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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/26/2016OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER February 26, 2016 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager AT Subject: General Information Notable Items Unfortunately, this has not been a good week for business in Bakersfield. Citing a change in business conditions, Xerox announced that approximately 510 employees will be laid off beginning in April 2016. In addition, due to the ongoing depressed oil market, Chevron and California Resources Corporation disclosed plans to layoff a total of more than 300 employees in and around Kern County. Attached you will find additional information about these layoffs. Ultimately, the result is less business and consumer spending on taxable goods and services in Bakersfield. City staff anticipates that the continual downsizing, primarily in oil-related industries, will be reflected in the City’s sales tax revenue. We will continue to monitor the economic conditions very closely and notify Council accordingly. Sales tax information for the fourth quarter of 2015 will be available in March. The public review and comment period for the 24th Street Improvement Project’s Re- circulated Draft Environmental Impact Report closed on February 25, 2015. TRIP received 79 separate submissions, with 61% writing specifically in favor of the project. Most of those in opposition to the project submitted multiple comments with each of their submissions. TRIP staff is already in the process of addressing the comments, which will be included in the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). Once TRIP staff has completed the FEIR, a Notice of Availability (NOA) will be issued, and we will propose the adoption of a Resolution for consideration by City Council. We anticipate this occurring by late spring. If City Council approves the FEIR, TRIP staff will file a Notice of Completion (NOC) and prepare a summary package for a return on the writ by the court. Good news! Bakersfield’s new tourism website (VisitBakersfield.com) has won an award from the international travel association, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). HSMAI awarded its Bronze Adrian Award for the category of website design. Attached you will find a press release that further describes the award and VisitBakersfield.com. General Information February 26, 2016 Page 2  The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Hoskings Interchange Project is scheduled for Friday, March 11th at 11:00 a.m. Please join us for this milestone event. Attached you will find additional information. Traffic and Other Road Advisories IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS WORK MAY BE RESCHEDULED TO A LATER DATE.  Long Traffic Delays Continue on State Route 178 Next Week Motorists should anticipate long delays next week when travelling on State Route 178 between Canteria Drive and Miramonte Drive or on Alfred Harrell Highway/Comanche Drive near the highway. The contractor for the State Route 178 Widening project plans to complete paving operations on Monday, February 29th between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Due to space constraints within this section of the highway, this work must be completed under one-way traffic control. The operations will be conducted between Masterson Street and Alfred Harrell Highway, but flagging personnel will also stop north-south traffic, as well as westbound traffic, at the State Route 178/Alfred Harrell Highway/Comanche Drive intersection. Traffic approaching this intersection from all directions will experience delays. Average wait times are expected to last up to 15 minutes throughout the day, but delays of up to 25 minutes may occur during high- traffic periods. Work on drainage crossings are scheduled from Tuesday, March 1st through Friday, March 4th, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This work will also be performed under one-way traffic control, but wait times are expected to average 10 minutes, and up to 15 minutes during heavy traffic periods. Motorists are encouraged to avoid this area during work hours if possible. Motorists who must travel through the area should adjust their travel plans to allow adequate time to reach their destinations. Please be courteous to other drivers and stay with the lead car while being escorted through the work area.  Nighttime Closures – Southbound State Route 99 and Rosedale Highway Off-ramp The southbound State Route 99/Rosedale Highway off-ramp and the outside southbound freeway lanes in this area are expected to be under nighttime lane closures next week for construction work. Motorists should anticipate that the closures will be in effect Sunday through Thursday nights, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. General Information February 26, 2016 Page 3 Southbound State Route 99 motorists who want to access Rosedale Highway or 24th Street will need to continue southbound and exit at California Avenue then return via northbound State Route 99 to the Rosedale Highway/24th Street exit.  Full Nighttime Freeway Closures on State Route 99/Panama Lane to State Route 119 Full nighttime freeway closures have been scheduled for State Route 99, between Panama Lane and State Route 119 (Taft Highway) for Tuesday, March 1st through Thursday, March 3rd. The closures are needed to allow the contractor for the State Route 99/Hosking Avenue Interchange Project to remove temporary concrete barrier rail, re-stripe the freeway, and erect overhead signage in advance of opening the new interchange. On Tuesday, March 1st, all northbound lanes between State Route 119 (Taft Highway) and Panama Lane will be closed from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The contractor expects to begin closing lanes at 9:00 p.m. and motorists should anticipate delays. During the full closure, northbound traffic will exit State Route 99 at State Route 119 and continue north on South H Street. Traffic can re-enter the freeway at Panama Lane. Southbound traffic will not be affected on Tuesday night and will continue on State Route 99. All lanes are expected to re-open in time for the morning commute. On Wednesday, March 2nd, all southbound lanes are expected to be closed, between Panama Lane and State Route 119 (Taft Highway), from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The contractor expects to start closing southbound lanes at 9:00 p.m. During the freeway closure, southbound traffic will exit State Route 99 at Panama Lane and continue southbound on South H Street. Motorists can re-enter the freeway at State Route 119. Northbound traffic will not be affected on Tuesday night and will continue on State Route 99. All lanes are expected to re-open in time for the morning commute. The closure of either direction may be needed on Thursday, March 3rd, to finish any uncompleted work from the previous nights. Hours would also be between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.  Northbound State Route 99/Ming Avenue Off-ramp Nighttime Closure Alternating Lane Closures on State Route 58 Nighttime concrete pours on the new retaining wall along State Route 99 are expected to require the nighttime closures of the northbound State Route 99 to Ming Avenue off-ramp Sunday night, February 28th through Thursday night, March 3rd. The ramp is expected to be closed between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Motorists travelling eastbound on State Route 58 during nighttime hours should stay alert to potential lane closures for various construction activities. The closures would be located between State Route 99 and Union Avenue, and would be in effect from Sunday through Thursday between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. General Information February 26, 2016 Page 4  State Route 99 and State Route 204 Lane and Ramp Closures Caltrans has scheduled lane and ramp closures on State Route 99 and State Route 204 this Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. Maintenance crews will be performing landscape work, tree trimming, and trash pick-up. The lane and ramp closures include the locations, as follows: o #4 lane and auxiliary lane of Northbound SR 99 at State Route 204 o Northbound State Route 204 to Northbound 99 (detour at Airport Drive) o On-ramps from Airport Drive to Northbound 204 and Northbound 99 Reports  Status Update – Downtown Bakersfield High Speed Rail Station Area Plan  Streets Division work schedule for the week of February 29nd Event Notifications  Event Calendar for Rabobank Arena Theater and Convention Center  Recreation and Parks o Bakersfield Southwest Baseball Opening Day Ceremonies start Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at Aera Park. Mayor Hall, Councilmember Smith, and Dianne Hoover (Director of Recreation and Parks) will speak to the crowd once all the teams have filed onto the field. This year, there are over 1,900 registered players making it the largest Pony League in the nation. After opening ceremonies, players can participate in a carnival, team pictures, and prize drawings. o “Walk with a Doc” at Jastro Park – see attachment  Saturday (February 27th) beginning at 9:00 a.m. o Roller Derby Tournament at Saunders Recreational Facility  Saturday (February 27th) from 4:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. o BFD Trout Fishing Derby @ The Park at River Walk  Saturday (March 5th) from 6:00 a.m. through 12:00 noon AT:cg cc: Department Heads Roberta Gafford, City Clerk WARN-Mayor/April 2014 Page 1 NOTICE AS REQUIRED BY THE WORKER ADJUSTMENT & RETRAINING NOTIFICATION (WARN) ACT February 22, 2016 VIA EMAIL Mayor Harvey Hall 1501 Truxtun Ave Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mayor Hall: The purpose of this letter is to inform you that some of the Xerox Business Services employee positions at the XEROX COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS, LLC, 401 34th St Bakersfield, CA 93301, will be permanently eliminated due to a change in business conditions. The terminations will begin to occur on or about April 22, 2016. A summary of these actions is provided below. Approximately 495 employees will be affected and all affected employees are being notified of the terminations concurrently. Please find attached a list of the positions that will be eliminated and the anticipated number of employees in each position. This Notice is intended to satisfy the requirements of the Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. Questions concerning the foregoing should be sent to me. Regards, Sarah Amoriell Human Resources 801-567-5432 Sarah Amoriell Sr. HR Consultant HR Governance Xerox Business Services 1303 Ridgeview Drive Lewisville, TX 75204 Sarah.Amoriell@xerox.com Tel: 801-567-5432 WARN-Mayor/April 2014 Page 2 Position Titles Number Impacted CUSTOMER CARE ASSISTANT 412 CUSTOMER CARE MANAGER I 2 CUSTOMER CARE SR ASST 19 CUSTOMER CARE SUPERVISOR 23 CUSTOMER CARE TRAINER 3 INF MGMT SPECIALIST 1 LEARNING & DEV 4 PROJECT ANALYST 1 QUALITY ASSURANCE 16 SERVICE DEL MGR (SDM) I 1 SYST CONSULTANT 11 WORKFORCE MGMT SPECIALIST 2 WARN-Mayor/April 2014 Page 1 NOTICE AS REQUIRED BY THE WORKER ADJUSTMENT & RETRAINING NOTIFICATION (WARN) ACT February 26, 2016 VIA EMAIL Mayor Harvey Hall 1501 Truxtun Ave Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mayor Hall: The purpose of this letter is to inform you that some of the Xerox Business Services employee positions at the XEROX BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC, 401 34th St Bakersfield, CA 93301, will be permanently eliminated due to a change in business conditions. The terminations will begin to occur on or about April 25, 2016. A summary of these actions is provided below. Approximately 15 employees will be affected and all affected employees are being notified of the terminations concurrently. Please find attached a list of the positions that will be eliminated and the anticipated number of employees in each position. This Notice is intended to satisfy the requirements of the Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. Questions concerning the foregoing should be sent to me. Regards, Sarah Amoriell Human Resources 801-567-5432 Sarah Amoriell Sr. HR Consultant HR Governance Xerox Business Services 1303 Ridgeview Drive Lewisville, TX 75204 Sarah.Amoriell@xerox.com Tel: 801-567-5432 WARN-Mayor/April 2014 Page 2 Position Titles Number Impacted CUSTOMER CARE ASSISTANT 14 CUSTOMER CARE TEAM COACH 1 Chevron, CRC plan more than 300 local oil layoffs BY JOHN COX jcox@bakersfield.com MONDAY, FEB 22, 2016 1:21 PM—updated 2 hours ago Casey Christie / The Californian An oil pump jack is hard at work around sunset next to the bike path in town. Page 1of 3Chevron, CRC plan more than 300 local oil layoffs -The Bakersfield Californian 2/23/2016http://www.bakersfield.com/News/Business/2016/02/22/CRC-lays-off-another-74-workers... The downturn in oil is forcing painful cuts at the top of the industry’s local food chain, as two of Kern’s biggest producers have disclosed plans to lay off a total of more than 300 workers in and around the county. Chevron said Monday it will let go 237 workers in the San Joaquin Valley as part of a previously announced plan to reduce payrolls this year by 4,000 positions companywide. Meanwhile, California Resources Corp. confirmed it will lay off 74 Bakersfield employees by April 17. The disclosures may represent a new stage in industry cutbacks. Previous reductions have by and large been borne by oil field service companies contracted by petroleum producers, which tend to employ highly trained and well-paid professionals that can be difficult to find and costly to hire when times are good. Both oil companies shed some local workers last year. Chevron laid off 56 in August, and CRC let go an undisclosed number through pink slips, voluntary retirements and attrition. Chevron said its layoffs are being carried out to retain “people with skills needed to achieve near- and long-term business objectives.” “In light of the current market environment, Chevron continues to take action by reducing expenses, increasing efficiencies and revising organizational structures,” it said in a written statement. It emphasized the company intends to “maintain a sustainable and competitive business in the San Joaquin Valley.” CRC, spun off in November 2014 by Occidental Petroleum Corp., informed local officials of its plans last week. It said anyone laid off before April 17 will be compensated at the person’s regular pay rate through that date. CRC said by email Monday the layoffs represent about 8 percent of its workforce and result from the continuing decline in prices. CRC resorts to layoffs(/News/Business/2015/10/01/CRC-resorts-to-layoffs.html) Oil company to cut 329 workers(/News/2015/11/30/Oil-7.html) Halliburton plans 54 local layoffs in third round of staffing cuts this year(/News/Business/2015/09/17/Halliburton-plans-54-local-layoffs-in-third-round-of-staffing-cuts-this-year.html) Local oil producer CRC offers retirement incentive as alternative to layoffs(/News/Business/2015/09/15/CRC-offers-retirement-incentives-to-reduce-need-for-layoffs-in-local-oil-fields.html) LINKED ARTICLES Page 2of 3Chevron, CRC plan more than 300 local oil layoffs -The Bakersfield Californian 2/23/2016http://www.bakersfield.com/News/Business/2016/02/22/CRC-lays-off-another-74-workers... “The layoff is economic and not performance-related,” it wrote. “We are a company that is committed to living within our means and the staff reductions align our workforce with our level of activity. ”We are proud of our employees’ efforts to reduce costs while providing secure, reliable and affordable energy for California by Californians.” At least 2,500 oil workers, possibly many more, have lost their jobs in the county since December 2014, six months into a steep slide in prices. Crude now sells in the $30 range, down from the $100 mark where it hovered for more than three years. Another of Kern’s biggest oil producers, Bakersfield-based Aera Energy LLC, said Monday it has managed to avoid layoffs by strategically leaving vacant certain positions that open. Aera spokeswoman Cindy Pollard said the employer of about 1,300 people currently has no layoff plans. Copyright ©2015 The Bakersfield Californian Page 3of 3Chevron, CRC plan more than 300 local oil layoffs -The Bakersfield Californian 2/23/2016http://www.bakersfield.com/News/Business/2016/02/22/CRC-lays-off-another-74-workers... FOR RELEASE FRIDAY FEBRUAY 26, 2016 Media Contact: Misty Glasco Marketing & Events Specialist Visit Bakersfield Office: (661) 852-7282 MGlasco@visitbakersfield.com www.VisitBakersfield.com February 26, 2016 Bakersfield Tourism Website VisitBakersfield.com Wins Design Award BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Bakersfield’s new tourism website has won an award from international travel association HSMAI, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International. HSMAI conveyed its Bronze Adrian Award to VisitBakersfield.com in the category of website design at an awards gala February 16. The black-tie event was held at the New York Marriott Marquis and was attended by more than 1,000 hospitality, travel, and tourism marketing executives. This year’s contest was one of the most competitive in the history of HSMAI, with more than 1,300 entries from around the world. Entries were judged by distinguished executives from all sectors of the industry. The new VisitBakersfield.com was created by Tempest Interactive Media, LLC. The website’s fresh, vibrant, and colorful appearance was specially designed to be viewed on a variety of platforms, including tablets, smart phones, and other mobile devices. Viewers of VisitBakersfield.com can see listings of Bakersfield restaurants, attractions, hotels, and shopping venues. It allows potential visitors to request Visitor Guides to be sent to them – in either digital or hard copy versions – and the Events Calendar provides a central location for events and entertainment to help visitors plan their trip to California’s ninth largest city. Meeting planners can submit their requirements for hosting an event in Bakersfield, and local hotels can request Visitor Guides and other information for their lobbies and rooms. The Adrian is the latest in a series of awards that Visit Bakersfield has earned recently. In 2015, SportsEvents Media Group named Visit Bakersfield as one of only three California winners of its 2015 Readers’ Choice Award. In 2014, Visit Bakersfield’s “Sports Venue Guide” received an Award of Merit from the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) in the Economic Development Promotions category. In 2013, Visit Bakersfield received the same award from CALED for its “Official Bakersfield Visitors Guide.” With its bold splashes of color and numerous photos throughout, the new VisitBakersfield.com reflects Bakersfield’s tag line that in Bakersfield there really is . . . More to Explore! # # # Week of February 29_2016_Work Schedule Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION – WORK SCHEDULE Week of February 29, 2016 – March 4, 2016 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Grading and Paving on Mc Cutchen Rd west side of Ashe Rd Maintenance Grind & Pave on Planz Rd between Wible Rd and So “H” St Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Video inspection of City owned Sewer & Storm lines to evaluate condition of pipes Repairing damaged sewer line found during video inspection Miscellaneous concrete repairs throughout the city Sidewalk installation at Sports Village Working on Brick repairs at Centennial Plaza (after Contractor is done) Concrete Repairs to various Bus Stops throughout City limits Concrete work in the area of California Ave to Verde from “A” St to Chester (HUD Area) Concrete improvements at Park at River Walk BHNA Demo work for New Seating at BHNA Park at River Walk Concrete work in the area of California Ave to Brundage from Union Ave to Railroad Tracts east of Martin Luther King Blvd (HUD Area) NOTE: If raining, there will be no street sweeping service and all street cleaning personnel will be assigned to cleaning plugged drains and part circle culverts. This also applies when a large number of street sweeper are in Fleet for repairs. Areas that have been missed during this time will be swept at the end of the month only when possible. Street Sweeping has not been able to complete sections of the schedule sweeping routes due to several sweepers broke down during the month of February. THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Week of February 29_2016_Work Schedule Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, February 29, 2016 Between Coffee Rd. & Verdugo Ln. – Brimhall Rd., south to the Kern River boundary. Cul-De-Sacs, west of Windsong St., between Brimhall Rd. & Thistlewood Ct. City areas between Rosedale Hwy. & Stockdale Hwy. – Verdugo Ln. to the west City Limit. Between Jenkins Rd. & Allen Rd. – Stockdale Hwy. & Birkenfeld Ave. Between Hosking Rd. & Astro Ave. – So. “H” St. & Union Ave. Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Between California Ave. & Brundage Ln. – Oak St. & Union Ave. Between Renfro Rd. & Jenkins Rd. – Stockdale Hwy. & Kern River Boundary. Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Between Panorama Dr. & Bernard St. -- Union Ave. & Loma Linda Dr. Between River Blvd. & E. Columbus St. – Panorama Dr. & Columbus St. Between College Ave. & Azalea Ave. – Mountain Dr. & Raval St. Between Ming Ave. & White Ln. – Allen Rd. & Buena Vista Rd. Thursday, March 3, 2016 City areas between Kentucky St. & Quincy St. – Owens St. & Virginia St. Between Union Ave. & Washington St. – E. Truxtun Ave. & Brundage Ln. Between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. – Panama Ln. & Pacheco Rd. (alignment) City areas between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. – Meadow Falls Dr. & Rose Creek Dr. Friday, March 4, 2016 Between Buena Vista Rd. & Allen Rd. – Harris Rd. & Panama Ln. Between Buena Vista Rd. & Mountain Vista Dr. – Panama Ln. & Birkshire Rd. Between 178 Hwy. & Paladino Dr. – W. Columbus St. & Morning Dr. City areas between Sterling Rd. & Morning Dr. – 178 Hwy. & College Ave. Between Valley St. & Lene Pl. -- 178 Hwy & Hickory Dr. Between 178 Hwy. & Reynard Rd. – Kern Canyon Rd. & McKenna St. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Joseph Dr. – McDonald Wy. & N. Stine Rd. BOX OFFICE HOURS Mon-Fri 10 AM - 5 PM Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM (Excluding Event Days) CHARGE-BY-PHONE 1-888-929-7849 GROUP SALES INFORMATION 661-852-7309 SEASON TICKET INFORMATION Bakersfield Condors 661-324-PUCK (7825) www.bakersfieldcondors.com Bakersfield Symphony 661-323-7928 www.BSOnow.org Bakersfield Community Concert Association 661-589-2478 www.bakersfieldcca.org UPCOMING EVENTS February 19 – Condors vs San Diego7:00 PM $35, $25, $20, $16, $12 On Sale Now February 20 – Condors vs Texas7:00 PM $35, $25, $20, $16, $12 On Sale Now February 23 – Condors vs San Antonio7:00 PM $35, $25, $20, $16, $12 On Sale Now February 26 – Condors vs San Jose7:00 PM $35, $25, $20, $16, $12 On Sale Now February 27 – Condors vs San Antonio7:00 PM $35, $25, $20, $16, $12 On Sale Now March 4 – CIF Wrestling Session I9:00 AM $21, $18, $15, $14, $13, $12, $11On Sale Now March 5 – CIF Wrestling Session II9:00 AM $23, $20, $17, $16, $15, $14, $12On Sale Now March 5 – CIF Wrestling Session III7:00 PM $25, $22, $19, $18, $17, $16, $13On Sale Now March 8 – Condors vs San Diego7:00 PM March 12 – Condors vs San Jose7:00 PM March 13 – Cage The Elephant 7:00 PM $39.50, $29.50 On Sale Now March 19 – Condors vs Stockton7:00 PM $35, $25, $20, $16, $12 On Sale Now $35, $25, $20, $16, $12 On Sale Now $35, $25, $20, $16, $12 On Sale Now March 10 – Ragtime: The Musical7:30 PM $55, $40, $30 On Sale Now March 12 – Symphony 7:30 PM $45, $35, $30, $20 On Sale Now March 16 – Crosswinds Trio 7:30 PM BCCA event March 25 – Slayer 7:30 PM $37.50 On Sale Now April 6 – Blue Man Group 7:30 PM $65, $50, $35 On Sale Now April 9 – Symphony 7:30 PM April 12 – Jason Coleman 7:30 PM BCCA event April 22 – Chris Stapleton 8:00 PM Sold Out April 25 – Joe Bonamassa 8:00 PM $125, $99, $89, $79, $69 On Sale Now April 27 & 28 – Shen Yun 7:30 PM $120, $110, $100, $80, $70, $60 On Sale Now May 14 – Symphony 7:30 PM May 17 – Celtic Woman 7:00 PM $105, $65, $45 On Sale Now $45, $35, $30, $20 On Sale Now $45, $35, $30, $20 On Sale Now www.rabobankarena.com - www.bhnamphitheatre.com Please join us! The Kern County Medical Society and Bakersfield City Parks and Recreation will co-host a Walk with a Doc. Walk with a Doc events promote healthy lifestyle and allow physicians to speak with community members about wellness and community members to ask physicians questions. The entire walking time is about 30 minutes and is appropriate for individuals of all fitness levels. Dr. Michelle Quiogue and Dr. Bradford Anderson will be the physicians participating. This event is free to attend. For more information contact the Kern County Medical Society at 661-325-9025. Saturday, February 27, 2016 9:00am Jastro Park 2900 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 We will meet on the tennis courts