeles Times March 18, 2011 Costa Mesa has sent layoff notices to nearly half of its advertisement employees in a dramatic austerity program being closely watched by other cities struggling with ballooning pension obligations. The move was sharply criticized by union leaders, and it stunned city employees, one of whom apparently committed suicide by jumping off Costa Mesa City Hall hours after layoff� notices went out Thursday. City officials said the cuts were the first step in a plan to outsource many services to the private sector and signif cantly reduce the number of workers at City Hall. The six-month termination notices affect 213 of the city's 472 full-time employees and cut ; departments: firefighters, maintenance workers, jail staff, ever.� dogcatchers. Costa Mesa is among hundreds of local governments around the country facing massive fut shortfalls in what they owe retirees. This year's tab —$15 mil:Lion out of the city's $93-mill� — is estimated to grow to more than $25 million within five years. But while other cities have attacked the problem with less generous pensions for new hires requiring current employees to contribute more of their paych��cks toward retirement, Cost; aims to contract out services it has directly provided for decad.es in a bid to curb future pen Nearly half of Costa Mesa ciry employees get layoff notices - latimes.com http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/l; policy at Stanford University who is studying the issue of underfunded public pensions. Faced with an unprecedented pension and retiree healthcare c1•isis, "cities are being forced � things that would've been unthinkable before," he said. Controversy over public employee pensions and benefits has r�iled state and local governm recent months as politicians scramble to cope with recession-socked treasuries. Conservatives have attacked longstanding and seemingly unas�ailable perks won by public � unions, and unions have struck back, unleashing bitter battles in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana a elsewhere — including California, where pension issues have complicated budget talks in S And in Los Angeles and other cities, looming pension shortfalls threaten the future of basic Maywood, a small city in southeastern Los Angeles County fa�;,ing an array of financial trol the loss of its insurance coverage, tried an approach similar to Costa Mesa's last year when most of its employees, disbanded its Police Department and co�ntracted municipal services ` neighboring city of Bell. The move made national headlines as a way for cities to cope �with rising expenses. But it q� turned disastrous when Bell was consumed by its ongoing sala�ry scandal. Maywood is now trying to rebuild its city staff, but residents h�ave complained about slower services. Costa Mesa's effort has become a rallying cry for some conservatives, who would like to se cities follow suit. Scott Baugh, chairman of the Orange County GOP, circulated an e-mail a Costa Mesa officials before Thursday's layoffs and the suicide report. "The good news is that a team of conservatives on the City Co�uncil led by our endorsed ca� Jim Righeimer, is fixing the problem in Costa Mesa," it read. The newly elected slate of council members, though, has said �:he move is about money, no1 City leaders hoped outsourcing would eventually allow them t�o close a budget shortfall thai $1.4 million this year. "This has been coming on for a long time, and we're coming to� a point that's rock bottom," . Gary Monahan told city employees at a recent meeting. Added Councilman Eric Bever: "We're going to run out of money sometime this year if not changes." But Helen Nenedal, presid�nt of the Costa Mesa City Employ�ees Assn., which will bear thf Nearly half of Costa Mesa city employees get layoffnotices - latimes.com http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/1 receive a layoff notice, authorities said. His identity has not been released pending notificat relatives. F,mployees were shell-shocked upon receiving the notices Thursday, even before news of t� spread. Many spoke of feeling betrayed. "I still haven't told my kids," said Enrique GomeL, 33, a ci1 maintenance worker for the last 16 years who will lose his job and $56,000 yearly salary. "" plan if we get laid off. There's unemployment, and work is hard to find. But I need to find a if it's at McDonald's making" minimum wage. Adding to the uncertainty is that much of the city's outsourcing plans are still up in the air. � have the Orange County Fire Authority take over city fire protection is still in the works. � Council meinbers have said that if they can't find private contractors to replace city staff, t� could be rescinded. "What should I do? Ag�essively search for another job, or try and weather the storm`?" saic Corum, 36, a city fleet mechanic targeted for layoff. His wife �ave birth to their first child, three weeks ago. Valente Martinez, 27, a park maintenance and irrigation worker, said he and his wife, who � time, live from paycheck to paycheck. Last year, they were finally able to scrape up enough money to put a down payment on a h newest car is a 1995 Camry. Now, one of the couple's two daughters needs an MRI to scan for a possible tumor, a proce will cost $2,500 out of pocket, he said. "Where am I going to come up with that money?" said Martin�z, whose birthday was Thur; "Worst birthday ever," he said. losepl�.serna cz,lcrtin2es.com mike. crnt�nn��lati»�acs. com Copyright �O 2011, I.,os _��eles. `1=imes City's projected deficit �ows � Recordnet.com http://wwv��.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic �1IL'WS CITY'S PRC7JECTED DEFlCIT GRC31i1JS STQCKTON'S NEV11 FORECAST RISES BY' $7 MiLLiUiV By Christian Burkin and Daniel Thigpen March 16, 2011 Record Staff Writers a�o by Daniel Thiypen STOCKTON - The city's deficit projection for the next fiscal year has grown to $34 million, a result of an expected revenue loss where the city had once anticipated a slight gain. In anticipation of that shortfall, the police and fire departments have been directed to plan for cuts of $13.: and $19 million, respectively. The city's deficit projection assumes no change to current labor agreements and that legal challenges aga city will succeed. Those challenges include those filed against the city by the police and firefighters unions opposing the imposition of cuts that include the closure of a Fire Department truck company and the canc� of scheduled pay raises. The police and fire unions have agreed to concessions in the past, but s�me are expiring, and the city is s to obtain long-term concessions on benefits and salaries. The city is still in talks with its two major public : unions. A significant portion of the anticipated growth in labor costs is a pay raise that was due to firefighters in J a subject of their legal challenge. Dave Macedo, president of Stockton F'rofessional Firefighters Local 45E said the union is willing to concede that raise, but not under terms dictat�d solely by the city. The contract between the city and the firefighters union expires at the erid of June. The city now has grea power to impose conditions on firefighters, as voters in November approved stripping firefighters of a gua that labor disputes would be negotiated by a third-party arbitrator. As recently as late January, the city was projecting a deficit of $27 million. That deficit was not because c declining revenue - the city was then projecting modest growth over the next four years - but because of increases in labor costs, including employee health care and contractual pay raises. City budget officials � projecting a$7 million drop in general fund revenue. Police Chief Blair Ulring is preparing for a$13.2 million cut to the Police Department's budget, which woul in the elimination of 116 positions, the majority of those civilian jobs. The planned cuts also would eliminate a patrol unit that targets gangs and the city's graffiti abatement prc The layoffs disproportionately affect civilians, Ulring said, because he m�ast maintain sworn staffing numbe respond to potential emergencies. Civilian police employees are represe�nted by the Stockton City Emplo� Association, which may still negotiate concessions to prevent layoffs. Some of the civilians who would be are working in positions mandated by law and would be replaced by offi�cers now working elsewhere. Ulri that would further sap the department's ability to respond to calls for service. Victorville, California, Faces Insolvency - The Bond Buyer Article http://wwv��.bondbuyer.com/issues/120_51/vic � � ! ; � � � THE D.WLY h1EUJSPAPEk OF PUBLIC FIIVANCE Victorvi lle, California, Faces Insolvency Wednesday, March 16, 2011 By Ra��datt Jensen SAN FRANCISCO — An independent auditor says Victorville is nearing insolvency. The California city's auditor, Mayer Hoffman McCann PC, noted the shuffling of tens of millions of bond proceeds between different agencies without proper app►-oval. "Substantial doubt exists about the city's ability to continue as a going concern," the auditor sa Victorville's comprehensive annual finance report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, rele� week. The community in Southern California's high desert has almost $�i00 million in outstanding debt Mayer Hoffman McCann, former auditor for the financially troubl�ed city of Bell, Calif., said its c about solvency stems from ongoing losses, lack of liquidity and net asset deficiencies in the city funds. A city spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment. Victorville is facing a Securities and Exchange Commission probe into bond sales, a grand jury ii into its finances, and inquiries from neighboring communities about its bond-financing practice� The city, its redevelopment agency, and its related enterprises r�°ported more than $480 millior long-term debt and certificates of participation in the fiscal 2010 CAFR. Its general fund revenues are about $47 million a year with a projected deficit of $5.3 million tl end of fiscal 2011. The Southern California Logistics Airport Authority, which is under the control of Victorville's c showed a$101 million deficit compared to $52 million at the start of the year. Its debt service � 2011 is $21.6 million. The report noted that several of the city's funds have advanced "significant amounts of cash" t airport authority without City Council approval. The audited statement noted $82 million of transfers between different funds, much of that wii council approval. According to the CAFR, seven out of nine city agencies showed a�n income loss before transfers. Victorville, California, Faces Insolvency - The Bond Quyer Article http://wwv��.bondbuyer.com/issues/120 _51/vic The auditor also said that the water district may be in violation c�f bond covenants tied to its ra because it was consolidated in 2007 and bond documents were not changed. Victorville, with a population of 111,000, is located in San Bernardino County, about 81 miles av� across a mountain pass — from Los Angeles. Its population almost doubled between 2000 and 201 The city's financial record-keeping appears to have gone amiss as; the government embarked on to convert the mothballed George Air Force Base into an air cargo hub, and to construct a powE In May 2009, the city hired Mayer Hoffman McCann after auditor Caporicci �t Larson said it cou certify Victorville's financial statements. Mayer Hoffman has been at the center of controversy for its role as auditor in Bell. California C� John Chiang has accused the auditor of being a"rubber stamp." Standard � Poor's pulled its ratin�s on Victorville's debt in April ; 009 after Caporicci &t Larson d certify the city's financial statements for 2007 in a report released a month earlier. Caporicci said the statements may be "materially misstated and may not represent fairly the fir position and respective changes in financial position of the city." O 2011 The Bond Buyer and SourceMedia lnc., All rights reserved. Use, dupticz�tion, or sale of this service, or data herein, except as described in the subscription agreement, is strictly prohibit��d. Trademarks page. Client Services 1-800-221-1809, 8:30am - 5:30pm, ET For information regarding Reprint Services please visit: http://license.icopyright.net/3.7745?icx_id=20090817FN� VISTA: City lays of�7 workers The North County Times - Californian VISTA: City lays off 7 workers http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/vista/artic Six of the positions were in city's community services department By CIGI ROSS - cross@nctimes.com � Posted: Friday, March 11, 2011 8:30 pm Vista issued pink slips to seven city workers this week, includinb six members of the ciiy's Recreation and Com Services Depariment, in the latest step in the city's ef�ort to close a projectecl $9 million budget gap in the fiscal be�ins on July 1, officials said Friday. The community services workers who lost their jobs were three recreation l��aders responsible for managing ci1 kitchen aide at the senior center, a community services program manager ancl a senior recreation supervisor. The seventh laid-offcity employee was a construction manager. Assistant City Manager Patrick Johnson said the community services layoffs ---- along with other cuts in the de� recent increases in user fees ---- will help trim about $650,000 from the city's deficit. He said he didn't have a t for how much of that number came from the salaries and benefits of laid-off workers. 'I'he construction manager position, which is not in the community services department, will save the city about includinb benefits, he said. Johnson said the workers were notified of the layoff's Thursday. Some marked their last day of work Friday and continue to work until May or June, he said. In February, the Vista City Council voted to cut many of the city's recreation offerings, including several classe, and some youth day camps or activities. "This is a direct result of the council's direction on recreation pro�-ams," Johnson said. "With reductions in sor pro�-ams, we're not goin� to need the staffinb we had." "I'he city has lost about 25 percent of its work force in the past three years through layoffs and attrition. In 2007, the city employed about 380 people. Johnson said there are now about 280 city workers. "7'his is the third year in a row we've experienced layof�s," he said. "They'r�e not to the ma�itude they had beer two years, but it's not a pleasant experience to have to keep going through." Johnson said there are no more layoffs expected but that could change if the city isn't able to close its budget ga In February, city officials released a 2011-12 budget proposal that estimates Vista will spend about $57.7 mill fiscal year and take in about $52.5 million in revenue ---- a deficit ofroughly $5 million. Johnson said that doe more than $4 million in transfers of funds already planned to help balance the budget. In the 2010-11, the city expected to take in $52.2 million and spend $59.1 million, using a combination ofreser and savings to balance the budget. In 2009-10, the city spent about $54.5 million and says it took in the same a�mount, but included $6.7 million in transfers as part of that revenue. County �ets major concessions from sherif�s union Hanford Sentinel http://wwv��.hanfordsentinel.com/article_U21 a: County gets major concessions from sh�riff s union Posted: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 12:0_5 pm Kings County supervisors voted today in favor of an a�-eement with the dep�uty sherif�'s union that raises emplc retirement contribution by 4 percent. The concession was only achieved after nine months of negotiation. Other concessions included reduced pension benefits for new hires and a fr��eze in merit step increases in 2012 The agreement runs through March 14, 2013 and affects approximately 120 employees. � .�= B � ti 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: March 16, 2011 SUBJECT: GRAFFaTI AT BELLE TERRACE AND CHESTER Referral No. 217 COUNCILMEMBER SALAS REQUESTED THAT STAFF INVESTIGATE AND ABATE GRAFFI� BELLE TERRACE AND CHESTER AVENUES. General Services staff has identified and abated graffiti at the following location Belle Terrace and South Chester Avenue: 1, Belle Terrace and EI Toro (east of intersection or� the south side of Belle Ter there is a slatted fence that is tagged by the canal; 2. Belle Terrace and EI Toro (east of intersection or� the south and north side Terrace) curbs and power line pole (north side); 3, 713 Cantlebury and Belle Terrace the wood fence is tagged and the light 4. 1100 Belle Terrace and Cantlebury a blockwall i:s tagged (BWG); 5. 1100 Belle Terrace and Cantlebury the curb uncler the mailbox is tagged; b. 1050 Belle Terrace and Cantlebury brick pillar tagged (purple tag); 7. 1324 Belle Terrace and EI Sereno a curb is tagged; 8. South Chester and Belle Terrace (north of the inlrersection on the east side Chester) a white tag is on the curb (near the bridge); TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: , � ��,N : �'- ,�� B A K E R S F I E L D Development Services Dep�artment M E IVI O R A I�� ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER PHIL BURNS, BUILDING DIRECTOR � March 17, 2011 D U M CI�'IZEN COMPLAINT ABOUT LOUD MUSIC - KYNER AVE. Cc�uncel Referral No. 218 COUNCILMEMBER SALAS REQUESTED THAT STAFF RESF'OND TO A CITIZEN COMPL ABOUT LOUD MUSIC AND OTHER ISSUES ON KYNER AVENUE NEAR STIERN PARK. Code Enforcement reviewed the Kyner AvenuE; neighborhood and a C Enforcement action was already pending agaiinst 1128 Kyner Avenue v� consisted of a vacant abandoned residence adjacent to a sc9�ool. Pro maintenance violations were abated at this property recently by contractors. A notice assessing the fees was issue�d to the owner of the prol March 16, 201 1. Code Enforcement will continue to monitor this neighborhood for Municipal Code violations. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: BAKERSFIELD POLI�CE MEMORANDUM ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER GREG WILLIAMSON, CHIEF OF POLICE MARCH 14, 2011 Loud Music, etc. on Kyner Avenue Near Stiern Park Council Referral No. 218 (Ward 1) ��=��:�, �ita `�`Nivo ��.��E��E � f �� .�� s �� •�,�� ', ,�+� ;n ,�! ;,. �.. ��. �l'4I,1C�! �; „� �� v� Councilmember Salas requested that staff respond to a citize�n complaint about loud musi and other issues on Kyner Avenue near Stiern Park. Council Member Salas' request was referred to the Operations Division for follow-up. Staff assigned to increase enforcement efforts through extra patrol during afternoon and eveninc addition, Lt. Robison contacted Code Enforcement and confirrned City staff will handle any enforcement issues. GSW/vrf , ...�. � .�k B A K E R S F I E L D Development Services Dep�artment M E IVI O R A �I D U M TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: PHIL BURNS, BUILDING DIRECTOR � DATE: March 17, 2011 SUBJECT: YA►RD SALES HELD AT LOT ON THE C:ORNER OF 34T" STREET A JEWIVETT AVENUE Ccauncii Referral No. 184 COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED THAT STAFF INVESTIGATE THE LOT ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 34T" AND JEWETT, AND THE l�'ARD SALES THAT ARE HELD July 22, 2010, a Code Enforcement Officer coni�acted an indivodual who selling miscellaneous items on the Northwest corner of 34th Street and JE Avenue. The Code Enforcement Officer informed the individual of the viol� and directed him to remove the items from i�he property. All items removed and the subject left the location. � �� ' �l�`i ��s ��,_`� �,.� BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER F ,�: � ROM. GREG WILLIAMSON, CHIEF OF POLICE / DATE SUBJECT March 15, 2011 VANDALISM AT HILL HOUSE Council Referral No. 213 (Ward 2) ,,J'.�� .-: � , r Ja� �`�;, - v� � ��,KERSFIE, �`��w � _��a�, �.�� ^ ��' ��;. P�LIC1 �, `�, � nw � /r., ��V`V � ��,V` � `-'�� Councilmember Benham requested that the Police Chief cor�tact Mr. Zala regarding complaints of vandalism at the Hill House. Councilmember Benham's referral was assigned to the Oper��tions Division for follow-up, Lt. Randy Robison contacted the owner/manager of the Hill Hlouse to discuss his concern: Lt. Robison confirmed the most recent vandalism occurred in October of 2010 and police i completed at that time, however, hotel guests have been suff��ring vehicle burglaries in th� parking lot at the rate of approximately one per month. Mr. Z�la installed better lighting ar surveillance cameras at the hotel in an effort to deter criminal activity; however the camer� recently stolen and the theft had not been reported. Staff was assigned to respond to the Hill House on March 12th and a report was accompli: Mr. Zala. In addition, the night shift supervisors have been ac�vised of the recent criminal parking lot and staff will increase enforcement efforts in the area through extra patrol. GSW/vrf � B A K E R S F I E L D Development Services Dep�artment MEMORAI��DUM TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER ,Y o, , FROM: PHIL BURNS, BUILDING DIRECTO� �� DATE: March 17, 2011 SUBJECT: WEED ABATEMENT AT 2118 E STREET Ccauncil Referra! No. 214 COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED THAT STAFF LOOK AT A POTENTIAL WEEC ABATEMENT ISSUE AT 21 18 E STREET. An investigation of the above property took plac:e on March 1 1, 201 1, in v� the Code Enforcement Officer determined violcition for overgrown weed Notice of Violation was mailed to the property o�Nner on March 16, 201 1. inspection of th� property will take place no sooner than 12 days from da mailing. If no abatement is found a second noti��e to schedule an Abatei Hearing will be mailed and the abatement process will continue. �� ,�� ,,, _ _ _- - - _-,,:� S A :It E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMIENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: March 16, 2011 SUBJECT: STANDING WATER AT 2ND AND F STREETS Referral No. 215 COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED THAT STAFF LO(JK AT A STANDING WATER AT 2N� AND F STREETS. The standing water at this location is due a large tree on the southeast corner 1 raised the gutter and sidewalk almost 5 inches, Street and Park staffs are wc find a solution to this problem. In the meantime, Street crews will grind the dc area down to enable the water to flow and ramp the sidewalk with asphalt, Paqe 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK �SCHEDULE Week of March 21, 2011 — March 25, 2011 Resurfacinq/Reconstructinq streets in the followinq area�s: Section repairs on Truxtun Ave. between Mohawk & Westwind (Night work) (CDBG funded area) Preparing streets in the area north of Belle Terrace and west of "f reconstruction Resurfacing sections at the Bakersfield Airpark Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Installing Handicapped ramps and repairing concrete in the NCern City area Preparing parking lot for paving at Mesa Marin Sports Compllex (weather permitting) (CDBG funded area) Installing & Repairing curb, gutter & sidewalks in the area east north of Flower St (CDBG funded area) Installing & Repairing curb, gutter & siclewalks in the area west o of California Ave Video inspection of City owned Sewer & Storm lines to evaluate condition of pipes Install catch basin and storm line into drainage sump at Buena Vista and Chamber are� THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Paqe 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCIHEDULE Monday, March 21, 2011 City areas between 99 Hwy. & Stine Rd. — Panama Ln. & Ta.ft Hwy. Tuesday, March 22, 2011 City areas between Olive Dr. & Downing Ave. — Coffee Rd. �� Knudsen Dr./Mohawk St Wy. From Weldon Ave. to Meany Ave. Between W. Columbus St. & 34th St. — Chester Ave. & San Dimas St. Beween Union Ave. & Madison St. — Casa Loma Dr. & Whit�: Ln. Between Westwold Dr. & So. Laurelglen Blvd. — Gosford Rd. & Woodglen Dr. Wednesday, March 23, 2011 City areas between Snow Rd. & Rosedale Hwy. — Jewetta Ave., west to the City limit. Between Ming Ave. & So. Laurelglen Blvd. — Coffee Rd. & E_I Portal / Laurelglen Blvd. Thursday, March 24, 2011 Between Snow Rd. & Olive Dr. — Jewetta Ave., east to the c,�nal boundary. Between Olive Dr. & Hageman Rd. — Jewetta Ave. & Calloway Dr. Between Niles St. & Sumner St. — Union Avenue & Beale A��e. Between Sumner St. & E. Truxtun Ave. — Beale Ave. & Brow�n St. Between Brundage Ln. & E. Belle Terrace St. — Union Ave. <3� Kincaid St. Between Camino Media & Kroll Wy. — Coffee Rd., west to the PG&E easement. Friday, March 25, 2011 Between Etchart Rd. & Pavilion Dr. -- Calloway Dr., west to i:he canal boundary. Between Norris Rd. & Olive Dr. — Calloway Dr. & Coffee Rd. Between Olive Dr. & Noriega Rd. — Calloway Dr. & Verdugo Ln. City areas between Coffee Rd./Riverlakes ext. & Allen Rd. — Hageman Rd. & RosedalE