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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/02 MINUTES CC 335 BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MEETING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2002 Council Chambers, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue Pre-Meeting - 5:15 p.m. Regular Meeting - 7:00 p.m. PREMEETING ACTION TAKEN 1. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hall, Vice Mayor Salvaggio, Councilmembers Carson, Benham, Maggard, (seated at 5:30 p.m.) Couch, Hanson, Sullivan (seated at 6:08 p.m.) 2. WORKSHOP a. Status Report on City Council Goals. (John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager) Assistant Manager Stinson made a computer presentation and provided written material. b. Report on Financial Planning. (Alan Tandy, City Manager) City Manager Tandy made a computer presentation and distributed written material. Salvaggio requested the memo from City Manager Tandy to Department Heads regarding the need for curbing expenditures be made available to the public. Motion by Salvaggio to recess to Closed Session at 5:52 p.m. 3. CLOSED SESSION a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation; Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b)(3)(c) of Government Code Section 54956.9. One (1) potential case. 336 Bakersfield, California. November 20, 2002 - Page 2 3. CLOSED SESSION continued ACTION TAKEN b. Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation; Initiation of litigation pursuant to subdivision (c) of Government Code Section 54956.9. One (1) potential case. Motion by Salvaggio to adjourn from Closed Session at 6:28 p.m. REGULAR MEETING 1. INVOCATION by Father Joseph Chaffee of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE by Alisa Taylor, 8th grade student, Thompson Jr. High School. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Hall, Vice Mayor Salvaggio, Councilmembers Carson, Benham, Maggard, Couch, Hanson, Sullivan Absent: None a. Council and staff introduced Student Body Representatives participating in the 48th consecutive "Teen City Government Day." The following students participated in Teen City Government Day: Brad Webb, Bakersfield Christian High School; Ce'Leigh Chapman, East Bakersfield High School; Brian Whitfield, Foothill High School; Kalli Derington, Garces High School; Jacob Ceccarelli, Highland High School; Adam Arriola, Liberty High School; Becca Moffat, North High School; Courtney Lewis, Ridgeview High School; Kevin Porter, Centennial High School; Lidia Salmeron, West High School; Sean Nolan, Stockdale High School; Josh Carter, Bakersfield High School; Chris Courtright, South High School. Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 3 337 4. CLOSED SESSION ACTION continued a. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation; Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b)(3)(c) of Government Code Section 54956.9. One (1) potential case. b. Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation; Initiation of litigation pursuant to subdivision (c) of Government Code Section 54956.9. One (1) potential case. Salvaggio, on behalf of the Council, made the following statement regarding Kern Delta Water District's sale of Kern River water: "The City of Bakersfield has consistently maintained a policy of keeping high quality Kern River water within the San Joaquin Valley portion of Kern County. Previously, Kern Delta Water District announced its intent to undertake a project to deliver Kern River Water to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. This project is a direct challenge to our City Policy and a direct threat to our local Kern River water supply. Despite our strong opposition to Kern Delta's intended export of Kern River water, on November 13, 2002, Kern Delta took action to finalize their deal with Los Angeles. Kern Delta and Los Angeles are leaving the City no choice but to take action to stop this transfer of Kern River water. This evening, the City Council directed the City Attorney to take appropriate steps, including filing a lawsuit against both Kern Delta and Met Water, to challenge the EIR. The City hopes other local entities will join with it in its efforts to stop this raid on our pristine water supply. The City did not ask for this fight with Kern Delta and Los Angeles. However, the Kern River is of such critical importance to our present and future water supply, we must take decisive action to protect this critical local resource. As we have stated previously, the City cannot allow Los Angeles to create another Owens Valley in Kern County. We will use every means necessary to stop Kern Delta and Los Angeles from taking Kern River water out of Kern County." ACTION TAKEN NAT DIRECTION GIVEN AS STATED SS8 Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 4 5. PRESENTATIONS ACTION TAKEN a. Presentation by Rhonda Smiley, Office Administrator/Public Relations to department winners of the 2002 Excellence in Action Awards and the Extra Mile Award in recognition of outstanding service to the City of Bakersfield. City Manager Tandy presented certificates to the following employees: Buffie Kaiser; City Manager's Division, Ginny Gennaro; City Attorney's Office, Phil Burns; Development Services, Rhonda Barnhard; ED/CD, Judy Ross; Financial Services, Susan Chichester; Fire Department, Ernest Duran; Fire Department, Patti Phoenix; Police Department, Greg Williamson; Police Department, Ruben Martinez; Public Works, Thomas Richardson; Public Works, Chuck Gravis; Recreation and Parks, Raul Subia; Recreation and Parks, Mark Lambert; Water Resources. Don Anderson, Real Property Manager, was presented with the "Extra Mile Award." b. Presentation by Mayor Hall to the Citizens' Community Services Advisory Committee (CCSAC) members recognizing their contributions and service as committee members. Mayor Hall presented Mark Stansbury, Mike O'Neill, Jim Fitch, Judy Valenzuela, Raul Rangel, Harry Starkey and Richard Russell plaques in recognition of their service on the Community Services Advisory Committee. Recess taken from 7:32 p.m. to 7:37 p.m. 6. PUBLIC STATEMENTS a. Tony Martinez spoke regarding the Old Town Kern Association and presented Revitalization Grant Funds in the amount of $143.600 to Mayor Hall and Council member Benham. Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 5 339 6. PUBLIC STATEMENTS continued b. Dr. Kent Blumenthal, Executive Director of the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association from Corvallis Oregon, announced their 2002 National Collegiate Soccer Sport Club Championships would be held at the county sports field November 21 through 23. ACTION TAKEN Maggard requested a schedule of venues for this event. c. Mark Mulkay, Kern Delta Water District made the following statement: "My name is Mark Mulkay. I am here this evening representing Kern Delta Water District. Just wanted to say briefly this evening, we understand the City's concerns and comments that I heard this evening. We do think that Kern River Water is important, needs to be kept in the area. To that end, working with your staff and with staff from the Improvement District No. 4 of the Kern County Water Agency, we developed an agreement which we think will keep Kern River water in the area when water is needed for payback. As part of this project we will deliver water to ID four and they will release their water into the aqueduct. We think this will help keep water in the area at all times. Also, at yesterday's board meeting my board of directors authorized signature of a letter or an agreement, or however it needs to be put together, stating in no uncertain terms that Kern Delta Water District will not use Kern River water as payback out of Kern County as part of this project without doing additional information and CEQUA to keep the City involved and up to speed with what we are doing and part of that process. We understand that your concerned about that and we are as well. We're willing to say we're not going to use Kern River water in this project. And we're willing to put that in writing and give it to the Board, give it to the Council. We would like to continue to work with the staff, in fact the letter that we 940 Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 6 6. PUBLIC STATEMENTS continued ACTION TAKEN distributed was a letter that we sent to Vice-Mayor Salvaggio, last week after our special board meeting. The last paragraph of that says that we're willing to, and looking forward to continuing to work with the City, to try to come to a solution to this problem that we have. We understand, I understand your process and the comments that were made this evening. We hope that in the next few weeks before the time line runs out that we can come to a solution of this process and make it work. Again, we are committed to keep the river water here where it's beneficial. We're farmers. We want to keep that water going to agriculture and the area that it helps us the best. This is a valuable project that we are working on, significant new facilities that will help recharge water into the future, in fact one of the things that we think this will do is actually do is capture over the next twenty-five years somewhere between two hundred and fifty and three hundred thousand acre feet of additional flood flows that historically ran by Kern Delta and most of that went to the California Aqueduct or actually on up into Tulare Lake. We plan on trying to capture that and keeping that here in this area. Thank you. " d. Brad Hoffman spoke regarding the Bakersfield Blitz and provided handouts. 7. APPOINTMENTS None. 8. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes: a. Approval of November 6, 2002 Council Meeting Minutes. Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 7 341 Payments: b. Approval of department payments from October 25, 2002 to November 7, 2002 in the amount of $5,361,004.16 and self insurance payments from October 4, 2002 to October 24, 2002 in the amount of $490,067.13. Ordinances: c. Ordinance amending Bakersfield Municipal Code Sections § 1.12.020 § 1.12.040 and § 1.12.070 by adding Annexation No. 427 and a portion of Annexation No. 433 to Ward 4, Annexation No. 429 to Ward 7 and a portion of Annexation No. 433 to Ward 2. (Ward 2.4.7) d. Adoption of Ordinance repealing Chapter 2.60 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code resulting in the disbanding of the Citizen's Community Services Advisory Committee. (First reading 11/6102) e. Ordinance adopting the Negative Declaration and amending Title 17 of the Municipal Code and Zoning Map No. 101-35 from A (Agriculture) to E (Estate) on 20 acres, located at the southwest corner of Brimhall Road and Jenkins Road. (Ward 4) (First reading 11/6102) f. Ordinance adopting a Negative Declaration and amending Title 17 of the Municipal Code and Zoning Map No. 124-03 from M-2 (General Manufacturing to M-1 (Light Manufacturing) on 9.93 acres and M-2 (General Manufacturing) to R-2 (Limited Multiple Family) on 18.76 acres, located adjacent on the west side of Oswell Street, south of Kimber Avenue. (Ward 1) (First reading 11/6102) g. Ordinance adopting the Negative Declaration and amending Title 17 of the Municipal Code and Zoning Map No. 103-18 from C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) and C-2 (Regional Commercial) to R-2 (Limited Multiple Family Dwelling) on three acres, located along the north side of W. Columbus Street, generally west of Union Avenue. (Ward 3) (First reading 11/6/02) ACTION TAKEN ORD 4096 ORD 4097 ORD 4098 ORD 4099 ORD 4100 942 Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 8 8. CONSENT CALENDAR continued ACTION TAKEN h. Ordinance adopting the Negative Declaration ORD 4101 and amending Title 17 of the Municipal Code and Zoning Map No. 101-13 changing the zoning from A-20A (Agriculture-20 Acre Minimum Lot Size) to R-2 (Limited Multiple- Family Dwelling) on 19.64 acres located along the southeast corner of Allen Road and Reina Road. (First reading 11/6/02) RESOLUTIONS: i. Resolution making findings and determination regarding commitment of unexpended Metropolitan Bakersfield Transportation Impact Fees. j. Resolution confirming the approval by the City Manager or his designee of the report of the Chief Code Enforcement Officer regarding assessments of certain properties in the City of Bakersfield for which structures have been secured against entry or for the abatement of certain weeds, debris and waste matter and authorize collection of the assessments by the Kern County Tax Collector. (Wards 1,2,4.5& 7) k. Resolution ordering change of proceedings to reduce assessments to $1,940,000 for parcels located in City of Bakersfield Assessment District 02-1 (Avalon/Belsera/MontaralThe Woods). (Ward 4,7) I. Resolution determining that Go-4 three- wheeled utility vehicles for use in the Traffic Section of the Police Department cannot be reasonably obtained through the usual bidding procedures and authorizing the Finance Director to dispense with bidding therefore, not to exceed $50,510 ($25,255 each, tax included). m. Amendment No. 9 to Resolution No. 44-93 Setting Salaries and Related Benefits for Temporary Salaries, Temporary Unit. n. Amendment NO.1 to Resolution No. 174-02 setting dates for regular City Council Meetings for 2003. RES 194-02 RES 195-02 RES 196-02 RES 197-02 REMOVED FOR SEPERA TED CONSIDERA nON RES 174-02(1) Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 9 J~l 8. CONSENT CALENDAR continued ACTION TAKEN Agreements: Agreement to indemnify LAFCO for City Annexation No. 436, Proceeding 1346, uninhabited territory located in two separate areas (1) along Stockdale Highway right-of- way, west of Ashe Road and (2) south of Blomquist Drive to Belle Terrace, generally west of McDonald Way. (Ward 2.5 & 6) Agreement with Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for $4.1 Million of Section 108 funds which will be used to fund four public facilities projects in Southeast Bakersfield. (Ward 1.2) q. Amendment NO.1 to Agreement No. 01-205 AGR 01-205(1) with California Water Service Co. f'Nard 3) o. REMOVED FOR SEPARA TE CONSIDERA TION p. AGR 02-340 1. Add $163,500 (for a total reimbursable amount of $1,043.500) to provide additional construction on the Northeast Bakersfield Water Supply's Kern River Intake Pumping Facilities. 2. Appropriate $163,500 fund balance to the Water Resources Capital Improvement Budget within the Domestic Water Fund. r. Contract Change Order NO.1 ($25,781.53) CC0101-213 to Agreement No. 01-213 with Kern County Construction, Inc., for Construction of Ashe Water Well CBK 41. (Ward 4) s. Amendment NO.1 to Agreement No. 01-204 AGR 01-204(1) with Kleinfelder, Inc., ($283,965 for a total not to exceed compensation clause of $580,000) for Material Testing Services for various construction projects, Fiscal Years 01-02 and 02-03. t. Amendment NO.1 to Agreement No. 02-274 AGR 02-274(1) for the purchase of real property at 825 14th Street with Arlene K. Hunter for $150,000. (Ward 2) 344 Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 10 8. CONSENT CALENDAR continued ACTION TAKEN u. Agreement with Kern Economic Development Corporation for economic development in Kern County in an amount not to exceed $70,000. AGR 02-341 v. Amendment No. 1 Design Consultant Agreement No. 02-207 with Rossetti Architects, Inc. ($116,000 for a total not to exceed compensation clause of $829,000) for the design of the Bakersfield Aquatic Center and Ice Center. (Ward 2) REMOVED FOR SEPARA TE CONSIDERA TION w. Settlement Agreement and Improvement Agreement: (Ward 4) 1. Settlement Agreement between City, AGR 02-342 RiverLakes Investment Co., D.R. Horton, Curt Carter, and Donahue Schriber. 2. Approval of Improvement Agreement AGR 02-343 with RiverLakes Investment Co. for construction of signal at Coffee Road and Meany Avenue. x. Amendment NO.2 to Agreement No. 1-262 AGR 01-262(2) for time extension with A. Phillip Randolph Community Development Corporation for the Construction of a single Family home at 329 Clyde Street. (Ward 1) Bids: y. Accept bid to award contract to Gilliam & Sons, Inc. ($58,479) for Demolition of Improvements for the Aquatic and Ice Center Project. (Ward 2) AGR 02-344 Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 11 345 8. CONSENT CALENDAR continued ACTION TAKEN Z. Various Street Improvements - Hageman DELETED Road, Calloway Drive and Old Farm Road. (Ward 4) 1. Accept base and alternate bid to award contract to E & M Constructors Co. ($362,831.40) for the Project. 2. Approve Reimbursement Agreement with Riverlakes Community Church (actual cost of alternate bid to be reimbursed to City). 3. Appropriate $187,000 fund balance and $113,000 Developer Contribution to the Capital Improvement Budget within the Transportation Development Fund. Miscellaneous: aa. Appropriate $41,420 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funds to the Pedestrian/Bikeway Fund Capital Improvement Budget for the Northeast Bike Path Project. (Ward 3) bb. Job Specification: Superintendent Recreation cc. Approval of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan, Amendment No. 3, FY 02/03. (Ward 2) dd. Funding for Bakersfield Sanitary Landfill Closure: (Ward 3) 1. Appropriate and transfer $2,400,000 Refuse Fund balance to the Landfill Closure Fund to set aside additional funds for the Bakersfield Sanitary landfill Closure Project. Staff recommends adoption of Consent Calendar Items a. through dd. with the deletion of item z. 346 Bakersfield, California, November 20,2002 - Page 12 8. CONSENT CALENDAR continued ACTION TAKEN Motion by Salvaggio to adopt Consent Calendar APPROVED items 8.a. through 8.dd. with the deletion of item 8.z. and the removal of items 8.m., 8.0., and 8. v. for separate consideration. m. Amendment NO.9 to Resolution No. 44-93 Setting Salaries and Related Benefits for Temporary Salaries, Temporary Unit. AGR 44-93(9) Motion by Hanson to adopt item 8.m. o. Agreement to indemnify LAFCO for City AGR 02-339 Annexation No. 436, Proceeding 1346, uninhabited territory located in two separate areas (1) along Stockdale Highway right-of- way, west of Ashe Road and (2) south of Blomquist Drive to Belle Terrace, generally west of McDonald Way. (Ward 2,5 & 6) Motion by Couch to adopt item 8.0. v. Amendment No. 1 Design Consultant AGR 02-207 Agreement No. 02-207 with Rossetti Architects, Inc. ($116,000 for a total not to exceed compensation clause of $829,000) for the design of the Bakersfield Aquatic Center and Ice Center. (Ward 2) Motion by Hanson to adopt item 8. v. 9. HEARINGS a. Resolution ordering the vacation of the alley RES 198-02 on the west side of Owens Street southerly of State Freeway 178 at 1716 Owens Street. (Ward 2) Staff comments by Public Works Director Rojas. Hearing opened at 9:15 p.m. No one spoke. Hearing closed at 8:16 p.m. Motion by Benham to adopt the Resolution. APPROVED 347 Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 13 9. HEARINGS continued ACTION TAKEN b. Hearing to receive public comment on the proposed 2000-2021 Regional Transportation Impact Capital Improvement Plan and Fee Schedule. 1. A Resolution of the City of RES 199-02 Bakersfield adopting the 2000-2021 Regional Transportation Capital Improvement Plan. Staff comments by Public Works Director Rojas. Hearing opened at 8:17 p.m. No one spoke. Hearing closed at 8:17 p.m. Couch requested staff confirm the time frame for installation of a signal at Hageman and Patton. Motion by Salvaggio to adopt the Resolution. APPROVED c. Appeal by D. R. Horton of the Board of RES 200-02 Zoning Adjustment's decision to deny a modification to reduce the side yard setback from 6 feet and 5 feet (required) to 3 feet (proposed) in a subdivision tract zoned R-1 (One-Family Dwelling) and R-2 (Limited Multiple Family), to all lots within approved Tract 6107 which is located east of Calloway Drive and north of Hageman Road within the Riverlakes Golf Course area. (Ward 4) Staff comments by Development Services Director Hardisty. Hearing opened at 8:23 p.m. Brad Boe, representing D.R. Horton Homes, spoke in opposition to the staff recommendation. Hearing closed at 8:30 p.m. 348 Bakersfield, California, November 20,2002 - Page 14 9. HEARINGS continued ACTION TAKEN Motion by Couch to adopt the staff APPROVED recommendation denying the appeal and decision of the Board of Zoning Adjustment be upheld; refer to Urban Development Committee to address the issue of placement of media niches in relationship to fireplaces and side yard set backs and present findings to the Council; keep involved parties apprised of any proceedings. d. General Plan Amendment/Zone Change P01/756: Mcintosh & Associates is requesting an amendment to the Land Use Element of the Metropolitan Bakersfield 2010 General Plan changing the land use designation from LR (Low Density Residential) to GC (General Commercial) and a zone change amendment from R-1 (One-Family Dwelling) to C-2 (Regional Commercial) on 8.92 acre site located along the southeast corner of Stine Road and Panama Lane. (Ward 7) 1. Resolution approving the Negative RES 201-02 Declaration and adopting the General Plan Amendment to change land use designations from LR to C-2. 2. First reading of an ordinance FR adopting the Negative Declaration and amending Title 17 of the Municipal Code and Zoning Map 123-26 from R-1 to C-2/PCD. Staff comments by Development Services Director Hardisty. Hearing opened at 8:40 p.m. Frank Tripicchio and Danny Kane spoke in opposition to the staff recommendation, on behalf of the Kern County Electrical Retirement Trust Fund. Roger Mcintosh and David Millazzo spoke in favor of the staff recommendation. Bakersfield, California, November 20,2002 - Page 15 9. HEARINGS continued Danny Kane and Frank Tripicchio spoke in rebuttal in opposition of staff recommendation. Roger Mcintosh and David Millazzo in rebuttal in favor of staff recommendation. Hearing closed at 9:17 p.m. Motion by Salvaggio to adopt Resolution approving the General Plan Amendment and Zone Change with the PCDIC2 overlay; adopting the Negative Declaration and give first reading of the Ordinance. Recess taken from 9:55 p.m. to 10:05 p.m. e. General Plan Amendment 02-0623. (Ward 3) 1. Mcintosh & Associates is requesting amendment to the Circulation Element of the Metropolitan Bakersfield 2010 General Plan, deleting the segment of Circulation Element of the Metropolitan Bakersfield 2010 General Plan Deleting the segment of Masterson Street between Lake Ming Road and Bella Drive in northeast Bakersfield from the Circulation Element as a planned arterial. An appeal by the City of Bakersfield Public Works Department has been received. Staff comments by Development Services Director Hardisty and Public Works Director Rojas. Hearing opened at 10:12 p.m. Roger Mcintosh spoke on behalf of White and H Partners in opposition to the staff recommendation. No one spoke in favor of the staff recommendation. Hearing closed at 10:25 p.m. 349 ACTION TAKEN APPROVED NS BENHAM 350 Bakersfield, California, November 20,2002 - Page 16 9. HEARINGS continued ACTION TAKEN Motion by Maggard to defer the Item to the APPROVED December 11, 2002 meeting; staff to meet Immediately to resolve concerns and report back to Council. f. Submission of Section 108 Loan Public of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (Ward 1) RES 202-02 1. Resolution authorizing submission of a Section 108 loan application to HUD. 2. Approval of Amendment NO.4 to the FY 02/03 Action Plan. Staff comments by Economic and Community Director Kunz. No one spoke. Hearing closed at 11: 16 p.m Motion by Carson to adopt the Resolution with APPROVED changes incorporated. 10. REPORTS a. Amendment NO.2 to Agreement No. 02-042 AGR 02-042(2) with Bakersfield Senior Housing, Inc. for an additional $360,000 of HOME Investment Partnership funds for the Bakersfield Senior Center Low-Income Housing Project. (Ward 2) 1. Appropriate $215,000 uncommitted HOME funds to the Economic and Community Development Operating Budget. Staff comments by Economic and Community Development Director Kunz. Carson made comments and introduced the developer, Mr. Washington and members of the Senior Housing Board. Motion by Carson to approve the Agreement. APPROVED Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 17 11. DEFERRED BUSINESS None. 12. NEW BUSINESS None. 13. COUNCIL & MAYOR STATEMENTS Benham requested staff address the issue of damage and debris on the bikepath due to recent rain storms. Benham requested the Recreation and Parks Department address the issue of tennis court lights not working properly. Benham requested Code Enforcement and the Police Department address the noise and trash problems at the old Montgomery Wards site. Benham requested the Legislation and Litigation Committee consider adoption of a Resolution to both the California and National League of Cities, and the California and NatIonal Conference of Mayors, requesting those bodies pursue legislation earmarked for general hIgh speed rail funding, both at the state and federal levels, with particular attention to the Young- Overstarr High Speed Rail Bill and pursue a nine billion dollar earmark for the California High Speed Rail Project. In addition staff Is directed to explore membership for the year 2003 In the American High Speed Ground Transportation Association. Carson commended the Council for the Lakevlew A venue Streetscape and referred to the Community Services Committee the Issue of funding for sponsorship of a community celebration scheduled for January when the street will be renamed for Dr. Martin Luther King. Maggard requested staff supply contact information for Mr. Basara. Maggard requested Property Management Manager Don Anderson Investigate the potential acquisition of 40 acres of BLM land In the mIdst of the Northeast open space area and report his findings to the Council. 351 ACTION TAKEN 352 13. Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 18 COUNCIL & MAYOR STATEMENTS continued Hanson requested Budget and Finance Committee investigate possible ways to recover funds expended in the landfill closure. Hanson requested clarification of information provided to the retirees regarding health care costs. Hanson requested an update regarding the Rexland Acres sewer project. City Manager Tandy provided an update, stating that the County was not close to making a decision. Hanson requested staff provide information that will enable him to respond to Mr. James Sears regarding the fire inspection of buildings in the downtown area and the Decatur Hotel. Hanson expressed a concern regarding and issue involving Eastbourne Way. Public Works Director Rojas responded. Couch requested Code Enforcement address a complaint received from a constituent regarding a vehicle parked on the street for an extended period of time. Couch requested Parks follow up on an issue with trees. Couch requested Budget and Finance address the issue of how our parks are landscaped, what amenities are provIded and how that affects the Park Development Fees. Couch requested that due to the upcoming holidays which will fall on Thursdays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day), citizens normally provided trash pick-up on those days be reminded that service will be provided the next day. Couch requested a letter be sent to Kern COG regarding the High Speed Rail and the awardIng of a contract for a design consultant; delineating the elements and scope of work for the High Speed Rail location. ACTION TAKEN Bakersfield, California, November 20, 2002 - Page 19 13. COUNCIL & MAYOR STATEMENTS continued Couch requested developers be given an estimated amount in advance of the levying of Transportation Impact Fees. Public Works Director and City Manager Tandy responded. Sullivan complimented the improvements in Ward One and provided a narrative of her European vacation. Salvaggio requested staff stay abreast of the improvements at the Hwy. 99/White Lane interchange and provide any assistance CalTrans might require with the project. Salvaggio complimented staff on median improvements on South H Street. Mayor Hall made comments regarding correspondence received from the secretary of the president of the Kern County Cities Association regarding refuse fees; the concerns the rural cities share with Bakersfield at the proposed increase in fees and the prospect of the cities supporting each other in their opposition to the increase. 14. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 11:52 p.m. ATTEST: 353 ACTION TAKEN 354