HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.23.20242/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 1/16
Notable Items
City continues to see reduced water usage by
customers
The City's Domestic Water System continues to see lower water use
compared to previous years despite continued residential growth
thanks to conservation and new standards for residential
developments.
Bakers eld Notes
The Sound of What's Happening!
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
Bakers eld Notes
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 2/16
Water Resources Department data shows
that domestic water use was lower over
the last 12 months than it was over the
same period in 2020 (top right). That
includes signi cant reductions even over
the summer months when irrigation is at its
highest. Over the last year, the lowest
usage was in March (77.69 gallons per
capita) and usage peaked in July (227.24).
March of 2023 also had the highest
percentage of water savings over that time,
35% per capita (bottom right).
In December 2021, the City and its Water
Resources Department issued mandatory
water restrictions for all City of
Bakers eld Domestic Water System
customers. Those restrictions remain in
place. In addition to customers following
those restrictions, the City's Turf Replacement Program and
changes to landscaping requirements for new residential
developments have also contributed to reduced water needs for our
community.
We appreciate everyone's efforts to reduce unnecessary water use!
Water Resources HQ turf replacement underway
The City offers a Turf Replacement program to the public, to both
residential and industrial business customers. The City has also
taken advantage of this program to reduce its own water usage.
Rebates & Conservation Kits
Domestic water use comparison (per capita),
2022-2023 vs. 2020.
Metered percent savings by month (per capita),
2023.
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 3/16
The City's Water Resources Department is setting the example, too,
updating the landscaping at its of ces on Buena Vista Road. Water
Resources is replacing approximately 28,500 square feet of non-
functional turf at the property (see below). The Recreation & Parks
Department has also identi ed another approximately 89,000
square feet of turf in medians in the surrounding area to be replaced
as well, promoting the use of drought-tolerant landscaping to the
public. The project at Water Resources is expected to be completed
by spring of 2024.
Water Resources HQ before and after turf removal.
In 2022, the City's Recreation & Parks
Department completed a project to
remove 44,000 square feet of turf along
Rosedale Highway and replaced it with
drought-tolerant turf and plants, reducing
the irrigation needs in those areas (at right).
And in 2023, another 9,352 square feet of
turf at eight entry medians was also
replaced (see below).
Rosedale Highway after turf replacement in
highway median.
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 4/16
A residential entry before and after turf replacement.
Mill Creek winter maintenance ongoing
The winter months offer a chance for Water Resources crews to
perform annual maintenance on equipment. This year, crews rebuilt
seven lift heads for Mill Creek at Central Park, 17th Street and
California Avenue (see below). The lift heads help control the water
height of the water features at the park.
Trash and debris have also been removed from Mill Creek during this
time.
Crews work to repair and replace lift heads at Mill Creek at Central Park.
More than 1,000 racers participate in USA BMX Golden
State Nationals
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 5/16
The weekend of Feb. 16 - 18, Visit
Bakers eld welcomed the USA BMX
Golden State Nationals. Nearly 1,100 BMX
racers along with their families converged
on Metro BMX in Bakers eld. With the top
eight nishers of their class category
qualifying to represent the USA at the
2024 UCI BMX World Challenge, this was
the largest competitor eld in the track’s
racing history.
Local hotel occupancy was up nearly 20% over the same non-race
weekend last year.
Mayor Karen Goh meets with USA BMX Golden State Nationals participants.
CIF wrestling championships return to Bakers eld!
Racers at the USA BMX Golden State Nationals
held at Bakers eld's Metro BMX the weekend of
Feb. 16 - 18.
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 6/16
It's another big weekend as Visit Bakers eld welcomes the California
Interscholastic Federation Boys' and Girls' State High School
Wrestling Championships back to Bakers eld this week. The action
continues through Saturday, Feb. 24 at Mechanics Bank Arena,
Theater and Convention Center, the home of high school wrestling.
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 7/16
Bakers eld has hosted the boys' wrestling championships since
2004. In 2019, the girls' wrestling championships were added,
expanding the previous two-day event into a three-day wrestling
extravaganza that makes this one of the City's busiest weekends.
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 8/16
It promises to again be another banner time for local hotels and
restaurants as wrestlers, their families and supporters converge on
California's ninth-largest city. Local hotels typically report an
average occupancy increase of around 40% during the CIF
championship weeks.
In 2022, Bakers eld won the bid to host the CIF Wrestling
Championships though 2026.
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 9/16
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 10/16
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 11/16
Enhancements coming to Lowell Park
A project to bring enhancements to the
amenities at Lowell Park (800 4th Street) is
currently underway. Recreation & Parks
started the project on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
The project will bring improvements to the
sidewalk at the park as well as new tness
equipment areas and is funded by the
Public Safety & Vital Services (PSVS) Measure, also known as
Measure N as it "enhanc[es] amenities throughout the community to
improve the quality of life and attract visitors." The enhancements
will also improve ADA accessibility.
The two projects will cost a combined $86,000 and are expected to
be completed in the next four to ve weeks. The rest of the park will
remain open and unaffected during construction.
2/23/24, 3:23 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 12/16
Local group gets sign as adopters of Stonecreek Park
The City's Recreation & Parks Department continues to see success
with its Adopt-A-Park program.
On Friday, the local group Atrevete Vive Mejor, was given its of cial
sign as adopters of Stonecreek Park in Ward 7.
Groups participating in the program typically organize cleanups at
their adopted park, helping keep parks healthy and clean for the
entire community. Groups are asked to complete 16 combined hours
a month cleaning up parks and get an of cial sign after six months.
Adopt-A-Park
2/23/24, 3:24 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 13/16
Bakers eld Youth Jobs Program City Hall
Apprenticeship Program
2/23/24, 3:24 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 14/16
Recreation & Parks CPR training classes available
2/23/24, 3:24 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 15/16
Facebook
Employee Service Awards
Week of Feb. 19
Becky Nickell, Police Dept., 10 years
Nathan Gutierrez, City Manager's
Of ce, 5 years
Stanley Quintos, Public Works Dept., 5 years
Reports
City Council Agenda Highlights, Feb. 28, 2024.
2/23/24, 3:24 PM Bakersfield Notes 02.23.2024
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bc78fdfac23c4a8bb7fd27ea4e55f9ca/print 16/16
BPD Special Enforcement Unit monthly report, January 2024.
Recreation & Parks Dept. Support Team for Operations, Rangers
and Maintenance (STORM) weekly report, Feb. 11 - 17, 2024.
DirecTV Programming Change letter, Feb. 12, 2024.
Events
Tuesday, Feb. 27
Bakers eld Fire Dept. disaster drill, 9 a.m. at the Olive Drive Fire
Training Facility (5642 Victor Street). Operations will be open to the
media; please RSVP to Bakers eld Fire PIO Tim Ortiz.