HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.20.202310/20/23, 3:53 PM Bakersfield Notes 10.20.2023
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Bakers eld Notes
The Sound of What's Happening!
Friday, Oct. 20, 2023
Notable Items
BPD awarded $500,000 grant for Traf c Enforcement
Program
The Bakers eld Police Department has
been awarded a $500,000 grant from the
California Of ce of Traf c Safety (OTS) to
help support BPD's ongoing Traf c
Enforcement Program to improve safety on
City roads and reduce the totals of serious
injuries and deaths.
The grant will support programs and
enforcements including:
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DUI checkpoints and proactive patrols focused on stopping
suspected impaired drivers.
High-visibility distracted driving enforcement operations
targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone
law.
Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver
behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause
crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light
running, and improper turning or lane changes.
Community presentations on traf c safety issues such as
distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and bicycle and
pedestrian safety.
Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
Of cer training and/or recerti cation: Standardized Field
Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving
Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
Targeted enforcement of Street racing and Illegal Takeover
events.
The program will run through September 2024 and was supported
by a grant from the OTS through the National Highway Traf c Safety
Administration.
Kern River Parkway parking lot rehab completed early!
The Kern River Parkway parking lot
rehabilitation project has been completed
and both parking lots have been re-opened
as of Thursday, Oct. 19.
The entire project was expected to be
completed by Monday, Oct. 23, marking an early completion! The
parking lot on westbound Truxtun Avenue east of Mohawk Street re-
opened Sept. 30. The rehabilitation project started Aug. 28.
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The Kern River Parkway and the amenities themselves remained
open and available to the public during the rehab project.
The City thanks the public for its patience and understanding during
the completion of these improvements.
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More than 80 Entrepreneurship Grant Program
applications received since June, $170,000 worth of
grants approved
The City of Bakers eld’s Entrepreneurship Grant Program is under
way and over 82 applications have been received. The program - a
partnership between the City, California State University
Bakers eld's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and
Foodservice Management Program, Bakers eld College Launchpad,
and Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce - has provided
opportunities for small businesses to improve their business
planning and assist with key documents when rst starting a
business.
“Bakers eld College Launchpad's partnership with the City of
Bakers eld represents a critical collaboration in establishing a
robust business ecosystem," said NaTesha Johnson, Program
Director at Launchpad Bakers eld College. "Creating a robust
ecosystem to support small businesses through Launchpad's
education and technical assistance is vital for ensuring sustainability,
fostering economic growth, and enabling small businesses to scale
within our community. One of the most gratifying aspects is seeing
these small businesses secure the necessary funding and the
transformative impact it will have on their operations.”
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Since June, 21 small businesses have received capital totaling
$170,000 for start-up costs or to help grow their existing business.
Through the program, eligible businesses can receive grants of
$5,000, $10,000, $25,000, or up to $40,000 which can be used for
payroll and bene ts, utilities, mortgage or rent payments, license or
permit fees, expansion costs, operating expenses, and more.
Learn more
City breaks ground on future Linnell-Brahma Park
On Thursday, Oct. 19, the City's Recreation & Parks Department
broke ground on the site of a new future park in South Bakers eld,
one that has been years in the making.
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Linnell-Brahma Park - at the corner of Linnell Way and Brahma
Street - will feature children’s and youth playgrounds, a shaded
exercise station, a six-foot-wide multi-use path, multiple picnic areas
with barbecue grills and tables, a half-court basketball court, and will
be Americans with Disability Act accessible.
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City Councilmember Eric Arias, whose Ward 1 area will be home to
the new park, spoke at the ceremony, joined by neighboring
Councilmember Manpreet Kaur (Ward 7) and Mayor Karen Goh.
Recreation & Parks Director Rick Anthony called the future park a
promise the City made to the neighborhood - one that City staff is
proud to keep.
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To offset some of the cost to build the more than $5.5 million park,
the Recreation & Parks Department applied for and was awarded a
Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant
(Prop 68) of more than $3 million in 2020, helping reduce the impact
of the project on local funding sources.
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One of the requirements of the state grant is the inclusion of a
community wall art mural completed by a local artist. The local
community voted on three options for the design which were
presented by the Arts Council of Kern.
The winner - Fun in the Park by Jesse Moreno (at right) - was
announced at the groundbreaking.
Moreno's design will be painted on one of the walls in the future
park.
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Linnell-Brahma Park is expected to be completed by Summer 2024.
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Reminder: Active Transportation Summit and Festival
set for Oct. 21 - RSVP today!
Don't forget to RSVP for the upcoming
Bakers eld Active Transportation Summit
and Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21!
The City - in partnership with Blue Zones
Project-Bakers eld - is hosting a free,
family-friendly Active Transportation
Summit and Festival from noon to 4 p.m. at
the Bakers eld Community House (2020
R Street) that will feature a raf e for child-
and adult-sized bikes, skateboards,
scooters, and helmets! Free food and
snacks will be available while supplies last,
as well as bike, skateboard, and roller skate
safety demonstrations.
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Project and City staff will be on hand to answer any questions about
the Active Transportation Plan as well as active transportation in our
community.
The public can also hear from keynote speaker Stewart Robertson, a
renowned author of several active transportation guidelines,
discussing best practices for ATPs around the nation and the lessons
that have been learned to optimize travel for pedestrians, bicyclists
and more.
And the City is accepting feedback on the ATP project right now!
Comments made on the linked interactive map will be considered as
we outline potential future projects.
RSVP here!
Take our ATP survey!
Third Thursday returns after hiatus
For the rst time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Downtown Business Association's Third Thursday returned for the
community to enjoy.
Central Park at Mill Creek played host to Third Thursday on Oct. 19
with the City of Bakers eld's Recreation & Parks Department
serving as a sponsor.
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Mayor Karen Goh, Rec. & Parks Director Rick Anthony along with
representatives from Bakers eld Fire, Bakers eld Police, Rec. &
Parks and Keep Bakers eld Beautiful were amongst those on hand
gathering with the community.
A number of informational booths with games and prizes were also
setup throughout the park.
Third Thursday returns to Central Park at Mill Creek.
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What do you want to see in City of Bakers eld parks?
Take the survey!
Share your priorities for site and systemwide recommendations for
our parks, recreation facilities, trails, tree canopy, programs, and
services. Community needs and desired improvements are more
than the City can afford at this time. Take this online Prioritization
Exercise to join the discussion.
Prioritization Exercise
Council recruiting to ll vacancies
on advisory boards and
commissions
Fire Dept. Civil Service Board (1)
Miscellaneous Departments Civil
Service Board (2)
Police Dept. Civil Service Board (1)
Kern Mosquito and Vector Control Board (1)
North of the River Recreation and Parks District Board of
Directors (1)
Planning Commission (1)
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Bakers eld Youth Commission (1; Ward 7 alternate)
Provide feedback for safety
improvements along Monitor
Street School Corridor
Looking to make safety improvements for
the thousands of children attending school
on or near Monitor Street, the City is
seeking public input as it looks to secure
funding for future projects.
An interactive map allows users to provide
comments and recommendations for
improvements along the Monitor Street School Corridor, which
stretches from South High School to the north on Planz Road down
to Golden Valley High School on the south end on Hosking Avenue.
The City will work to secure funds through the Active Transportation
Program, which is run by the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans).
Provide Feedback
Now accepting feedback on Niles &
Monterey Complete Streets
Project
The City of Bakers eld is committed to
improving road safety and mobility for all
users to save lives and meet diverse needs
and challenges of our disadvantaged
communities.
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The City is working to secure federal funds for the Niles and
Monterey Complete Streets Project, which will transform these
corridors into safer, more accessible, and pedestrian-friendly routes
using Complete Streets strategies.
These strategies focus on traf c calming, ADA modi cations, raised
cycle tracks, and new trees to improve users’ safety and travel.
Give us your feedback!
Upcoming Recreation & Parks programming!
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Employee Service Awards
Week of Oct. 15
Keith Cason, Police Dept., 15 years
Ryan Vaughan, Police Dept., 15 years
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Timothy Berchtold, Police Dept., 15
years
Traf c Advisories
Overnight closures planned for
WB58 to SB99 connector
Nighttime closures have been scheduled
for the westbound State Route 58 to
southbound State Route 99 connector. The
closures will take place from Sunday, Oct.
22 through Thursday, Oct. 26 for the
installation of overhead signs. 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
northbound State Route 99. From State Route 99 exit at California
Avenue and turn left/west. Merge right to enter the southbound
State Route 99 on-ramp.
The City and Thomas Roads Improvement Program thank 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.
Click image to enlarge
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Reports
City Council Agenda Highlights, Oct. 25, 2023.
Bakers eld Police Dept. Special Enforcement Unit monthly report,
September 2023.
Recreation & Parks Dept. Support Team for Operations, Rangers
and Maintenance (STORM) weekly report, Oct. 8-14, 2023
DirecTV programming changes letter, Oct. 10, 2023.
Events
Saturday, Oct. 21
Walk to End Alzheimer's, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Park at River Walk
(11200 Stockdale Highway).
Bakers eld Active Transportation Summit and Festival, noon to 4
p.m. at the Bakers eld Community House (2020 R Street).
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Sunday, Oct. 22
Fun with the Frontline, 3 to 8 p.m. at Seven Oaks Country Club
(2000 Grand Lakes Avenue). This event is for those 21-years-old and
older.
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Tuesday, Oct. 24
Recreation & Parks Prioritization Workshop, 6 p.m. at Community
House, 2020 R Street.
Wednesday, Oct. 25
MLK Community Center HalloweenTown, 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (1000 S. Owens Street).
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Thursday, Oct. 26
Hal-LAW-een, 4 to 8 p.m., Bakers eld Police Department (1601
Truxtun Avenue).
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Friday, Oct. 27
Sunset May ower Park dedication, 9 a.m. at 700 Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Boulevard.
Silvercreek Community Center Halloweentown, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
at Silvercreek Community Center (7011 Harris Road). Movies in the
Park will follow Halloweentown.
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