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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2021CC OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Nov. 12, 2021 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information Notable Items  The Fifth Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled to take place Saturday, Nov. 27. The event, which will be open to the public, will take place at Centennial Plaza outside Mechanics Bank Arena starting at 4:30 p.m. Mayor Karen Goh and City Councilmembers are expected to speak during the event, which will feature a live nativity, music and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Christmas Tree Lighting will precede the Bakersfield Condors’ annual Teddy Bear Toss game, which starts at 7 p.m.  The Solid Waste Division will host a pair of pop-up large item drop-off events on Saturday, November 13 from 8 a.m. to noon. The events will be held at the parking lots of Mechanics Bank Arena (1001 Truxtun Avenue) and at Riverlakes Ranch Community Center (3825 Riverlakes Drive). These events are part of Bakersfield’s Clean City Initiative and are funded by the Public Safety & Vital Services (PSVS) Measure. General Information Nov. 12, 2021 Page 2 Last month’s pop-up events collected nearly 100,000 pounds of trash and recycling, the second most collected (by weight) since these events started last January. Since that time, the City has collected more than 526,000 pounds of trash at these events.  More than 130 animals received 236 vaccines at the monthly low-cost pet vaccination clinic held on Saturday, November 6, at Kroll Park (left). Microchips were also provided for 37 dogs and 96 licenses were also issued. The microchips are free to City residents who also get their pet licensed at the same time. The last clinic for 2021 is Saturday, Dec. 4 at Liberty Park (11225 Brimhall Road).  Construction will begin Monday on the Windsor Park (right) playground renovation project. Windsor Park is one of the 12 City parks benefiting from a $4 million rehabilitation project, made possible thanks to the Public Safety & Vital Services Measure. The playground area will be closed off at Windsor Park for construction. The upgrades at Windsor Park are expected to be complete before Christmas.  The McMurtrey Aquatic Center is scheduled to close for its annual maintenance and renovations later this month. It is scheduled to be closed Nov. 22, 2021 through Jan. 2, 2022. General Information Nov. 12, 2021 Page 3 Staffing Announcements  I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Gregg Strakaluse as the City of Bakersfield’s new Public Works Director! Gregg joins Bakersfield after spending the last 15 years as the Director of Streets & Stormwater Department for the City of Naples in Florida. He has experience in all areas of public works, focusing on transportation safety and mobility, community sustainability and resiliency, solid waste management, utilities, and natural resources. Gregg started his professional career in Bakersfield as an engineer with the County of Kern’s Public Works and Waste Management Departments. I’m very happy to be able to bring in a leader of Gregg’s caliber, with extensive Public Works experience. His addition will be vital as we continue utilizing forward-looking modernizations for our growing community. Gregg is expected to officially join the City in mid-January. Until then, Stuart Patteson will continue in his role as acting department director.  Earlier this week Assistant City Manager Chris Huot informed us he will be leaving the City of Bakersfield in early December. Chris joined the City in February 2008 as part of then brand-new, City-managed Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Visit Bakersfield). Chris moved to the City Manager’s Office in 2011 and promoted to Assistant City Manager in 2015. Chris has been responsible for several major projects, programs and initiatives, including: oversight of the City’s operating and capital budgets, development and implementation of Measure N, developing an updated master tax sharing agreement with the County of Kern, spearheading the Clean City Initiative and overseeing major capital improvement projects including the Fire Station 8 Rehabilitation Project and several projects at the Mechanics Bank Arena and Convention Center. We wish Chris the best as he transitions to his new role and thank him for his nearly 14 years of service to the Bakersfield community. General Information Nov. 12, 2021 Page 4 Traffic Advisories  Nighttime closure planned for Stockdale Highway at North Stine Road Nighttime closures have been scheduled for Stockdale Highway at North Stine Road. This roadway will be closed for three weeks beginning Wednesday, November 17, from Sunday through Thursday night. The closure will be from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on these days. The closure is needed for falsework removal. During the closure, residents can detour around the work zone by using McDonald Way or Real Road to enter or exit the neighborhood. All other traffic will be routed around the area using Oak Street and California Avenue. 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  City Council Agenda Highlights, Nov. 17, 2021.  Recreation & Parks Department Rapid Response Team weekly report, Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2021.  Development Services Department Code Enforcement Cotton Gins update Events  Pop-up large item drop-off events, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, November 13, at Mechanics Bank Arena (1001 Truxtun Avenue) and Riverlakes Ranch Community Center (3825 Riverlakes Drive).  Event Calendar for the Mechanics Bank Arena, Theater & Convention Center. AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS NOVEMBER 17, 2021 COUNCIL MEETING REGULAR MEETING – 3:30 p.m. REPORTS Item 4a. Downtown Corridor Enhancement Streetscape Master Plan (Ward 2) In September 2020, City Council approved an agreement with IBI Group to prepare the Downtown Corridor Enhancement Streetscape Master Plan. Since that time, the consultant reviewed the City's existing infrastructure; reviewed the Making Downtown Vision Plan; held a community outreach meeting in December 2020 with members of the public and downtown businesses; received feedback from the public from online surveys; engaged in dialogue and feedback with various departments within the City; finalized plant and tree pallets for the master plan; and prepared exhibits for the corridor enhancements along Chester Avenue and H Street. All of these items were integral in the final preparation and submittal of the master plan. Staff from the Public Works Department and the consultant will provide Council with a presentation on the Master Plan. REGULAR MEETING – 5:15 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR – AGREEMENTS Item 8o. Bakersfield Senior Center (Ward 1) Bakersfield Senior Center, Inc. (BSC) has provided services to the seniors of Bakersfield for more than 43 years. Its mission is to encourage older adults to participate in a variety of volunteer activities and programs. The City has provided Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to BSC since 2002. City Council appropriated $90,000 in CDBG funding for the Bakersfield Senior Center for eligible expenses including: employee salaries and benefits, professional fees, facility operational costs (such as office supplies, utilities, maintenance), and food and supplies for serving congregant meals on site. Staff recommends entering into an agreement with BSC in an amount not to exceed $90,000. Item 8q. Community Cat Program (All Wards) In response to high community demand and in partnership with local nonprofit Critters Without Litters (CWO), the City of Bakersfield will be piloting a Community Cat Program (CCP) for use by residents of the City of Bakersfield. Community Cat Programs, traditionally known as Trap, Neuter, & Return (TNR), aim to reduce the community cat population through spay and neuter services and then returning cats to their outdoor home. According to the ASPCA, a community cat is a term used to describe outdoor, unowned, free-roaming cats that can be friendly, feral, adults, kittens, healthy, sick, altered and/or unaltered. Funding for this program has been budgeted into the Bakersfield Police Department’s Animal Control budget for the 2022 fiscal year and will not require an additional appropriation. Staff recommend entering an agreement with Critters Without Litters in an amount not to exceed $60,000. REPORTS Item 11a. Enterprise Risk Assessment (All Wards) As a best practice for assessing organizational risk and performance, the City of Bakersfield included the completion of an enterprise risk assessment in the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 City Council Goals. Given the growth of the community and transitions in leadership positions, the timing for a citywide assessment has been deemed appropriate. A risk assessment is typically performed by an external firm conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the City’s major policies, procedures and internal controls. The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure the City is adhering to best practices across several key operational areas. The evaluation is intended to identify opportunities to improve policies and procedures and implement new policies, procedures or internal controls that reflect the size and operations of the City. From June 2021 to October 2021, risk assessment firm Moss Adams, LLC completed the enterprise risk assessment by conducting interviews, surveys, document reviews and analysis of City data. Moss Adams and staff will provide a summary of key findings to Council. Item 11b. Transformative Climate Communities Plan (Wards 1 & 2) The Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program, administered through the California Strategic Growth Council, aims to focus neighborhood efforts to revitalize a disadvantaged community. In its TCC Planning Grant application the City’s focus area is downtown and portions of surrounding historic neighborhoods of Old Town Kern, Oleander, Sunset, and Lakeview. The City’s goals for TCC funding are to continue Bakersfield revitalization efforts in its downtown and historic neighborhoods for their transformation into livable, sustainable, and thriving communities. TCC Planning Grant funding will facilitate the implementation of community plans and visions with a prioritized list of projects aligning with TCC strategies and objectives that reduce green-house gas (GHG) emissions and achieve public health, environmental, and economic benefits. Staff will be updating the Council on the project list developed through the Planning Grant process. The Draft TCC Plan will be available for public review and comment through Friday, December 3rd by visiting the project website bakersfieldtccplan.org. Approved: Chris Huot, Assistant City Manager CH Prepared: Anthony Valdez, Assistant to the City Manager cc: Department Heads City Manager’s File City Clerk’s File News Media File Recreation & Parks - RRT Weekly Report For the week of 10/31/2021-11/06/2021 City Council and/or Public Requests • None City Source Requests • None Projects Completed by RRT 1. San Miguel Grove (Parking Lot Gate Repair – Vandalism) • The RRT modified and re-secured the existing entry gate to the parking lot at San Miguel Grove, due to vandalism. 2. Beale Park (Restroom Security Gate Repair – Vandalism) • The RRT modified and re-secured both the men’s and women's restroom security gate hinges due to vandalism after park operating hours. 3. Beach Park (Restroom Security Gate Repair – Vandalism) • The RRT modified and re-secured both the men’s and women's restroom security gate hinges due to vandalism after park operating hours. Miscellaneous 1. Bike Path (Illegal Dumping/Trash Clean-Up) • The RRT removed illegal dumping and trash along the bike path from Enos Ln. to Manor St. 2. Kern River Parkway (Irrigation Repair) • The RRT repaired damaged irrigation lines and sprinkler heads west of Mohawk St. 3. Area 1 – Northwest (Irrigation Work Requests) • The RRT assisted Area 1 with completing irrigation work requests as needed due to personnel vacancies. 4. 1600 Truxtun Avenue (Office Furniture Re-location) • The RRT removed and relocated existing office furniture on the 3rd floor, as part of the new carpet installation project. • The RRT will continue to assist with removing/relocating furniture on the 3rd floor, as the contractors progress with the installation. 5. City Corporation Yard (Green Waste Removal) • The RRT removed and transported loads of green waste from dump site area to the Mt. Vernon Green Waste Facility. (Total weight 33,540Lbs) Ongoing Projects 1. Greystone Park (Trash Enclosure Modification) • The RRT will schedule fabrication and installation of a new cover on the existing trash enclosure. 2. McMurtrey Aquatics Center (Wrought Iron Fence Modification) • The RRT will schedule wrought iron fence modification on west side concession area to prevent illegal entry. 3. Mesa Marin Sports Complex (Perimeter Fence Windscreen Replacement) • The RRT will be completing replacement of the ball diamond fence windscreens at Field 4 once the additional screens arrive. Weekly Data: Assignment Locations Job Description Date Man Hours Equip/Hours Misc. Cost Weight Approx. lbs. Bike Path Illegal Dumping/Trash Removal 10/31/2021 11/02/2021 11/03/2021 11/03/2021 11/04/2021 11/5/2021 11/5/2021 10 5 20 20 20 20 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kern River Parkway Irrigation Repair 10/31/2021 11/01/2021 11/02/2021 11/03/2021 11/06/2021 10 30 20 13 20 5 22.5 10 6.5 10 0 0 $611.32 $36.53 0 0 0 0 0 0 Area 1 Irrigation Work Requests 10/31/2021 11/01/2021 11/03/2021 11/04/2021 11/05/2021 10 20 29 20 14 5 10 14.5 10 7 $199.23 $507.88 $194.34 $74.22 0 0 0 0 0 City Hall North Office Furniture Re-Location 11/02/2021 14 7 0 0 San Miguel Grove Parking Lot Entry Gate Repair 11/04/2021 20 10 $85.62 0 Beale Park Restroom Security Gate Repair 11/05/2021 6 3 $35.00 0 City Corp Yard Green Waste Removal 11/06/2021 14 14 0 33,540 lbs. Beach Park Restroom Security Gate Repair 11/6/2021 6 3 $35.00 0 Totals: Projects Completed: 8 351 hrs. 207.5 hrs. $1,779.14 33,540 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. Training • None See Attached Photos San Miguel Grove Parking Lot Gate Repair Beale Park Restroom Security Gate Repair Beach Park Restroom Security Gate Repair Development Services Department Better Code Enforcement News The Cotton Gins Abatement The primarily abandoned property at 1660 East California Avenue, commonly referred to as the “Cotton Gins,” has been an ongoing eyesore and blighted property for City staff and the local businesses in the area for an extended period of time. Since 2010, Code Enforcement has had 26 cases against the property, and has conducted dozens and dozens of inspections. Homeless encampments have been a constant enforcement issue on the property. The property owner is now in the process of demolition. As part of accompanying Code Enforcement support, many stolen vehicles were located on the site and Code Enforcement’s Rapid Response Team abated many encampments. Attached are some before and after photos for reference. Start of Abatement Work Results of Abatement Effort SEASON TICKET INFORMATION Bakersfield Condors 661-324-PUCK (7825) www.bakersfieldcondors.com Bakersfield Symphony 661-323-7928 www.BSOnow.org UPCOMING EVENTS On Sale Now May 25, 2022 – Matchbox Twenty 7:00 PM $66.50, $52.50, $42.50 On Sale Now $113.75 to $43.75 On Sale Now 7:00 PM June 16, 2022 – Chris Stapleton 7:00 PM $179.50 to $39.50 On Sale Now April 9, 2022 – Jo Koy 8:00 PM 7:00 PM On Sale Now On Sale Now 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM On Sale Now On Sale Now On Sale Now November 6 – Condors vs Ontario $40, $30, $25, $20, $19, $12 November 10 – Condors vs Stockton $40, $30, $25, $20, $19, $12 November 28 – Gabriel Iglesias $66.50, $46.50, $36.50 December 1 – Jeff Dunham $46.50 January 21, 2022 – JoJo Siwa $66.50, $46.50, $36.50 February 18, 2022 – Harlem Globetrotters $20 to $100 6:30 PM Buy tickets at www.mechanicsbankarena.com or AXS.com $20-$78 On Sale Now $85, $65, $50, $35 On Sale Now $225, $189, $125, $95, $70, $65, $45 On Sale 10/15February 20, 2022 – Los Temerarios 8:00 PM May 8. 2022 – Celtic Woman 3:00 PM $45, $35, $30, $20 On Sale NowNovember 6 – BSO: Mozart & More 6:00 PM December 3 – BSO: Home For The Holidays 6:00 PM November 14, 2021 – Cirque Musica Holiday 5:00 PM $45, $35, $30, $20 On Sale Now February 15, 2022 – Disney Princess The Concert 7:00 PM May 14 – Daniel Habif 7:00 PM$145, $125, $95, $55, $35 On Sale 10/16 $150, $59, $39 On Sale Now