HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/29/2020CC / CH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
May 29, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager
SUBJECT: General Information
COVID-19 Updates
Governor Gavin Newsom this week announced guidelines for the re-opening of
houses of worship as well as hair salons and barbershops. While the City is excited for
these new developments, it’s important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic
is not over yet and everyone should continue to take precautions to make sure they
and their friends and family remain safe and healthy.
That includes maintaining proper social distancing of at least six feet while in public;
wearing facemasks or coverings while in public and social distancing isn’t possible;
washing your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds; staying home if you are
sick and avoiding sick people; avoid large crowds of people or gatherings.
While the City has not mandated the wearing of facemasks or coverings, some
private businesses have implemented their own facemask policies or have been
required by the state to use them while providing services. We encourage all residents
to comply with those policies while receiving services. Not doing so could result in
denial of service by the business.
It is important that everyone continue to do their part with following the health and
safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, California Department of
Public Health and the Kern County Department of Public Health. The better we all do,
the sooner the pandemic will be over and we can move forward.
Notable Items
This week department heads gave a first round of Fiscal Year 2020-21 budgetpresentations to the City Council. The Council heard presentations from sixdepartments. The presentations included 29 new sworn officers in the Bakersfield
Police Department as the City continues to work toward hiring 100 officers over a
three-year period. Another 13 positions in the Bakersfield Fire Department were also
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May 29, 2020
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proposed, as well as $7.3 million in spending for new affordable housing. Staff also proposed the addition of 11 new Rapid Response Team members through the Public
Safety & Vital Services Measure (Measure N). The Rapid Response Teams in Code Enforcement and the Recreation & Parks Department have been very successful and
efficient, with strong public support since their launch late in 2019.
These presentations can be viewed here.
A second Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget workshop for the remaining City departments is planned for June 8, and a public hearing on the budget proposal is planned for June
10 ahead of the Council’s expected adoption of the budget on June 24.
As always, anyone can view the City’s budget – revenues and expenditures down to a minute level – through the City’s Open Budget tool.
The Bakersfield Fire Department
this week performed some swift
water rescue training (right) as
the weather is warming up.
Starting with the Memorial Day
holiday, many people begin to
visit the Kern River, and the
department wants to remind
everyone about the dangers of
the river. Their best advice:
“Stay out, stay alive.”
Congratulations to the
Recreation & Parks Department
as Bakersfield’s parks wereranked 63rd in the nation thisyear by the Trust for Public Land! Our dog parks scored in the 80th percentile in the
U.S., with 2.1 per 100,000 people! Bakersfield spray parks also ranked high, in the 79th
percentile with 3.4 per capita. The City received matching scores of 56 (out of 100)
for acreage (amount of land dedicated to parks) and amenities offered (basketball
hoops, playgrounds and dog parks).
Crews continue to work onupgrading the seating at theSpectrum Amphitheatre at thePark at River Walk (right). The old
bench-style seats have beenremoved and Recreation & Parks
crews were out clearing the siteto prepare it for the installation of
the new chair-style seats, whichstarted on Thursday, May 28.
Over the years, people who
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May 29, 2020
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have attended events at the amphitheater have complained that the seating was uncomfortable and they could not enjoy the concerts.
Some exciting news as the dog park at Bridle Creek Park on Pine Flat Drive in
southwest Bakersfield is now open! The two-acre dog park (below) has three benches,
two water fountains (with dog bowl fountains attached). Bridle Creek Park – built by
S&S Homes and maintained by the City’s Recreation & Parks Department – is
completed, but unfortunately other amenities – including the playground, group
picnic area and basketball courts – remain off-limits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City hopes to open these other features soon as we work with our partners at the
Kern County Department of Public Health and the state.
In the meantime, the dog park is available for use by the public!
Traffic Advisories
Road closures: State Route 99, Wible Road, and Real Road
A nighttime freeway closure is planned for State Route 99 between Stockdale Highway
and Ming Avenue on Monday, June 1. The full closure is expected to be in effect
between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. and will affect northbound and southbound
traffic, as well as the westbound State Route 58 to southbound State Route 99 loop ramp.
Both directions of Wible Road will also be closed during these hours as the bridge spans
above the roadway.
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May 29, 2020
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Northbound and southbound traffic will be detoured around the closure via State Route
58 and Union Avenue. The freeway closure is needed to prepare for the dismantling of falsework from the new bridge widening over State Route 99.
Nighttime road closures have also been scheduled for Real Road from Sunday, May 31
through Tuesday, June 2. The closures are expected to be in place between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., each night, and are needed to remove falsework from the new bridge
crossing Real Road.
Motorists can use Wible Road to travel between Stockdale Highway and Ming Avenue on Sunday and Tuesday. On Monday night, motorists will be detoured around the work
area via MacDonald Way and Belle Terrace to accommodate the work over Wible Road.
This schedule may be changed without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Please
slow down and pay attention to construction and detour signage while driving through
the area. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any inconvenience
this work may cause the traveling public.
Traffic control at State Route 43 and Stockdale Highway
Traffic control has been scheduled for the State Route 43 (Enos Lane) and Stockdale
Highway roundabout on Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2 for the removal of
temporary concrete barrier rail and final paving of the roadway. Flagging personnel will
be stopping traffic for up to 15 minutes at a time between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
each day.
These operations will affect all directions of travel. Motorists are encouraged to use
alternate routes or allow extra time to reach their destinations if they must travel along
through this intersection during this time period.
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.
UPDATE: Slope paving continues along Wible Road
The paving schedule has been updated. Paving previously scheduled for Wednesday
and Friday this week has been cancelled.
Slope paving will continue along Wible Road, requiring traffic control between Brundage
Lane and Belle Terrace on Tuesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 4. Flagging personnel will
need to stop vehicles for up to five minutes at a time from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. This will affect
both directions of traffic.
Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes or allow extra time to reach their destinations if they must travel along this section of Wible Road during this time period.
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May 29, 2020
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Work may be rescheduled without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Please slow
down and watch for construction workers and equipment while driving in the vicinity of this work. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any inconvenience
this work may cause the traveling public. Reports
Quarterly Sales Tax Update, May 2020.
S:\Accounting\RANDY\Sales Tax\Memo - sales tax memo May 2020 - 1st quarter 2020.docx
MEMORANDUM
TO: Christian Clegg, City Manager FROM: Randy McKeegan, Finance Director / RM
DATE: May 21, 2020
SUBJECT: Quarterly Sales Tax Update
The City received our most recent quarterly sales tax reports, which reflects the activity
and sales during the months of January, February, & March 2020 (1st Quarter-2020). The
quarterly and annual trend information is as follows:
Quarterly data
Comparing the most recent quarter with the same quarter last year –
negative (-) 22.01 %.
Annualized data
Comparing the most recent four quarters with the prior four quarters –
negative (-) 2.65 %.
As expected, the results from the 1st quarter of 2020 show a decrease from the prior year
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the final data for the quarter is compiled
we will provide detail by industry and communicate any other anomalies that could
have adversely affected the quarterly allocation.
These results are related to our historic Bradley Burns 1% sales tax revenues and do not
include the Public Safety and Vital Services Sales (PSVS) Tax measure which are reported
separately.
Public Safety and Vital Services Revenue
The City has received four quarters of revenue allocations for the PSVS sales tax and
while the first three quarters showed continued growth, the most recent quarter shows
a decrease from the City’s prior allocations. Comparisons to prior year amounts are not
available with this source of funds but, like the Bradley-Burns tax, this decrease was
expected because of the COVID-19 crisis. With that said, these revenue drops were
deeper than expected.
Sales Tax revenue totals for the 1st quarter of 2020 had larger decreases than anticipated
based on the estimates generated in cooperation with the City’s sales tax revenue
consultant. Our sales tax consultant will receive more detailed information on the
current allocation in a few weeks but we have asked for a more immediate response to
understand what would have caused more of a drop that expected. There could have
been a number of other administrative factors that compounded the expected decline
caused by the pandemic.
• Effects of COVID-19 on local businesses could have had adverse impact on cash flow preventing timely payment to the State.
• More businesses could have taken advantage of the sales tax deferment than
anticipated.
• Problems at the State level could have delayed processing sales tax returns.
Once more information is received and analyzed, possible adjustments for both the
current year budget and the budget we are in the midst of finalizing for the 2020-21
fiscal year may be forthcoming.
We continue to work with our sales tax consultant to provide more detail related to
industry group data for both the Bradley Burns and PSVS allocations. A breakdown of
industry information for the 3rd and 4th Quarter of 2019 is included for your view. As stated
previously, industry data for the recently completed quarter will be available next month
and included in the next quarterly sales tax update.
Attachments
cc: Chris Huot, Assistant City Manager
Sales Quarter prior Sales Quarter most recent
Reporting Period four quarters Reporting Period four quarters % change
current quarter report
April, May, June 2018 15,487,935$ April, May, June 2019 18,321,682$ 18.30%
July, Aug., Sept. 2018 21,373,237$ July, Aug., Sept. 2019 18,682,042$ -12.59%
Oct., Nov., Dec. 2018 19,104,818$ Oct., Nov., Dec. 2019 20,988,724$ 9.86%
Jan., Feb., Mar. 2019 18,126,047$ Jan., Feb., Mar. 2020 14,136,153$ -22.01%
Total 74,092,037$ Total 72,128,601$ -2.65%
Prior quarter report
Jan., Feb., Mar. 2018 15,826,157$ Jan., Feb., Mar. 2019 18,126,047$ 14.53%
April, May, June 2018 16,321,835$ April, May, June 2019 18,321,682$ 12.25%
July, Aug., Sept. 2018 20,539,337$ July, Aug., Sept. 2019 18,682,042$ -9.04%
Oct., Nov., Dec. 2018 19,104,818$ Oct., Nov., Dec. 2019 20,988,724$ 9.86%
Total 71,792,147$ Total 76,118,495$ 6.03%
City of Bakersfield
Sales Tax (Bradley-Burns)
Comparison of most recent four quarters
to the prior four quarters by quarterly reporting period
S:\Accounting\RANDY\Sales Tax\Sales Tax Wksht - EXHB2A 1st Qtr 2020 5/22/2020
Sales Quarter Sales Tax
Reporting Period Allocated
April, May, June 2019 17,135,994$
July, Aug., Sept. 2019 18,660,556$
Oct., Nov., Dec. 2019 20,848,714$
Jan., Feb., Mar. 2020 15,351,430$
Total 71,996,694$
City of Bakersfield
PSVS Sales Tax
Quarterly Allocations
S:\Accounting\RANDY\Sales Tax\Sales Tax Wksht - EXHB2A 1st Qtr 2020
3rd Qtr 2018 3rd Qtr 2019 % + / -4th Qtr 2018 4th Qtr 2019 % + / -
Auto Sales - New 2,512,737 2,543,135 1.21%2,507,874 2,481,866 -1.04%
Service Stations 1,430,127 1,439,787 0.68%1,326,321 1,397,939 5.40%
Other Transportation 915,402 1,074,432 17.37%878,496 1,006,033 14.52%
Department Stores 2,152,116 2,210,978 2.74%2,946,196 2,934,889 -0.38%
Miscellaneous Retail 999,684 854,285 -14.54%1,137,401 1,032,023 -9.26%
Other General Retail 1,477,704 1,581,930 7.05%1,763,833 1,878,805 6.52%
Restaurants 1,908,899 2,060,825 7.96%1,954,939 2,121,373 8.51%
Other Food Products 643,872 669,570 3.99%627,464 713,370 13.69%
Construction 1,580,464 1,661,945 5.16%1,619,201 1,574,836 -2.74%
Business to Business 1,737,026 1,959,647 12.82%1,715,232 2,046,115 19.29%
Other Miscellaneous 262,983 126,278 -51.98%104,031 129,458 24.44%
County Pool Allocation 3,180,558 2,456,772 -22.76%2,286,694 3,192,173 39.60%
Total Sales Tax 18,801,572 18,639,584 -0.86%18,867,682 20,508,880 8.70%
City of Bakersfield - Review of Sales Tax Data by Industry
Third Quarter Comparison Fourth Quarter Comparison
Bradley-Burns 1%
S:\Accounting\RANDY\Sales Tax\sales tax report by industry 3rd & 4th qtr 2018_2019straight - no combo 5/22/20207:35 AM