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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/2020CC OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER May 15, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information COVID-19 Updates The transition to easing some of the state’s stay-at-home order continues this week. On Wednesday, May 14, the Bakersfield Recreation & Parks Department re-opened all of our pickleball and tennis courts to the public. That included removing the locks from fenced-in courts and re-installing the nets for play. However, social distancing and other public health guidelines remain in place, even for participants. Signs are up at the courts to remind visitors to keep at least six feet of distance from people other than those in your household, wash your hands frequently –especially after touching public surfaces – and don’t share equipment, including rackets, balls and towels. The City and Recreation & Parks Department are excited for these amenities to be made available again. Basketball courts, due to the close contact nature of the sport, remain off-limits until further notice. The City’s outdoor park facilities remain open to the public during this time, although we encourage visitors to continue to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control social distancing guideline when visiting those as well. Notable Items Today, May 15, is Peace Officers Memorial Day,set aside to honor all law enforcement officers who have died or been disabled in the line ofduty. The Bakersfield Police and Fire Departments held a ceremony on Truxtun Avenue on Thursday, May 14 to honor local officers (right). General Information May 15, 2020 Page 2 The City thanks law enforcement everywhere for their service and sacrifices made while protecting their communities. The City’s Code Enforcement Rapid Response Team recently responded to andcleaned up an encampment near the automall in southwest Bakersfield after receiving a report from Vice Mayor Chris Parlier. The RRT cleared 10 shopping carts fullof trash, as well as three totes worth of trash (before & after below). The Rapid Response Team also responded to a report of an encampment on the sidewalk on Chester Avenue near West Columbus Street, which was beginning to spill into the street. RRT, along with BPD are working with the property management company at the location to have signs installed in the area. The trash has been cleaned up (before & after below). The Bakersfield Animal Care Center has curtailed its hours during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the potential for spreading the virus, and this weekend the BACC is offering a FREE drive-thru ID tag event for local pet owners! Anyone interested can sign up on the BACC’s Facebook page by 5 p.m. Friday, May 15. Once registered, pet owners can come to the BACC at 201 Mt. Vernon Avenue on Saturday, May 16, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to receive their free ID tag. General Information May 15, 2020 Page 3 Progress is being made on theBakersfield Homeless Navigation Center at 1900 E. Brundage as City staff has been removing shelving and fire doors from the warehouse areas, as well as partition walls and fixtures in the restrooms so the asbestos flooring can be removed. Staff is also working on designing the layout for the sewer line upgrade for the new restrooms and laundry room. The roofing contractor has started in the southeast corner of the building and is applying a new built-up roofing. New curbing for the HVAC units on the roof has also been installed. Pressure washing on the exterior has begun in order to prepare it to be repainted. Calcot will occupy the offices until June. The next issue of the Bakersfield Homeless Navigation Center Newsletter is expected to be released next week. Traffic Advisories Lane closures planned for 24th Street Paving operations will be underway next week on 24th Street between the Kern River Bridge and C Street. These operations will require the closure of the inside eastbound and westbound traffic lanes within this area from Wednesday, May 20 through Friday, May 22. Work is expected to continue the following week on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27. The closures are expected to be in place between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., each day. One lane will remain open in each direction while work is underway. General Information May 15, 2020 Page 4 Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes or allow extra time to reach their destinations if they must travel through this section of 24th Street during this time period. Construction work may be postponed and rescheduled without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Please slow down and watch for construction workers and equipment while driving through the work zone. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any inconvenience this work may cause the traveling public. Reports Recreation & Parks Department’s monthly report for April 2020. Event Notifications Bakersfield Animal Care Center is hosting Operation ID Tag, Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Department of Recreation and Parks Safety Guidelines Tennis & Pickleball •FOLLOW THE CDC AND KERN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES AT ALL TIMES •DO NOT PLAY IF YOU ARE EXHIBITING ANY SYMPTOMS OF THE CORONA VIRUS: MILD TO SEVERE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS WITH FEVER, COUGH AND DIFFICULTY BREATHING, OR OTHER SYMPTOMS IDENTIFIED BY THE CDC OR A VULNERABLE OR AT RISK INDIVIDUAL. •WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER, OR USE A HAND SANITIZER IF SOAP AND WATER ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE, BEFORE GOING TO THE COURT. •DO NOT SHARE ANY EQUIPMENT (RACQUETS, TENNIS BALLS, WRISTBANDS, GRIPS, AND TOWELS) •STAY AT LEAST SIX FEET APART FROM OTHERS PLAYERS (SOCIAL DISTANCING) •DO NOT PLAY DOUBLES UNLESS YOUR PARTNER IS A MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD •REFRAIN FROM CONGREGATING BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER PLAY •NO LESSONS PERMITTED Play at own risk as the tennis courts are not sanitized THE BAKERSFIELD ANIMAL CARE CENTER IS PILOTING A FUN PROGRAM DUBBED “OPERATION I.D. TAG” May 14th, 2020 Bakersfield, CA – Due to the current closures with COVID-19, we thought we would allow residents to get an ID tag for their dog or cat free of charge drive-thru style on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be a limited scope event and only 50 tags will be available. Residents must sign up on our Facebook Page by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 15 in the Google Doc sheet to secure their pet tag reservation. After the initial sign up, we will engrave a tag for their pet. The owner must bring their dog or cat collar (No actual pets please), and remain in their car with a mask. Our staff will then run their tags out to them. The drive-thru will only be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will be located at 201 South Mt. Vernon, Bakersfield. “We wanted to pilot an I.D. program to hopefully reunite more lost pets with their owners. It is important to note that the shelter is still closed to non-essential business, and this is a tag only event”, stated Julie Johnson, Executive Director of the Bakersfield SPCA and City of Bakersfield Animal Care Center. Media Contact only: Julie Johnson 661-301-0153 -30- We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Department of Recreation and Parks Date: May 13, 2020 To: Christian Clegg, City Manager From: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks Subject: 2020 April Monthly Report ADMINISTRATION April Summary Highlights: Park staff along with the Rapid Response Team continued to maintain parks and streetscapes. Vandalism repairs to restrooms and storage areas remained constant throughout April. We work closely with Kern County Health Department, in the phased re-opening of facilities and programs due to COVID-19. Public Safety & Vital Services Completed Facility Worker Repairs on the following: • Irrigation modification at Lowell Park around new shade structure. • Pool cover removal and replacement at McMurtrey Aquatic Center. • New restroom security gate fabrication and installation at Wilson Park and Centennial Park. • Fabrication and installation of new security door and window covering at Jastro Park. • Repairs to restroom gate at Siemon Park and Wilson Park due to vandalism. • Repairs to storage room door and restroom gates at Martin Luther King Park due to vandalism. • Installation of bollard post into the driveway at Planz Park. • Clean-up of weeds, brush and trees at Oak overpass & 16th St. • Installation of additional concrete at shelter area and sidewalk in Lowell Park. CIP/CDBG Project Updates: • Kaiser Permanente Sports Village Phase 3 Fitness Equipment Project – Contractor S&B Sons installed (5) fabric shade sails. Base cover plates Department of Recreation and Parks April 2020 Monthly Report Page 2 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. were installed at all free-standing pieces of fitness equipment. DG material was also re-compacted to prepare for final inspection. • McMurtrey Aquatic Center Improvement Project (CDBG) – New Musco lighting and equipment were delivered. Pole light fixtures were replaced, electrical wiring was reconfigured, and new wall-mounted control cabinet was installed outside of electrical room. Light test was conducted by Musco representative, contractor Capital Valley Electric, and city staff. Project has been completed. Wall Repairs: In Progress: 1. Fountain Horse Statue 2. 8000 Block of Harris E/O Gosford 3. Westside of Wible Rd & South of Harris (Canal Wall) 4. 7500 Block of Olympia Dr & Telluride Ct.(Raised Planter) 5. 12300 Block of River Run Blvd E/O Sugar Leaf Ridge Dr. 6. Latina & Mohawk (S. San Lauren Sign-Stone Border trim down) 7. New Stine Rd & Ming Ave (North Side) 8. Ashe Rd & Club View Dr (Eastern Pre-Cast Wall) 9. S/W Corner Q St. & 18th St – Raised Planter 10. N/W Corner of College Ave. & O’Donnell Wy. 11. Stine Rd & Flicker Dr N/E corner 12. Ashe Rd & Ellis Ave 13. River Run & Mountain Park (Celebrations Community Monument Sign) Completed: 1. Old River Rd & Gazell Creek Lane 2. 3400 Block of Park View Dr. S/O White Lane (Median Pilaster) Reservations: • 0 park reservations for the month due to COVID-19 restrictions. PARKS UPDATES Area 1 • Staff performed herbicide applications throughout assignments as well as removal of low hanging branches from trees. • Soil sample performed as well as fertilizer and soil additive added to Northeast corner of Calloway and Olive Dr to aid plants that were yellowing due to high salinity and hydrophobic soil. Area 2 • Staff cleared weeds and tumbleweeds at City in the Hills, Mesa Marin and Solera Park assignments. • Fairfax Rd. North of Panorama Dr. – staff treated weeds and cleared tumbleweeds. Department of Recreation and Parks April 2020 Monthly Report Page 3 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. • Contractors planted trees at the following locations: • City in the Hills • Mesa/Tyner Ranch • Solera Park Area 5 • Staff trimmed at the following locations: • Trimmed the north side of White Ln. between Buena Vista and Allen Rd on March 10th. • Trimmed the north side of Ming Ave between Buena Vista to Allen Rd. Westside Parkway o On April 15th Staff applied herbicides between Mohawk Street and Calloway Drive (Westbound side), and all on/off ramps both East and Westbound sides. Area 6 • General services have started the process of removing the old benches at Spectrum Amphitheater to make way for new stadium seating. • Contractor has completed planting in Area 6. • BPD Driver Course NW - On April 8-9th Staff with the assistance of Area 6 and RRT performed a tumble weed cleanup project located on the North West corner of Watts Drive and Madison Street. Over 40,000 pounds of tumble weeds were removed and disposed of. Trimming: • Trees Trimmed: 34 Clearance: 55 Removals: 6 RECREATION Total monthly attendance for all programs, reservations and volunteers combined for the month of April totaled 0 (due to COVID-19 restrictions) as compared to last year’s total of 70,722. Aquatics/Attendance: 0 McMurtrey Aquatic Center was closed to the public the entire month of April in an effort to limit the community spread of COVID-19; there is no attendance to report for the month. In accordance with the governor’s Stay-At-Home Order, temporary employees did not work in the month and full-time aquatic staff were placed on administrative leave and worked on-site on occasion; the supervisor, telecommuted in April, completed tasks from home and worked on-site on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Canceled/Postponed April Activities Due to COVID-19: • Parent water safety workshops for parents with children ages 0 to 5 • Kern High School District swim team rental • New lifeguard certification training- (April 6th to 10th) • Pediatric CPR & first aid course • Summer swim program/grant open registration day Department of Recreation and Parks April 2020 Monthly Report Page 4 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. • Lap swimming/ aqua aerobics • Bakersfield Scuba rental • Kayaking class • Lifeguard in-service training Athletics/Attendance: 0 Overall attendance was zero as a result of COVID-19 measures in place. Attendance for April 2019 was 33,324. New Assignments • Sports staff are re-assigned to Parks Division. Recreation Coordinator – Erick Ruiz is now assisting with Maxicom audits/inventory and pool maintenance. Recreation Specialist, Anthony Bishop, is now assisting with aquatics related maintenance of spray parks and pools. Recreation Supervisor, Pilar Colunga, is now assisting Parks Area 1 and staff. Staff has a positive outlook on the change and has shown a willingness to contribute to the team that is Recreation and Parks. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center/Attendance: 0 Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the only activity still taking place at the center is the Free Meal Program for children 2 to 18 years of age. The meals are being provided by a Federal Grant through the Superintendent of Schools. • Meals are given out on a grab and go basis. • There were 445 meals given out for the month of April. • Staff also gave out over 100 bags with candy filled eggs to our participants picking up Free Meals instead of Springtime Egg Hunt. • Activities that were not held due to COVID-19 include the Springtime Egg Hunt, participation in the Great America Clean Up, 2 facility rentals and the Southeast Neighborhood Partnership meeting as well as the After School Program. Silver Creek Community Center/Saunders Recreational Facility - Attendance: 0 Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Silver Creek and Saunders were closed to the public the entire month of April in an effort to limit the community spread of COVID-19; there is no attendance to report for the month. Upcoming/Ongoing Events: • For additional activities and events offered through the Recreation and Parks Department, please visit the website at www.bakersfieldparks.us. Department of Recreation and Parks April 2020 Monthly Report Page 5 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Mc Murtrey Aquatic Center Pool Cover Replacement Lowell Park Irrigation Modification Department of Recreation and Parks April 2020 Monthly Report Page 6 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Jastro Park Storage Room Door Project Department of Recreation and Parks April 2020 Monthly Report Page 7 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Linear Park Phase 1&3 Tree Planting Project Qst and 16th Under-Path Brush, Trees and Weed Clean-Up