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Home My WebLink About09/30/2022 Bakersfield Notes The Sound of What’s Happening Sept. 30, 2022 In this Issue: > Ad Hoc Committee visits senior center > BPD’s new academy kicks off > Professional development conference at MLK The Bakersfield City Council’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Homelessness visited a senior affordable housing complex on Tuesday, Sept. 27, as part of its ongoing work to review the City’s efforts to address the homeless crisis. Committee members Ken Weir (Vice Mayor and Committee chair, Ward 3) and Patty Gray (Ward 6) received a report from City staff during the meeting at the Pinewood Glen Retirement Community, a 99-unit affordable senior living facility owned and operated by the Housing Authority of the County of Kern (HACK). In 2009, the City of Bakersfield partnered with HACK to support the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Pinewood Glen property to increase affordable hous- ing options for seniors. The City invested $4.8 million in federal grant funds to support acquisition and rehabilitation cost. Residents spoke to the Committee members about their experience at Pinewood Glen and their accommoda- tions. The complex provides services to support the well-being of its residents, including onsite dining, transportation services, and resident activities. The Bakersfield City Council’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Homelessness has met monthly since January 2022. Previous meetings focused on investigating issues of mental health, substance abuse, law enforcement, regional homeless action planning and expansion of the City’s Brundage Lane Navigation Center. Homelessness Ad-Hoc Committee tours affordable housing facility The Measure The Bakersfield City Council’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Homelessness continues to tour sites during their monthly meetings as the City looks for ways to curb homelessness. The number of affordable housing units at the Pin- ewood Glen Retire- ment Community, which is owned and operated by the Housing Authority of the County of Kern. 99 The City invested $4.8 million in federal grand funds to support the acquisition and rehabilita- tion cost of Pinewood Glen to increase affordable housing op- tions for seniors. $4.8M City Council Ad-Hoc Committee on Homelessness members Ken Weir (Vice Mayor and Committee chair, Ward 3) and Patty Gray (Ward 6) speak with a resident of the Pinewood Glen Retirement Community during a tour of the facility on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the senior living facility. City Council Agenda Highlights, Oct. 5 Code Enforcement weekly report, Sept. 17—23, 2022 Recreation & Parks Dept. Rapid Response Team weekly report, Sept. 18—24, 2022 Reports Professional Development Conference held for Rec. & Parks Latest BPD academy now underway The Bakersfield Police Department welcomed 30 new recruits to its academy at 4646 California Avenue on Monday, Sept. 2, the seventh funded by the Public Safety & Vital Services (PSVS) Measure . These trainees will undergo a 23-week training period before they graduate in March 2023 and become full sworn officers. This week the recruits were in "pre-academy" onboarding orientations, and were intro- duced to the academy structure and expectations. Continuing efforts to grow our team, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Cen- ter played host to the 2022 Professional Development Conference on Thursday, Sept. 29. City of Bakersfield Recreation & Parks staff were joined by parks staff from the County of Kern, North of the River Rec- reation & Park District and West Side Recreation & Park District out of Taft for the conference. Individuals took part in a number of educa- tional sessions including, learning about safe- ty, irrigation, tree pruning and customer service. Lace’n It Up 5K Fun Run, 1 Mile Celebration Walk, 8:30 a.m.—2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at The Park at River Walk (11200 Stockdale Hwy) Roadside Geology of Kern County Mountains, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at Buena Vista Museum (2018 Chester Ave.) Clean Air Community Festival, 4—7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at Stiern Park (5201 Monitor Street) National Night Out, 6—9 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Yokuts Park (4200 Empire Drive) Upcoming Events Calendar for the Mechanics Bank Arena, Theater and Convention Center Events With October 1 being World Vegetarian Day and November 1 being World Vegan Day, and with 15.5 million U.S. adults having a vegetarian or vegan diet, the personal- finance website WalletHub released its 2022’s Best Cities for Vegans & Vegetari- ans report on September 26. That report ranks Bakersfield 17th among the nation's 100 largest cities. The only California cities that ranked higher than Bakersfield were Los Angeles (No. 3), San Francisco (No, 7) and San Diego (No. 9). To determine the best and cheapest places for following a plant-based diet, Walle- tHub compared the 100 largest cities across 17 key indicators of vegan- and vegetari- an-friendliness. The data set ranges from the share of restaurants serving meatless options to the cost of groceries for vegetarians to salad shops per capita. With 1 = Best, and 50 = Average, Bakersfield ranked in several key categories as fol- lows: 54th – Farmers Markets & CSA Programs per capita 39th – Juice & Smoothie Bars per capita 32nd – Vegetable Nurseries per capita 11th – Certified Organic Farms per capita As part of the City’s Housing Element Update, a Housing Opportunities virtual work- shop is scheduled for next week, as the City continues its process of updating the General Plan. Individuals participating will be able to provide public input to help identify where future housing should be located over the next eight years. The virtual workshop will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11. You can register online to participate. WalletHub: Bakersfield among Top 20 best cities for vegans & vegetarians General Plan Update virtual workshop set for Tuesday The City of Bakersfield was recently ranked in the Top 20 best cities for vegans & vege-tarians. Toss It Salad Bar, lo-cated in Downtown Bakers- field, is one of a number of eateries locally that specializ- es in salads and vegetarian dishes. AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS OCTOBER 5, 2022 COUNCIL MEETING CANCELLED: REGULAR MEETING – 3:30 p.m. REGULAR MEETING – 5:15 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR - ORDINANCES Item 7d. Freight Terminal (All Wards) This is a second reading of an ordinance amending the zone classification from One Family Dwelling/Planned Unit Development (R-1/PUD) and Limited Multiple Family Dwelling Unit/Planned Unit Development (R-2/PUD) to Light Manufacturing (M-1) on 458.54 acres located at the southwest corner of Seventh Standard Road and Rudd Avenue. The zone change request facilitates a freight terminal that is intended to reflect the light industrial development that has occurred to the northwest of the site, and to respond to market conditions. Staff recommend approval of second reading of the ordinance. CONSENT CALENDAR - AGREEMENTS Item 7o. SiFi Networks Broadband Access (All Wards) SiFi Networks (SiFi) has proposed to build a Citywide Fiber Optic Network at no cost to the City. The SiFi proposal would privately fund, design, construction and maintain a Citywide open-access network with their project capital investment totaling more than $300,000,000. The Citywide open access network will allow internet service providers (ISP’s) to provide up to 10 gigabit broadband connectivity to residential customers and up to 100-gigabit connectivity to businesses. The open access network will be built with the option to connect all City facilities, residences, businesses, and institutions within Bakersfield. This proposed project will bring gigabit level internet and data transfer speeds to every doorstep along public right-of-way within the City without any taxpayer subsidy. At the August 31, 2022, City Council Workshop, City Council provided consensus for staff to move forward with a license agreement with SiFi. A license agreement is a non-exclusive license to access the public rights-of-way to install, operate and maintain the fiber optic network at no cost to the City. SiFi would enter into separate license agreements for any additional facilities that may be installed on City-owned property. The term of the proposed Agreement is 30-years with an option for up to one Agreement renewal, for an additional 30-years. Staff recommends approval of the lease agreement. CONSENT CALENDAR – PUBLIC HEARINGS Item 8a. Economic Opportunity Area Grant to Strong Realty – 828 East California Avenue (Ward 2) The Economic Opportunity Area (EOA) Incentive Program offers incentives to encourage business growth and redevelopment with financial assistance, such as grants and development assistance, for a business within an EOA or a business planning to open or expand within an EOA. The City has received an application from David Strong and Nancy L. Strong (dba Strong Realty) for their location at 828 East California Avenue within the Old Town Kern EOA. The applicant purchased the property to occupy and operate a real estate office and leases 5 other spaces. Strong Realty is requesting EOA funding for site improvements to cover the costs associated with roof replacement, HVAC, exterior painting, window replacement, door replacement, asphalt resurfacing, and/or plumbing/heater work; all which are eligible costs within the EOA Program Guidelines. Staff recommends approval of the grant agreement. Prepared by: Anthony Valdez, Assistant to the City Manager cc: Department Heads City Manager’s File City Clerk’s File News Media File The Rapid Response Team worked on several encampment projects this week, focusing on Patriots Park, the vacant lots on Milham Drive, and the Garces Circle. Clean-Up on the Kern River continues, with a focus on the Western part of Manor Street and Underneath the Stockdale Bridge. RRT’s Night Shift Impact Unit continues to assist our Police Department in clearing encampments and trash sites between the 1:30 pm and 11:30 pm. hours Better Code RRT Outreach # Calls for Service 135 # Calls Holding 104 # Encampments 65 # Subjects encountered 4 #Referrals to Shelter 3 Better Code RRT Clean City # Trash Sites Cleaned 90 # Tons of Trash Removed 6.75 # Equivalent pickup loads 15 Clean Up at the vacant lot on 10 Milham Drive (BEFORE & AFTER) BeƩer Code Enforcement Report Date: September 17, 2022—September 23, 2022 Clean Up at 4750 Gosford Rd (BEFORE & AFTER) This week Code Enforcement achieved voluntary compliance on 84 cases. Inspector Summary # Initial Inspections 134 # Re-inspections 204 # Hearing 25 # Abatement Inspection 15 # Vacant Structure Check 26 # Contract Awarded 14 # Bid Requested Abatement 16 # Warrants Executed 0 # Vehicle Abatement 2 # Business license Inspection 2 # Fire Call Response (After hours) 2 #Board-up Response (After hours) 2 Case Origin # Citizen Complaints 40 # Councilmember Referral 0 # Proactive 62 # Fire Department 4 # Police Department 1 # City Source 5 # Internal Complaints / Treasury 2 Case Type # Property Maintenance 67 # Housing Violation 3 # Zoning 25 # Construction/Building 3 #Parking Violation/Citations 11 RRT Back/Fill Shift 4 Code Enforcement Pending Pages 89 Abatement of green pool (BEFORE & AFTER) Low hanging palm fronds impeding the sidewalk (BEFORE & AFTER) Abatement of overgrown weeds on property (BEFORE & AFTER) Recreation & Parks - RRT Weekly Report For the week of 9/18/2022-9/24/2022 City Council and/or Public Requests • None City Source Requests • None Projects Completed by RRT 1. The Park at Riverwalk (Mobile Restrooms) • The RRT disassembled the three mobile restroom units after the event and transported them to Kaiser Permanente Sports Village for upcoming reservations. 2. Kern River Parkway @ Truxtun Lake (Irrigation Repair) • The RRT exposed and removed a malfunctioning irrigation valve on the south side of the lake and temporarily capped off the lateral line. 3. H Street Underpass (Erosion Repair – Vandalism) • 9/20/22 – The RRT removed erosion debris from road shoulder on the east side of the street north of 14th St. • 9/21/22 – The RRT backfilled eroded areas with clean dirt on the east hillside north of 14th St. due to vandalism. 4. Beale Park (Tennis Court Electrical Modifications) • The RRT removed small sections of concrete at the base of each existing sports light pole, to allow installation of a new electrical conduit line as part of the new tennis court rehabilitation project. Miscellaneous: 1. Jefferson Park (Restroom Security Gate Modification – Vandalism) • The RRT evaluated the gate dimensions and obtained materials needed for the restroom security gate fabrication and modification project, due to ongoing vandalism. 2. Lowell Park Shop (Building Repair – Vandalism) • The RRT secured the window, entry door, and holes cut in fence gate due to vandalism and illegal forced entry. 3. Kern River Parkway (Weed Removal) • The RRT removed weeds and leaves on the south side of Truxtun Ave. east of Quailridge Rd. 4. Beach Park (Sports Field Prep) • The RRT assisted Area 2 with prepping the softball field for a scheduled reservation. Weekly Data: Assignment Locations Job Description Date Man Hours Equip/Hours Misc. Cost Weight Approx. lbs. TPRW Mobile Restrooms 9/18/2022 28 28 0 0 KRPW @ Truxtun Lake Irrigation Repair 9/18/2022 6 3 0 0 9/19/2022 8 4 0 0 Jefferson Park Restroom Gate Modification 9/19/2022 6 3 0 0 Lowell Par Shop Building Repair 9/19/2022 6 3 0 0 H St. Underpass Erosion Clean-Up 9/20/2022 20 23 0 0 H St. Underpass Erosion Backfill 9/21/2022 50 60 0 0 Beale Park Tennis Court Electrical Modification 9/22/2022 47 47 $432.70 0 9/23/2022 36.5 36.5 $1,845.20 0 9/24/2022 40 30 0 0 KRPW Weed Removal 9/21/2022 40 20 $177.40 0 Beach Park Sports Field Prep 9/23/2022 3.5 3.5 0 0 Totals: Projects Completed: 9 291 261 $2,455.30 0 Ongoing Projects • Beale Park - electrical modification project. 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 H Street Underpass (Erosion Clean-Up & Backfill) Beale Park (Tennis Court Electrical Modification) SEASON TICKET INFORMATION Bakersfield Condors 661-324-PUCK (7825) www.bakersfieldcondors.com Bakersfield Symphony 661-323-7928 www.BSOnow.org UPCOMING EVENTS October 28 – Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero 7:00 PM October 15 – Condors vs Abbotsford 7:00 PM $12 to $41 On Sale 10/1 October 21 – Cody Johnson 7:30 PM $125, $65, $55, $50, $45 On Sale Now $150, $125, $99, $75, $55 On Sale Now November 4 – Condors vs Henderson 7:00 PM November 5 – Walker Hayes & Parmalee 8:00 PM $12 to $41 On Sale 10/1 $55.50, $45.50, $35.50 On Sale Now November 12 – Condors vs Ontario 7:00 PM $12 to $41 On Sale 10/1 $12 to $41 On Sale 10/1 May 25, 2023 – Matchbox Twenty 7:00 PM $179.50 to $39.50 On Sale Now $84, $54, $34, $29, $24 On Sale Now October 30 – Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero 1 P/5 P $84, $54, $34, $29, $24 On Sale Now October 29 – Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero 11A/3P/7P $84, $54, $34, $29, $24 On Sale Now November 2 – Condors vs San Diego 6:30 PM October 8 – Gloria Trevi 8:00 PM $499.95-$29.95 On Sale Now September 29 – Pitbull with Iggy Azalea 8:00 PM Buy tickets at www.mechanicsbankarena.com or AXS.com $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50 On Sale NowOctober 2 – Paramore 7:30 PM $55, $45, $40 On Sale Now $55, $45, $40 On Sale Now February 5, 2023 – Los Temerarios 8:00 PM February 4 – BSO: Family Matinee 2:00 PM $225, $189, $125, $95, $70, $65, $45 On Sale Now March 4 – BSO: Verdi’s Requiem 6:30 PM October 8 – BSO: Opening Night 6:30 PM November 5 – BSO: American Composers 6:30 PM November 30 – Mannheim Steamroller 7:30 PM$71, $61, $51, $31, $21 On Sale Now $55, $45, $40 On Sale Now $55, $45, $40 On Sale Now May 6 – BSO: Berlioz and Rodrigo 6:30 PM$55, $45, $40 On Sale Now December 2 – BSO: Home For The Holidays 6:30 PM $35.75 to $75.75 On Sale Now $55, $45, $40 On Sale Now December 14 – Peppa Pig’s Adventure 6:00 PM$27.50 to $67.50 On Sale Now January 19 – Bluey’s Big Play 6:00 PM $146, $131, $91, $71, $51 On Sale Now October 11 – Willie Nelson & Family 7:30 PM Saturday, September 24 - 10 AM to 3 PM Friday, September 30 – 5 PM to 9 PM