HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.12.235/12/23, 2:54 PM Bakersfield Notes 05.12.2023
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Bakers eld Notes
The Sound of What's Happening!
Friday, May 12, 2023
Notable Items
Bakers eld de es state population trends, continues
growth and remains ninth-largest City in California
The California Department of Finance has
released its annual population estimates
for the state as of January 2023 and it
shows Bakers eld de ed the state's
population decline trend and continues to
grow instead!
Bakers eld, according to the report as of Jan. 1, 2023, had an
estimated population of 408,373, an increase of 882 from 2022.
Bakers eld is one of only three of the 10 largest California cities to
add to its population from last year, with Sacramento gaining 1,203
and Fresno increasing by 599.
California city population estimates as of Jan. 1, 2023 and
percent change from 2022-23.
Bakers eld Notes
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The City remains the ninth-largest by population in California,
trailing Oakland (419,556) by a little more than 11,000 and ahead of
Anaheim (328,580).
The state overall saw its population decline by 138,400 residents to
38,940,231.
BLNC's expanded parking lot, kennel and green space
set to open
The expansion of the City's Brundage Lane Navigation Center
continues as the expanded parking lot, kennel and green space are
set to open next week.
The kennel will now be able to accommodate 50 pets, up from 15.
The Bakers eld City Council approved the expansion of the BLNC in
December 2021, utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and
Public Safety & Vital Services Measure (PSVS) funds. The expansion
has allowed the BLNC to increase its bed count from 150 to 268.
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Dream Center highlighted as Big City Mayors call on
state to continue funding HHAP
This year the City has been able to utilize more than $4 million in
Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention funding, providing
assistance for a number of programs and organizations, including
The Dream Center in Downtown Bakers eld.
While at The Dream Center on Thursday, May 11, Mayor Karen Goh
called on Governor Gavin Newsom and the state to continue
providing funding for HHAP, to allow cities across California to help
in the ght against homelessness.
With the current round of HHAP funding, the City will be able to
support foster youth homeless prevention, support the creation of
permanent supportive housing, pay for street outreach and more.
Members of the media were on hand Thursday, speaking to Dream
Center representatives and also touring the facility.
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Central Park playground safety resurfacing
The playground at Central Park at Mill Creek will be closed through
next week as crews install new safety surfacing.
The closure started Thursday, May 11.
The project will cost just under $100,000 and is made possible
thanks to the Public Safety & Vital Services Measure (Measure N).
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Water conservation efforts continue with new
xeriscaping project
The City is continuing water conservation efforts through its turf
replacement program.
Crews are currently replacing landscaping on medians on Panorama
Drive between Bluff and Columbus streets.
New drought-tolerant plants will be installed along with
decomposed granite.
The project is expected to be completed by the start of June.
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City wraps up celebration of local businesses during
Small Business Week
The City celebrated Small Business Week, from April 30 - May 6, by
unveiling the Top 5 local businesses, as voted on by the public in the
Retail & Restaurant Survey, which ran in April.
The Top 10 local restaurants were:
1. Luigi's
2. Frugatti's
3. La Costa Mariscos
4. Wool Growers
5. Sorella
6. Mexicali
7. Moo Creamery
8. Cafe Smitten
9. Urrichio's
10. 24th Street Cafe
The Top 10 local retailers were:
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1. In Your Wildest Dreams
2. Bobbi's Hallmark
3. Spoiled Rotten
4. Bella's
5. Victoria's
6. Going Underground Records
7. Sweet Surrender
8. House of Mosley
9. Sugardaddy's
10. Dewar's
Videos of the Top 5 in each category were produced and posted on
the City's social media channels utilizing the hashtag #SmallBizBako.
ECD holds outreach at Cal State Bakers eld for grant
program
Cecelia Griego, Principal Planner with Economic and Community
Development Department, presented to the CSUB Small Business
Development Center the Ecosystem Technical Assistance and Grant
Program, which will provide $1.5 million in small business grants to
the community.
The program is designed to provide access to grants and business
technical assistance services to entrepreneurs/start-up businesses
and established small businesses.
The City is working in partnership
with technical assistance providers (Bakers eld College Launchpad,
CSUB Small Business Development Center and Extended Education
and Global Outreach, and Kern County Black Chamber of
Commerce) to support the development of business plans and other
business support services.
They are gearing up their programs and will be launching them soon.
These technical services are one of the items that will make
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applicants eligible for a grant from the City, along with a solid
business plan and other requirements.
The grant program will be eligible to new business start-ups and
existing small business owners and will be launching soon. Both
programs will target businesses considered disproportionately
impacted by COVID- 19 pandemic.
City receives $5.4 million for affordable housing,
services
The City will receive more than $5.4 million in federal funding to help
those experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness.
As part of the HOME investment Partnerships Program, American
Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP), the City of Bakers eld applied for a grant
from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist
individuals or households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness,
and other vulnerable populations, by providing housing, rental
assistance supportive services, and non-congregate shelter, to
reduce homelessness and increase housing stability across the
country.
The City received notice that the grant application was successful
and will be awarded $5,458,039 for the development of affordable
rental housing, supportive services, non-pro t capacity building and
administration activities.
More than 150 dogs get vaccinated at low-cost drive-
thru clinic
The City's Animal Control held its last low-
cost drive-thru dog vaccination clinic of the
rst half of the year with more than 150
pups getting vaccinated.
Nearly 320 total vaccines were
administered on 159 dogs, with 27 getting
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microchipped and another 89 getting licenses.
Due to the heat in the coming months, the drive-thru clinics will be
on hiatus until Sept. 9, when a clinic is scheduled to be held at Beach
Park (3400 21st Street).
Hometown Heroes Banner program ceremony set for
May 20
Join us Saturday, May 20 as we honor local members of the U.S.
armed forces at our Hometown Heroes Banner unveiling ceremony.
It begins at 10 a.m. at the Amtrak Station, 601 Truxtun Ave., behind
Visit Bakers eld and Beale Library.
Banners for 2023-24 have sold out.
Banner ceremony from May 2022.
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Housing Element feedback needed
The 2045 General Plan Update team is
looking for public feedback on housing in
Bakers eld. Anyone interested can take a
look at the new Housing Element and
provide their thoughts.
Comments will be accepted until May 17,
2023 and can be sent to
bakers eld2045@bakers eldcity.us or mail
them to the Bakers eld Planning Division
(1715 Chester Avenue, Bakers eld, CA
93301).
Bakers eld2045 Housing Element
Employee Service Awards
Week of May 7
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Rafael Rangel, Economic & Community
Development Dept., 35 years
Teresa Erickson, Police Dept., 10 years
Jederina Garcia, Police Dept., 5 years
Cameryn Goodwin, Police Dept., 5
years
Noah Morales, Police Dept., 5 years
Traf c Advisories
Intersection closures planned on
Stockdale Highway at Renfro and
Allen roads
As part of the pavement rehabilitation
project on Stockdale Highway, the
intersections at Renfro Road and Allen
Road will be reconstructed.
The reconstruction of these intersections will take place from 6 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13, starting at Allen Road and progressing
west to Renfro Road. This work is expected to be completed the
same day. The entire rehabilitation project is expected to be
completed by July 11.
Traf c delays are expected as a result of this work. Drivers are
advised to use caution and to take alternate routes or allow extra
travel time through this area.
There may be temporary road closures at intersections during the
reconstruction; however, detours and alternative routes will be
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provided during these phases of construction.
The City thanks the public for its patience and understanding during
the completion of these improvements.
Please note: Construction work may be postponed and rescheduled
without notice due to inclement weather and other unforeseen
conditions.
Overnight southbound Ming Avenue off-ramp closures
Closures have been scheduled for the southbound State Route 99 to
Ming Avenue off-ramp. This ramp closure will take place nightly from
Sunday, May 14 through Thursday, May 18 for the release of
falsework.
The closures will begin at 9 p.m. and end at 5 a.m. During the
closures, motorists can exit at the Stockdale Highway off-ramp or
White Lane off-ramp. California Highway Patrol will be monitoring
the construction zone.
Please note: 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.
Nighttime closures planned on southbound Highway 99
Nighttime closures have been scheduled for all lanes of southbound
State Route 99 between State Route 58 and Ming Avenue. The
closures will take place nightly from Sunday, May 14 through
Thursday, May 18 for the release of falsework.
The closures will begin at 11 p.m. and end at 5 a.m. California
Highway Patrol will be monitoring the construction zone.
During the closures, motorists will be detoured to exit at Stockdale
Highway. Turn left/east on Stockdale Highway, right/south on Wible
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Road, right/west on Ming Avenue, then left to enter the southbound
State Route 99 on-ramp.
Please note: 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.
Overnight closures planned for westbound Highway 58
to southbound Highway 99 connector
Closures have been scheduled for the westbound State Route 58 to
southbound State Route 99 connector. These closures will take place
nightly from Sunday, May 14 through Thursday, May 18 for the
release of falsework.
The closures will begin at 9 p.m. and end at 5 a.m. California Highway
Patrol will be monitoring the construction zone.
During the closures, westbound motorists will be detoured to exit at
Chester Avenue. Turn right/north on Chester Avenue, left/west on
Brundage Lane, left/south on Wible Road, right/west on Ming
Avenue, then left to enter the southbound State Route 99 on-ramp.
Please note: 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.
Reverse traf c control scheduled for Real Road
Real Road will be agged for one-way directional traf c between
Stockdale Highway and Elcia Drive from Monday, May 15 through
Friday, May 19. A single lane will remain open with aggers directing
traf c.
This closure is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for Cal Water
utility relocations.
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Please note: 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
Code Enforcement Rapid Response Team weekly report, April 29 -
May 5, 2023
DirecTV Programming Changes letter , May 5 2023
Events
Friday, May 12
Movies in the Park, "Brave," begins at dusk, Lowell Park, 800 4th
Street
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Flix Movies, "Pig," doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.,
Fox Theater, 2001 H Street
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Saturday, May 13
Bulky item drop-off event, 8 a.m. - noon, Riverlakes Ranch
Community Center, 3825 Riverlakes Drive
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Southeast Strong Fest, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Park, 1000 S. Owens Street
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Monday, May 15
Cults & Classics, "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,"
doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m., Fox Theater, 2001 H
Street
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