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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/2020CC OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Sept. 11, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information Notable Items  This morning the City honored the memory of the lives lost and affected by the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. with an annual 9/11 ceremony held at Bakersfield Fire Station 15 (below). This year’s event was different from those in the past due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the ceremony being held mostly virtually – it was streamed on the City’s and Bakersfield Fire Department’s Facebook pages. Those in attendance from the Police and Fire Departments also observed proper social distancing, maintaining six feet between one another. The ceremony included remarks from Bakersfield Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Mayor Karen Goh, Police Chief Greg Terry, Fire Chief Anthony Galagaza, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Cpl. Casey Schaubschlager.  The Summer edition of the Brundage Lane Navigation Center Community Update newsletter is out! This quarterly newsletter is intended to inform the public about General Information Sept. 11, 2020 Page 2 progress being made at the new facility. In this issue you’ll see how the BLNC will accommodate for new COVID-19 health and safety concerns, read a message from the shelter operator CEO, and you can learn about the City’s new Homeless Principal, Nina Carter. The BLNC continues to be on track for a Fall 2020 opening, and as always, you can track the progress of the facility here.  The City Council this week approved, by a unanimous 7-0 vote, an agreement with the Housing Authority of the County of Kern (HACK) to administer the City’s rental/mortgage assistance program for residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is funded by the City’s $5 million allocation of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds received from the State. The program is an effort by the City to help prevent residents from becoming homeless due to loss of income related to the pandemic.  The Bakersfield Fire Department leads the State in percentage of annual Haz-Mat Inspections with 1,320 completed out of 1,540 sites (86%) during FY 2019-20. While BFD achieved the highest percentage in the State, performance last year was actually down 10% due to sites shut-down by the pandemic and other inspections being temporarily deferred at any Health Care facilities in order to avoid contact with active contagion sites. Haz-Mat departments are collectively known statewide as Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA). More frequent inspections mean fewer violations occur and they are less severe when found. BFD’s inspection rate is more than twice the statewide average, yet has a quarter as many violations. When violations do incur fines, Bakersfield’s penalty amounts are also about a quarter of the statewide average fine. Increased Haz-Mat inspections in the City of Bakersfield have significantly reduced the risk of violations, fines, injuries and deaths.  The Bakersfield Fire Department continues to assist with battling various wildfires in California (right and below). Currently the department has assigned Type 1 OES engine (four personnel), a Type 3 engine (three personnel) and an Incident Management Team Member to wildfires. The Type 1 engine was sent to the Castle Fire, the Type 3 engine is assigned to the Creek Fire, and the Incident Management Team Member is assigned to the Red Salmon Fire, providing leadership and oversight there. General Information Sept. 11, 2020 Page 3  Progress is being made on the project to upgrade the Bakersfield Police Department’s firearms range on Truxtun Avenue (right). The project was undertaken to increase the lifespan of the facility, which was built in the 1940s. The improvements – which include constructing a pre- engineered building over the open-air shooting bays, as well as installing a modern baffle and trap system – will help reduce noise to neighboring property owners. It will also help modernize the facility which does not meet modern firearms range design and safety standards. This project is funded by the Public Safety & Vital Services Measure (Measure N).  City-operated spray parks will remain open through the weekend, closing for the season after Sunday, September 13. Most years the spray parks close for the summer after the Labor Day weekend, but due to expected hot temperatures, the Recreation & Parks Department made the decision to extend their operation another week.  The Visit Bakersfield-sponsored Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure concert series has been a success so far! Last week’s concert, featuring Hate Drugs with Aly Youranday at the Fox Theater (below), was streamed by more than 12,000 people! The free concerts are held each Friday through November 27. This week’s General Information Sept. 11, 2020 Page 4 performance will be by La Marcha and Rod P & Nu Standard at 7 p.m. The concerts are available for streaming using 23ABC’s OTT/APP stream, which is available on your phone, tablet, and/or television with an internet connection. It’s also available on ROKU, Amazon Firestick, and Apple TV. Download the 23ABC app here.  Bakersfield residents and businesses continue to conserve water! The City’s Water Resources Department reports that water users on the City’s domestic water system reduced water usage by 13.4% per person per day in August 2020 compared to pre- drought water usage during August 2013. That is despite adding residents and businesses over that time, meaning customers are being more efficient in their use! Traffic Advisories  Roadway reconstruction project on Panama Lane now underway On Friday, September 11, a project to reconstruct the roadway on Panama Lane between Mountain Vista Drive and Old River Road began. During this project, eastbound Panama Lane between Mountain Vista Drive and Old River Road will remain closed from 8 a.m. Friday, September 11 until 4 p.m. Sunday, September 27. Detours and alternate access points will be provided during the closure period. This project will likely result in traffic delays, so drivers are advised to use caution and to take alternate routes or allow extra travel time through this area. The City thanks the public for their patience during the construction of these improvements.  UPDATE: Freeway lane and ramp closures scheduled The schedule has been updated for nighttime lane closures on State Route 99 between State Route 58 and Ming Avenue. The contractor will be paving a new auxiliary lane for northbound-to-eastbound traffic on Sunday, September 13 and Wednesday, September 16. (Work was previously scheduled for Thursday night.) The paving operations require the closure of the two outside northbound lanes between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., each night. One northbound lane and the northbound State Route 99-to-eastbound State Route 58 connector will remain open to traffic while paving operations are underway. Construction schedules may be changed without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any inconvenience this work may cause the traveling public.  Final striping operations begin on 24th Street Final striping operations for the 24th Street corridor are scheduled to begin on Sunday General Information Sept. 11, 2020 Page 5   night, September 13. Work will be performed Sunday through Thursday nights between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The contractor will also install traffic detection loops during these hours. This work will require alternating lane closures on 23rd Street and 24th Street between the Kern River Bridge and the State Route 178 freeway. At least one lane will remain open to traffic in each direction while work is underway. Final striping is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete, though the majority of the work will be completed during a four-day period. Alternating lane closures continue during daytime hours between Oak Street and B Street/Bay Street for streetscaping. These lane closures may be in effect weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. through the end of September. At least one lane will remain open in each direction. Motorists are encouraged to avoid these work areas or allow extra time to reach their destinations if they must travel through the corridor during these time periods. This schedule may be changed 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.  Nighttime lane closure planned on California Avenue Nighttime road closures have been scheduled for California Avenue between Marella Way and Easton Drive on Monday, September 14 and Tuesday, September 15. The closures will affect both directions of travel and are expected to be in place between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., each night. The closures are needed for final falsework grading on the future eastbound Centennial Corridor bridge. Motorists can use Stockdale Highway or Truxtun Avenue to detour around the California Avenue construction zone while work is underway. Construction schedules may be changed without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any inconvenience this work may cause the traveling public. Reports  Bakersfield Homeless Navigation Center Community Update Newsletter, Summer.  Recreation & Parks Department Rapid Response Team Report, Sept. 1, 2020.  Recreation & Parks Department Monthly Report, August 2020. Brundage Lane Navigation Center Community Update Summer 2020 The City of Bakersfield has partnered with Kern Medical, Kern County Department of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and the Department of Human Services to provide complete wrap-around services to the 150 future clients of the Brundage Lane Navigation Center. The newly renovated BLNC “service provider wing” transforms over 7,900 square feet of former office space into four new medical exam rooms, modern space for mental health professionals and offices for on-site case workers. Kern Medical will use the new exam rooms to provide a full scope of Shelter Operator CEO Discusses Housing Placement Priority Mental Health, Medical and Human Services to Occupy 7,900 Sq. Ft. Service Provider Wing Less than three months after the City Council authorized the purchase of the Navigation Center site in January 2020, Bakersfield City Manager Christian Clegg declared a local emergency in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. The BLNC project management team quickly shifted gears to incorporate new and evolving homeless shelter operating requirements, in accordance with Center for Disease Control guidance, State guidance and the guidance of the County Health Officer. Working with shelter operator Mercy House, the City overhauled the physical project design and planned operations to integrate best practices for the health and safety of employees and clients. “Service Providers” continued on Page 2 City Considers COVID-19 in Revised Shelter Plans Mercy House was recently selected to be the operator of the Brundage Lane Navigation Center – and we could not be more excited! With your indulgence, allow me to very briefly introduce our work and share some of our initial thoughts about coming to Bakersfield. Mercy House currently operates programs in most of Southern California as well as Maricopa County, Arizona. Serving both individuals and families, we provide street outreach in about a dozen cities, operate several large-scale low barrier emergency shelters/navigation centers, and develop and support numerous housing facilities and programs. Personally, I have had the incredibly good fortune of serving as its original staff member, over 30 years ago – It has been quite a ride! Relationships and housing are the two main ideas that drive our work. As far as relationships go, we could not have asked for better partners than the city whose staff have been phenomenal. We are also eager to meet and learn from the many dedicated volunteers, churches, and service providers. Some of you have already reached out to us and embraced us as part of the team, for which we are so grateful. And finally on this note, it is important to us that we are seen as an asset to our neighbors. Although our work is important, it is simply not acceptable that it damage the prospects of local businesses, or in any way diminishes the quality of life of nearby neighborhoods. As to our work, housing is our primary focus, the true end of all that we do. We are strong proponents of “housing first” principles, and we measure the true City crews and contractors work to complete the BLNC ahead of the planned Fall 2020 Grand Opening By: Larry Haynes, CEO, Mercy House “COVID Plans” continued on Page 2 Continued on Page 2 Shelter Operator continued… The City Council recently created a Homeless Principal position to oversee Bakersfield’s unprecedented investments in homeless services as well as to secure additional public and private funding to end local homelessness. We welcome Nina Carter As Homeless Services Principal! Nina Carter began her career in planning and community engagement as a live-in house manager for a group home serving homeless mothers and their children. She went on to work for Kern County Public Health and then joined with the City of Bakersfield. Track our progress online at: www.bakersfieldcity.us/shelter healthcare services to residents including respite care, immunizations, access to primary health care, clinical pharmaceutical services and on-site health and wellness classes. Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services will be onsite to provide critical linkage to substance abuse treatment as well as individual, group and family behavioral health counseling. Kern Department of Human Services will have staff available onsite to screen residents for public programs such as Medi-Cal or other applicable benefits to get residents on their feet and ready to live independently. The wing includes space for classrooms, community meetings and other non-profit organizations such as the Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative. A third-party construction manager was hired to expedite completion of the project and the City dedicated staff to specifically prioritize ordering equipment sooner than anticipated to account for delays in the supply chain. The result was expanded dorms, updated polished concrete flooring throughout, a redesign of the kitchen and cafeteria, expanded outdoor space, an additional medical exam room, an expanded isolation area for sick residents, addition of touch-free features, updated HVAC system, etc. success of our programs, all of our programs, by how many people we place in housing. We are true believers – we honestly believe that homelessness ought not to be managed, but rather ended. We really do believe in ending homelessness, and we know that housing is the answer. Thank you for welcoming us to the Bakersfield community, and for allowing us to be a part of the team (because it will take all of us), that ends homelessness in Kern County! It is an honor to be a part of this good work. Service Providers continued… COVID Plans continued… In addition to the 150-bed BLNC, the City recently funded a 40-bed expansion at the Mission, a 40-bed expansion at the Bakersfield Homeless Center and helped fund the recently opened 150 bed County-led M Street Navigation Center. The City also plans to expand its partnership with Flood Ministries who specialize in communicating with homeless individuals and convincing them to get care. Nina has spent the past seven years working in community development for the City of Bakersfield where she has trained new staff, overseen the City’s emerging homeless programs and managed complex federal, state and local grant programs. Nina received her Bachelor’s Degree in Geophysics from University of California San Barbara and later a Master’s in Public Administration from National University. Bakersfield Homeless Principal, Nina Carter RRT Weekly Report For the week of 9/01/20-9/05/20 City Council and/or Public Requests • None City Source Requests • None Projects Completed by RRT 1. Jefferson Park (Trash enclosure project) • RRT built and installed 2 new trash enclosure doors which completed phase #1 for Jefferson Park trash enclosure project. Work began on 8/29/2020 and was completed on 9/4/2020. • The RRT will continue with phase #2 on the week of 9/9/2020. 2. Dennison Avenue (Future park lot clean-up) • RRT removed and cleaned-up the existing tumble weeds which were located on the empty future park lot on the south side of Dennison Avenue. • Trash loads were taken to Sports Village City dump site. Work began on 9/2/2020 and was completed on 9/4/2020 Miscellaneous 1. Saunders Park (security restroom door) • RRT re-secured the women’s restroom security door hasp, that was damaged and vandalized. Work began and was completed on 9/1/2020 2. Wayside Park (Spray park restroom security door) • RRT secured the spray park restroom door hasp that was damaged and vandalized. Work began and was completed on 9/1/2020 3. Jastro Park (Spray park restroom security door) • RRT re-secured the spray park restroom door hasp that was damaged and vandalized. Work began and was completed on 9/1/2020 4. Jefferson Park (Basketball rim and net installation) • RRT assisted area #2 with installing the basketball rims and nets that were removed as part of the Cov-19 Social distancing guide lines. Work began and was completed on 9/3/2020. 5. Jefferson Park (Irrigation modification) • RRT modified the irrigation around the new trash enclosure located on the northwest of Jefferson Park closer to king St. Work began and was completed on 9/1/2020 6. MLK and Lowell Park (Basket ball rim and net installation) • RRT installed the existing basketball rims and nets that were removed as part of the Cov-19 Social distancing guide lines. Work began and was completed on 9/5/2020. 7. Aera Park Baseball diamond fields. • RRT re-secured the baseball diamond fields with orange temp fencing as part of Cov-19 Social distancing guide lines. Work began and was completed on 9/5/2020. 8. Sport Village (Snack bar table tops.) • RRT bolted and secured 8 table tops that were re-powder coated at the snack bar area at Sport Village. Work began and was completed om 9/5/2020. 9. Silver Creek Park (Storage room, Vandalism) • RRT secured the storage room door located on the west side building, between the men’s and women’s restroom security gates due to vandalism. Work began and was completed on 9/5/2020. Ongoing Projects 1. Jastro Park (Spray park restrooms) • RRT will continue working on securing the spray park restrooms due to illegal encampments after park hours. Work will continue as time permits. 2. Panama Ln. and Wible Rd. • RRT will continue replacing the damaged block wall panels on the week of 9/9/2020 3. Jefferson Park (Trash enclosure project.) • RRT will continue with the new trash enclosure project on the week of 9/9/2020. Weekly Data: Assignment Locations Job Description Date Man Hours Equip/Hours Misc. Cost Weight Approx. lbs. Jefferson Park Trash enclosure project. 8/29/2020 Thru 9/4/2020 89 47.5 $665.70 0 Dennison Avenue Tumble weed clean-up. 9/2/2020 9/4/2020 56 56 $96.30 4,280 Lbs. Totals= 2 Projects Completed 145 103.5 $762.00 4,280 Lbs. Next Week City Source Request • None City Council and/or Public Request • None Priority Projects • RRT will continue to work with Code Enforcement regarding any illegal homeless encampment sites within City Parks, Streetscapes, and/or City buildings. • Jastro spray park restroom building modification. • Panama Ln. and Wible block wall repair project. • Jefferson Park trash enclosure project. • Calcutta irrigation project. Training • Attenuator Training, September 9,2020 See Attached Photos Dennison Avenue, future park lot tumble weed clean-up Before Tumble weed clean-up. \ After Tumble weed clean-up. Jefferson Park Phase #1 Trash enclosure project. We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Department of Recreation and Parks Date: September 11, 2020 To: Christian Clegg, City Manager From: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks Subject: 2020 August Monthly Report ADMINISTRATION August Summary Highlights: Recreation and Parks Staff continue to maintain streetscapes and the City’s parks during COVID-19. While organized recreation activities remain limited, lap swimming and providing opportunities for families at home are available. Public Safety & Vital Services • Saunders Park/Pavilion Electrical Box Modification due to vandalism. • Wible Rd block wall repairs. • Patriots Park storage room door modification at due to vandalism. • Wayside Park re-secured spray park pump room due to vandalism. • Daniel St. homeless encampment clean-up. • Dry brush and tumbleweed clean-up on the Westside Parkway. • Pressure wash and repaint park signs at Central Park. • Pressure wash and repaint park signs at Amberton Park. • Bike Path bollard post repair and replacement project. • Mill Creek illegal encampments and trash clean-up. • Martin Luther King Park illegal encampments and trash clean-up. • Jefferson Park concrete demo project for trash bin enclosures. • Bollard post installation at trash bin enclosure area. CIP/CDBG Project Updates: • Linnell-Brahma Park Project (Prop 68 Grant) - Two proposal were submitted to the RFP with Ruettgers & Shuller Civil Engineers submitting the lowest proposal. We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Wall Repairs: Completed: 1. Centennial Plaza Fountain - Horse Statue 2. NW corner of 7600 block of Spring Creek Loop @ Clear Mist Way 3. S/W corner of Kern Canyon Rd & Mesa Marin Dr. 4. NW corner of Ming Avenue & Grand Lakes & NW corner Ming Avenue & Old River Road. (Raised planter – missing bricks) 5. Mountain Vista Road & Grand Lakes Avenue- north wall PARKS UPDATES Area 2 • BLNC – Staff lifted tree limbs on the Redwoods on west end. • BLNC – Staff treated the site for weeds and applied pre-emergent. • Mechanics Bank Theater – Staff cleared weeds/debris around cooling towers. • Redbank Rd. – Staff trimmed shrubs and cleared weeds at north side. • PD – Staff trimmed shrubs and cleared weeds in back parking lot. • Westchester – Staff trimmed shrubs and cleared weeds in the median on Elm St. • MLK Park – Staff pressure washed and dis-infected the playground after RRT cleared homeless from the area. Area 3 • Staff, along with BHC crews, removed weeds on the Westside Parkway at the following locations: • Northbound off ram at Calloway Dr. • North side on/off ramps at Calloway Dr. • Westbound on ramp at Calloway Dr. Area 6 • San Miguel Grove Clean Up – Staff cleaned evasive plant material and weeds from the grove. • Stockdale Ranch– Staff trimmed and removed plant material in this area. Staff is in the process of changing out existing plant material to a variety that is easier to maintain. • Staff has been working along the bike path between Allen and Enos lane, trimming trees and removing weeds that are encroaching onto Bike path. • Staff trimmed all vegetation on the Bike path East of Manor (below the bluffs). A total of 6,680 pounds of green waste was removed from this location. • Staff continues to clean area at Uplands of the Kern River and San Miguel Grove once a week to remove large amounts of trash generated by homeless encampments. • All broken glass windows at East Restrooms at TPRW have been replaced due to vandalism. Trimming: • Trees Trimmed: 66 Clearance: 79 Removals: 2 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. RECREATION Total monthly attendance for all programs, reservations and volunteers combined for the month of August totaled 3,072 as compared to last year’s total of 56,655. Aquatics The City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department continues to meet health and wellness needs through its lap swimming and swim clinic programs at City pools. Aquatic Programming & Attendance Overall aquatics monthly attendance for August was: 3,072; McMurtrey Aquatic Center monthly attendance was 2,952. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, programming is limited and no rentals at this time. Lap Swimming: o A total of 8 time slots are available Monday through Thursday, 5 time slots on Fridays and 3 time slots on Saturdays. A Family Lap swim option is also available Saturdays at 11 a.m. The demand significantly increased for lap swim times in August; staff moved quickly and expanded swim options to address the need. With the high volume of lap swim reservation calls coming in each day at 8 a.m., staff is researching online registration options to create an easier reservation process. o Total Lap Swim Visits for August: 2,723; this was 875 more lap swim visits than the previous month. Youth Swim Clinics o This new program is designed for proficient swimmers, ages 6 to 17 years, and provides participants with stroke development and daily workout plans. Participants are distanced by allowing only one child per lane and the instructor is distanced 6 feet from participants. o Total Swim Clinic Participants for August: 56 (Jefferson 6, McMurtrey 16 and Silver Creek 34.) Athletics • Programming was nonexistent in August as a result of COVID-19 related closures. Sports staff spent the month working on parks assignments throughout the department. Sports Programming • 5K Autism on the Run – This annual event is a partnership with League of Dreams. The event will occur virtually this year and registration opens September 1. Participants will run the 5k on their own and send in proof of the distance to race organizers. Participants will We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. receive a shirt, goodie bag and a medallion that fits like a puzzle piece into last year’s medallion. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center • Due to COVID-19, participants are not permitted in the center at this time. • Superintendent of Schools Free Meal Program: o 362 Grab N Go meals were distributed to children ages 2-18, Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. • #RectheHouse – Staff recorded different videos showcasing a variety of games/activities children can do at home, within guidelines of social distancing. Staff from various departments are assisting in demonstrating the fun. Saunders Recreational Facility/Silver Creek Community Center • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Silver Creek and Saunders were closed to the public the entire month of August. 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 August 2020 Monthly Report Page 5 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Wible Rd. Blockwall Repairs Daniel St. Empty Lot – Illegal Trash and Homeless Encampment Clean-up Department of Recreation and Parks August 2020 Monthly Report Page 6 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.