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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/09/2020CC OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Oct. 9, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information COVID-19 Updates  The City’s Recreation & Parks Department is now offering a new COVID-19 Special Use Permit for churches, gyms and youth sports associations to use parts of City- operated parks for services, fitness classes and local sports activities. The SUP is similar to the COVID-19 Special Event Permits created for retail and restaurant operations to expand their operations. These permits will allow the organization to operate in the park while following the State-mandated guidelines for reducing the possibility of exposure to the coronavirus. There is no fee for applying for or receiving the SUP.  Playground equipment at City-operated parks have been re-opened to the public. The equipment had been off-limits to use since March 30 in order to limit the potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus. The Recreation & Parks Department has posted State- issued safety guidelines near the equipment which outline safe use.  The City’s new business assistance grant program, B-CARES, continues to help local businesses with thousands of dollars in grants already awarded. So far 50 businesses have been approved for the grants as of Friday, October 9, with 232 more still in some part of the review process. Staff are processing those applications as quickly as possible to get that important funding to the businesses that need it most. So far, $260,000 of the City’s $3 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds have been allocated to local businesses. The B-CARES grants – made available on September 21 – can be used by businesses for payroll, employee retention, to purchase Personal Protective Equipment, pay rent or mortgages and even paying vendor invoices. The City encourages any eligible local business to apply for the grant funding here. General Information Oct. 9, 2020 Page 2 Notable Items  Some exciting news as we get closer to construction wrapping up at the Brundage Lane Navigation Center: operator Mercy House moved in on Monday, with Program Manager Theo Dues accepting the keys from Bakersfield Homeless Principal Nina Carter (right)! In addition to settling in to the facility, Mercy House also started training its new staff. There is still some work to be done to have the facility ready for clients soon, with crews working hard both inside and outside (below). We’re still on track for a Fall 2020 opening!  Building doesn’t seem to be slowing down in Bakersfield. Almost twice as many permits for single family homes were issued last month compared to September 2019. This year, Development Services issued 158 such permits compared to 81 the year before. And there have been more total permits issued this year than last year up to the same point: 10,102 in 2020 so far vs. 9,923 through September 2019. Not only that, but residents are looking to keep cool or relax, as well: 54 permits for pools or spas were issued this past September, up from 27 the previous September. Development Services is excited about October’s potential as we wrap up the first full week of the month!  The City is honored to have been awarded the Silver Level Spotlight Award for Sustainability Best Practices from the Institute for Local Government. ILG held its annual Beacon Awards ceremony virtually on Thursday, October 8 due to the ongoing pandemic. Bakersfield received the award for its work to be more General Information Oct. 9, 2020 Page 3 environmentally friendly through a variety of projects, including, but not limited to: o Retrofitting nearly 13,000 streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs, saving almost $700,000 each year; o Requiring water-saving landscaping alternatives like synthetic turf, hardscaping and xeriscaping for new medians; o Engaging the public on a new Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Plan to encourage more green modes of transportation; o Offering an expedited residential solar energy permitting process and providing an inspection guide.  Check out this teamwork! The City and County worked together this week to help clean up illegally dumped materials in an alley behind the Kern Medical Office on Columbus Avenue. City Code Enforcement received the report about the dumped materials, which were located in the City’s jurisdiction (below, left). Because the area surrounding the facility is in Kern County’s jurisdiction, the City’s Code Enforcement Rapid Response Team coordinated with and the County’s Remove And Prevent Illegal Dumping (RAPID) Team. The two agencies removed 80 cubic yards of trash, using two grapple trucks and a rear- loader. The City’s Streets Division and the General Service Graffiti removal team also assisted in the clean-up efforts. It was a great example of interagency teamwork benefitting the community!  The Bakersfield Police Department was awarded nearly $500,000 in traffic safety grant funding to help fight impaired driving and make pedestrians and bike riders safer. The Department was awarded $407,500 for its Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. It also received $33,000 for its Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program. General Information Oct. 9, 2020 Page 4 These grants – awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety – will fund a variety of traffic safety programs, including DUI/drivers’ license checkpoints and community education presentations on traffic safety concerns such as distracted driving, DUI and bicycle and pedestrian safety.  The Bakersfield Fire Department is staying connected with our local schools by using Zoom! The crew from Fire Station 8 had the first opportunity to virtually join Mrs. Brandon’s kindergarten class at Colonel Howard Nichols Elementary on Wednesday, October 7 (right). The crew talked to the students about Stop, Drop and Roll, when to call 9-1-1, identifying smoke detectors in the house, and took them on a virtual tour of one of the fire engines with our firefighters.  One of the Recreation & Parks Department’s very own will be recognized for their hard work as the National Recreation and Park Association and streaming service Peacock host Treat Yo’ Self Day 2020 (October 13), a reference to the NBC show Parks & Rec. Carlos Garcia, the Park Services Coordinator for the Rapid Response Team, will be one of five parks and recreation employees from around the country to be interviewed by one of the show’s stars, Jim O’Heir (“Jerry Gergich”). The interview will be available on Peacock on October 13. Earlier this year Carlos was featured in the July issue of Parks & Recreation Magazine (pgs. 37 & 39) for his dedication to his job and commitment to his family at home.  The Bakersfield Animal Control unit’s monthly low-cost pet vaccine clinic returns at noon Saturday, October 10 at Central Park at Mill Creek (600 19th Street). There will be new protocols in place in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including a sign-in procedure and mandatory face-coverings or masks. This will be the first vaccination clinic held since the pandemic forced the postponement of the clinics back in March.  The Bakersfield Police Department will team up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency later this month for a Drug Take Back event. The event will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3501 Stockdale Highway, in the parking lot adjacent to Kaiser Permanente. These types of events offer a chance for the public to dispose of unneeded medicines that could otherwise be misused or abused. General Information Oct. 9, 2020 Page 5  Traffic Advisories  Nighttime freeway lane closures scheduled The schedule has been updated for nighttime closures on northbound State Route 99, the northbound State Route 99 on-ramp at Wible Road, and the northbound State Route 99-to-eastbound State Route 58 connector. On Sunday night, October 11, the two outside lanes will be closed on northbound State Route 99 between Belle Terrace and Brundage Lane, along with the ramps mentioned above, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. These closures are needed for equipment mobilization. On Thursday night, October 15, the outside northbound lane on State Route 99 between Ming Avenue and State Route 58, as well as the aforementioned ramps, will be closed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. These closures are needed for concrete placement. While work is underway, northbound-to-eastbound motorists will be detoured north to California Avenue, then will return via southbound State Route 99 to eastbound State Route 58. At least one northbound lane will remain open on both nights. 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.  Temporary overnight closure of South H Street A temporary overnight lane closure is planned on South H Street starting Monday, October 12. City of Bakersfield Public Works crews will be performing a pavement rehabilitation near the intersection of White Lane and South H Street, requiring the closure of South H Street between Pacheco Road and Planz Road from 10 p.m. Monday, October 12 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, October 13. Both the northbound and southbound lanes on South H Street will be closed to traffic, however, the eastbound and westbound lanes on White Lane will remain open. Traffic on southbound South H Street will be detoured to Hughes Lane while northbound traffic will be detoured to Monitor Street. Traffic delays are expected as a result and drivers are advised to use alternate routes or to allow extra travel time while driving in the area. The intersection is expected to be open to traffic in all directions by 6 a.m. Tuesday, October 13. Please note: Construction work may be postponed and rescheduled without notice due General Information Oct. 9, 2020 Page 6   to inclement weather or other unforeseen conditions. The City thanks the public for its patience during the completion of these road improvements. Reports  Recreation & Parks Department monthly report, September 2020.  WARN Notice from Chevron. Events  Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure: Caleb Henry and The Customs with Sammy Kay, 7 p.m. Friday, October 9.  Low-cost pet vaccine clinic at Central Park at Mill Creek, noon Saturday, October 10. Safety Guidelines for Playgrounds 1. Face masks over the mouth and nose are required for everyone 2 years of age and older with caregiver supervision at all times to ensure face mask use 2. Do not use the playground when different households are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or when the capacity limit of (number of children and adults) has been reached. 3. Caregivers must monitor to keep adults and children from different households at least 6 feet apart. 4. Consider coming on different times or days to avoid wait times and potential crowded times. 5. No eating or drinking in the playground area, to ensure face masks are worn at all times. 6. Wash or sanitize hands before and after use of the playground. 7. Elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions should avoid playground when others are present. 8. Limit visit to 30 minutes per day when others are present. *Above guidelines were issued by The California Department of Public Health. BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE Greg Terry, Chief of Police Robert Pair, Sergeant Public Information Officer 661-326-3803 rpair@bakersfieldpd.us The Bakersfield Police Department partners with our community to protect the lives and property of the people we serve. Compassion • Accountability • Professionalism For Immediate Release October 6th, 2020 California Office of Traffic Safety Grant Awards The Bakersfield Police Department has received two grant awards from the California Office of Traffic Safety. The Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant was awarded in the amount of $407,500 and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program grant was awarded in the amount of $33,000. This funding will allow us to continue and expand our traffic safety efforts within our community. These grant awards will fund a variety of traffic safety programs, including:  DUI/Driver’s License checkpoints.  Patrols with an emphasis on primary collision factor traffic violations such as: excessive speed, failure to yield the right of way, failure to stop at stop signs/signals, improper turning/lane changes.  Patrols with an emphasis on alcohol and drug-impaired driving prevention.  Patrols with an emphasis on awareness and education of California’s hands-free cell phone law.  Patrols with an emphasis on education of traffic rights for bicyclists and pedestrians.  Community education presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, DUI, speed, bicycle and pedestrian safety. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ALL PARK CLINICS ARE HELD FROM 9:00 AM TO NOON *ALL FEES/DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE BEFORE ATTENDING A CLINIC FOR POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS SCHEDULE. https://bakersfieldcity.us/gov/depts/animal_care_center/clinics.htm City of Bakersfield Animal Control 2020 Vaccination & Licensing Clinics January Saturday 1/11/20 The Park at Riverwalk 11200 Stockdale Hwy February Saturday 2/8/20 Jefferson Park 801 Bernard St. March Saturday 3/14/20 Beale Park 500 Oleander Ave. April Saturday 4/11/20 Wilson Park 2400 Wilson Rd. May Saturday 5/9/20 Lowell Park 800 4th St. June Saturday 6/13/20 Jastro Park 2900 Truxtun Ave July Saturday 7/11/20 Silver Creek Park 7011 Harris Rd. August Saturday 8/8/20 MLK Community Center 1000 S. Owens St.sav September Saturday 9/12/20 Beale Park 500 Oleander Ave October Saturday 10/10/20 Central Park at Mill Creek 600 19th St. November Saturday 11/14/20 Kroll Park 7500 Kroll Way December Saturday 12/12/20 Liberty Park 11225 Brimhall Rd. Vaccination & Licensing Information • California Law requires all dogs over the age of three months are vaccinated against the rabies virus and a license must be purchased within 30 days of vaccination. • At the low-cost park clinics, your dog can be vaccinated for a reduced fee. • A license must be purchased along with a rabies vaccine at the clinic. • If your dog has a current rabies vaccine, you may purchase a license only if you have a copy of the rabies certificate. Vaccine Fees: Rabies Vaccine - $10.00 DAPP Vaccine - $10.00 Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough) - $10.00 License Fees: Spayed or Neutered: 1 Year License - $15.00 3 year license - $30.00 Natural (NOT spayed or neutered): 1 Year License - $60.00 3 Year License - $120.00 Senior Rates (62 and older): Dog MUST be spayed or neutered for discount! 1 Year License - $5.00 3 Year License - $15.00 Temporary Licenses: Dog MUST be spayed or neutered within 60 days. 1 Year Temporary License - $15.00 1 Year Senior Temporary License - $5.00 Visit us on the web for up to date clinic information: https://bakersfieldcity.us/gov/depts/animal_care_center/clinics.htm BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE Greg Terry, Chief of Police Robert Pair, Sergeant Public Information Officer 661-326-3803 rpair@bakersfieldpd.us The Bakersfield Police Department partners with our community to protect the lives and property of the people we serve. Compassion • Accountability • Professionalism For Immediate Release October 6, 2020 On Saturday, October 24, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Bakersfield Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 19th opportunity in ten years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills to the disposal site located at: 3501 Stockdale Hwy- Parking lot adjacent to Kaiser Permanente (Site cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Last fall Kern County turned in 1,368 pounds of prescription drugs. Overall, in its 18 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 11.8 million pounds—approximately 5,900 tons— of pills. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 26 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com. You can now send an anonymous tip to the Bakersfield Police Department. Access the “Submit an Anonymous Tip” link on the Bakersfield Police Department homepage (www.bakersfieldpd.us) from your computer or internet enabled mobile device. The tip, which can include photographs and video, is sent to the police department and the sender remains completely anonymous. The same anonymous information can be sent by accessing www.p3tips.com. We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Department of Recreation and Parks Date: October 8, 2020 To: Christian Clegg, City Manager From: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks Subject: 2020 September Monthly Report ADMINISTRATION September Summary Highlights: During September, crews closed the spray parks and began cleaning playgrounds for re-opening at the end of the month. COVID-19 has impacted programs and facilities, yet staff is trying to open as many areas as permitted with proper protocols from the State of California Department of Health. Staff continues to offer lap swimming and swim clinics, afternoon snacks and games at Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, and post fun activities through #RectheHouse. Recreation staff worked with the City Attorney’s office and the City Manager’s office for entities to use the parks for classes and special events through a special permit process. Park crews began mass trimming in various wards across the City, making a huge difference in streetscapes. The Rapid Response Team made repairs and continued to clean up areas of major concern along the Kern River Parkway. Public Safety & Vital Services • Jefferson Park trash enclosure project. • Jastro Park restroom security door modifications. • Wayside Park restroom security door repairs. • Saunders Park women’s restroom security door repairs. • Dennison Avenue tumbleweed clean-up project. • Colony St. tumbleweed clean-up project. • Ming Avenue median tree replacement and irrigation repairs. • Windermere Park storage room door vandalism repairs. • Patriots Park storage room door modification at due to vandalism. • Wayside Park re-secured spray park pump room due to vandalism. • Sumner St. fire damage debris clean-up. Department of Recreation and Parks September 2020 Monthly Report Page 2 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. • Solera Park picnic table removal. • Sister Cities Iron fence vandalism repair project. • Kern River Homeless encampment clean-up. • Brundage Lane Navigation Center irrigation installation project. CIP/CDBG Project Updates: • Seasons Park Playground Renovation Project (PIF): Contractor CS Construction removed existing play equipment and sand out of both playground areas. Concrete footings for both 2-5 and 5-12 play equipment were installed. Concrete footings and rebar reinforcement for both large and small shade structure posts were installed at each playground, along with rooftop framework (shade fabric will be installed upon project completion). All play equipment for both 2-5 and 5-12 play areas was installed. Concrete foundation for PIP (poured in place) surfacing was installed by contractor CS Construction. PIP rubber surfacing (black buffing layer and color top wear coat) was installed by contractor Robertson Recreational Surfaces. Wall Repairs: In Progress: 1. NW corner of 7600 block of Spring Creek Loop @ Clear Mist Way 2. NW corner of Ming Avenue & Grand Lakes & NW corner Ming Avenue & Old River Road. (Raised planter – missing bricks) 3. SS of Panama Ln W/of Windrift Way 4. SE corner of Camino Media & Gosford 5. Akers & Jaspar Ave 6. Truxtun Ave & Chester Ave – Concrete Planter 7. 10500 block of Panama Ln, W/of Mountain Vista Completed: 1. Mountain Vista Road & Grand Lakes Avenue- north wall 2. S/W corner of Kern Canyon Rd & Mesa Marin Dr. 3. 7300 block of Stine Rd, S/of Berkshire Rd 4. Celebrations community @ River Run & Mountain Park PARKS UPDATES Area 1 • Mohawk tumbleweed removal and cleanup on 9/28/20 through 10/2/20 with the assistance of the Bakersfield Homeless Center. • Tree Maintenance – on 9/22/20, contractor removed tree on Coffee Road median North of Peanut Dr. due to damages to main line. Department of Recreation and Parks September 2020 Monthly Report Page 3 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Area 2 • Staff began scalping turf at Truxtun Ave, California Ave and Chester medians. • City Hall South – Staff cutback irrigation and cut turf low. • Weill Park – Streets Department assisted with watering trees due to irrigation damage. • PD – Staff trimmed shrubs and cleared weeds in back parking lot. • Westchester – Staff trimmed shrubs and cleared weeds at the median on Elm Street. • MLK Park – Staff pressure washed the playground after RRT cleared homeless from the area. Area 3 • On 9/24 and 9/25/20, staff pressure washed all playgrounds within parks located in Area 3. • On 9/26/20, staff removed tumbleweeds at the following locations: • The perimeter fence line at the Bakersfield Municipal Airport. • Animal Care Center Facility. Area 4 • KPSV – removed pressure pump and feature pump for repairs. • Contractor trimmed trees throughout Area 4. Area 6 • San Miguel Grove- Staff has been installing additional barriers to prevent people from driving on bike path and river bed. • Stockdale Ranch– Staff has been removing plant material in this area. Staff is in the process of changing out existing plant material to a variety that is easier to maintain. This project will be completed during the month of October. • Staff has been working along the bike path between Calloway and Stockdale Hwy. Staff is trimming trees and removing weeds that are encroaching onto Bike path. • Staff removed a tree on the bike path just East of Chester Ave. This tree was set on fire by vandals. • Staff has been taking a loader and a brush truck to uplands of the Kern River and San Miguel grove once a week to pick up large amounts of trash generated by homeless encampments. These areas have become increasingly difficult to maintain due to the amount of trash and vandalism. • Staff continues to spray round-up on streetscapes and easements in area 6. Trimming: • Trees Trimmed: 0 Clearance: 108 Removals: 6 RECREATION Total monthly attendance for all programs, reservations and volunteers combined for the month of September totaled 2,914 as compared to last year’s total of 66,789. Department of Recreation and Parks September 2020 Monthly Report Page 4 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Aquatics The City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department lap swimming program continues to be a great resource for physical health and mental well-being. Aquatic Programming & Attendance Overall aquatics monthly attendance for September was: 2,914; McMurtrey Aquatic Center monthly attendance for August was: 2,812. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are offering limited City run programming and are not offering rentals at this time Lap Swimming: • Staff continue to follow State and County COVID-19 guidelines for public swimming pool facilities. 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. Total Lap Swim visits for September was 2,712 which is 1,135 more lap swim visits than September 2019; this is a 72% increase in lap swim visits compared to the previous year. Youth Swim Clinics: • This training program took place at Silver Creek Pool, it is designed for proficient swimmers, ages 6 to 17 years of age. It provided participants with stroke development and daily workout plans. Participants were distanced by allowing only one child per lane and the instructor maintained 6 feet distance from participants. Total swim clinic participants for September was 17. Athletics Programming was nonexistent in September as a result of COVID-19 related precautions and orders in place. Sports staff spent the entire month of September working on the parks side of the department. Sports Programming • Autism on the Run – Registration began on September 1st which will run through the month of October. The virtual run can take place at any point prior to the end of October by participants. Once they have ran their desired distance, participants provide proof of the run and will then receive a medal and goodies. 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 408 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. Department of Recreation and Parks September 2020 Monthly Report Page 5 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. 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. COVID-19 SPECIAL USE PERMIT (SUP) • In the light of the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration issued by the City of Bakersfield on March 19, 2020, the City of Bakersfield Recreation & Parks Department has created a “COVID-19 Special Use Permit”, to help churches, fitness gyms, and sport associations comply with “social distancing” and other operating requirement mandated by the State. The process will provide businesses an opportunity to temporary operate in designated parks throughout the city. The new COVID-19 Special Use Permit process will be available through the duration of the City’s local Emergency Declaration; and it is designed to help businesses move outdoor quickly, while also ensuring the public’s health and safety. Businesses are responsible for compliance with any and all other federal, State, County orders and regulations. 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 September 2020 Monthly Report Page 6 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Dennison Avenue – Future Park Lot/Tumble Weed Clean-up Department of Recreation and Parks September 2020 Monthly Report Page 7 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. BRUNDAGE LANE NAVIGATION CENTER (BLNC) IRRIGATION MODIFICATION