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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/20/96 BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM September 20, 1996 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER hT'b.y r'~s, SUBJECT: GENERAL INFORMATION 1. A status report on Phases I and II of our annexation campaign is enclosed for your information. The prezoning of Chester went through the Planning Commission this week with only support - no opposition. 2. The preliminary phased construction concept plan for the Chester Avenue Streetscape Project is attached. This assumes starting sooner than we had originally expected to get it rolling! 3. The Consolidated 2000 Action Plan from Economic and Community Development is enclosed. A community workshop will be held on September 24th to provide information on applying for funds for FY 96-97. 4. I presented an in-study progress report to the DBA on the Convention Center expansion proposal this week. It was very well received. 5. The latest progress report on the Landfill/Bum Dump is attached. October 3rd is the next DTSC meeting with property owners on Panorama. 6. October 7, 8, and 9, I will be at the ICMA Annual Conference. John Stinson will be in charge during that time. 7. The media reports on Shafter wishing to annex down to Seventh Standard Road to take in the free trade zone are interesting. LAFCO wouldn't let us do an annexation one-quarter that size. Also, what the County does on the tax split would be interesting, since they have never allowed industrial .property to be under the Master Tax Split Agreement with us. Honorable Mayor and City Council September 20, 1996 Page 2 8. Responses to Council referrals are enclosed, as follows: · Time schedule for installation of traffic signal at Hageman/Calloway; · Panama Lane/Highway 99 Overpass project and the coordination with other agencies; · Completion and weed removal of the medians on White Lane from Wible to South H; · State landscaping project for Highway 99 between Wilson Road and Golden State Highway; · Possibility of placing caution lights ½ mile north and south of Ridgeview High School; · Restriping on Oak Street bridge and project status; · Final update on speed/traffic analysis for White Lane/Akers Road area; · Analysis of Proposition 217; · Use of Sinclair Paint Bldg. At 23rd and M Sts. 9. There are two articles enclosed on a "multiplex" facility built in Prince George, B.C. It appears to be a success and is in the ballpark of the Convention Center expansion we are studying. AT:rs cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, Acting City Clerk Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst BAKERSFIELD CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM SEPTEMBER 18, 1996 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER '/ / J ! FROM.'~.B. TEUBNER, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER SUBJECT: PHASE II ANNEXATION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN Per your request, a summary of our activities on Phase I and our action plan for Phase II are herein provided. Phase I The prezoning of the Chester #3 area is well underway and will be considered by the Planning Commission at the Sept. 19 Meeting. From that point it will go to the City Council for the General Plan Amendment and then we will file the application of annexation. We will also be filing the application of annexation for Dennen and Casa Loma. Initial returns of the opinion surveys on annexation for the areas has been very positive. We will continue the information campaign through the annexation process all the way to the end. With regard to Old Stockdale, we will be taking a break for awhile to regroup and restrategize. I still firmly believe that the area can be annexed, given the right strategy and circumstances. Perhaps we can revisit the area during our Phase III effort. Phase II After extensive research and input from City Councilmembers, we proposed to focus on Olive #3, Palm #1, Southgate #1 and Castro #3 for our Phase II efforts. Maps of the areas are attached. As with Phase I, we will phase the implementation of the campaign over the next few months. Palm' #1 will begin in September, Olive #3 will begin in October, Southgate #1 will begin in November and Castro #3, which will be divided into four subareas, will begin in December. The campaign will follow the same basic formula as in Phase I starting with meetings with supporters, mailing of the Hotline postcard, an introductory newsletter and subsequent meetings and newsletters based on resident response. S:~DOLORES~2CC.MEM Each area has a unique set of cbncerns and issues which we will address through the meetings and newsletters. Both Olive and Palm are primarily newer residential areas which are primarily interested in sewer service, improved police protection and removal or reduction in the number of Community Service Districts currently covering the areas. Southgate is similar in demographics to the Casa Loma area and so we will be focusing on community policing, code enforcement and neighborhood renewal and infrastructure issues. The Castro area has a history of opposition to annexation, however, I think much of that can be overcome through our new information focused approach. Their issues back in 1985 were sewer service, zoning and cost differentials for City services. Zoning is no longer a concern because of the subsequent prezoning of the area by the City and we can focus on sewer as a choice issue rather than a cost issue. We will also focus on the value-added services we provide and the cost savings of joining the City through the removal of CSA's. This was very effective in the Dennen and Chester areas. We will begin immediately on the Phase II focus areas and continue to keep you informed of the progress on the Phase I areas. If you need any additional information, please let me know. S:'~DOLORES~2CC.MEM 69/17/1996 09;31 865-326-3278 85-UNITE P~GE 02 ANNEXATION PROCESS SCHEDULE Chester 09-19-96 Planning Commission 21 day minimum notice & Hearing on Prezoning & posting required; must sign GPA proof of mailing Dennen 10-09-96 Application of Annexation No notice required to City Council Casa ]_,oma 11-06-96 City Council Resolution of Newspaper notice required Application Chester 11-20-96 City Council first reading of 10 day minimum notice & zoning ordinance & posting required; must sign adopting GPA proof of mailing Dennen 11-26-96 LAFCO Hearing on Newspaper notice required Annexation Chester 12-04-96 City Council second reading Notice required & adopting zoning & GPA Chester 12-04-96 Application of Annexation No notice required to City Council Casa Loma 12-96 LAFCO Hearing on Newspaper notice required Annexation Dennen 1st Mtg, -- 01-97 Protest Hearing before the 20 day minimum notice & City Council posting required; must sign proof of mailing Chester 01-22-97 LAFCO Hearing on Newspaper notice required Annexation Casa Loma 1st Mtg. -- 02-97 Protest Hearing before the 20 day minimum notice & City Council posting required; must sign proof of mailing Chester 2nd Mtg. -- 02-97 Protest Hearing before the 20 day minimum notice & City Council posting required; must sign proof of mailing OLIVE DRIVE NO. 3 AREA PALM NO. 1 AREA Z 26 30 35 36 I ,36. 31 1295, T29S, ~ E26£ R27£ 0 80~ SOUTHGATE NO. 1 AREA ----.J L~_J..J)L BELLE J 6 TERRACE -- ~tNG CASTRO NO. 4 AREA HIGHWAY 58 :'- ,,,,' I BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WO~E~p~RTMENT TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager. j/// , FROM: Raul R°Jas, Publii works'EYffector~ , ,__ ~tJ~g'~a'd~ 'DATE: September 11, 1996 .. ~ ................ SUBJECT: . cHEsTER AVENUE STREETSCAPE PROJECT In response to your question regarding phased construction of the Chester Avenue Project we have established the following preliminary phased construction concept plan that may be workable: Phase I Construct landscaped center median islands (Trees, shrubs, grass, and irrigation system in medians with provisions for extending irrigation system to future parkway landscape development) To accomplish this phase, a minimum of three (3) contractors will be required: 1. Contractor (A) license (Street excavation, and concrete work.) 2. Landscape/Irrigation Contractor 3. Electrical Contractor (traffic signal interconnect, special event lighting outlets) Phase II Construct Parkway (sidewalk areas) landscaping and hardscape (Trees, shrubs, tree grates, bowouts and conduits for parkway landscape development) To accomplish this phase, a minimum of three (3) contractors will be required: 1. Contractor (A) license (trenching, excavation, concrete work) 2. Landscape/Irrigation Contractor 3. Electrical Contractor (install conduit for future Street lighting system) Phase III Construct new parkway street lighting To accomplish this phase, a minimum of one (1) contractor will be required:' 1. Electrical Contractor Phase IV Construct new hardscape intersections (Concrete headers, brick and stamped patterns, excavations) To accomplish this phase, a minimum of one (1) contractor will be required: 1. Contractor (A) license (Street excavation, concrete work, demolitiotO - On August 15, we found out that the CTC will be meeting on September 18, 1996, to make their final determinations as to which projects will receive TEA funds. I understand that the Chester Avenue Streetscape project is number two on the list, so our chance of receiving those funds is very good. These funds may possibly be available as early as October, 1996. It is also my understanding that if we implement a phased construction of the Chester Avenue project prior to these funds actually being committed to the City, it could have an impact on the amount of funds to be awarded and complicate the reimbursement process. Therefore, I recommend that we not take any action on construction phasing until we know the outcome of the CTC meeting and know the date on which the City funds would be available. We could then · more accurately assess our position regarding funding for potential construction phasing. cc: Jacques LaRochelle, Engineering Services Manager Theodore D. Wright, Civil Engineer IV Don Hoggatt, Park & Landscape Designer Donna Barnes, Development Associate Jake Wager, Economic Development Director BAKERSFIELD Economic and Community Development Department MEMORANDUM September 13, 1996 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: George Gonzale~0/mmunity Development Coordinator SUBJECT: Consolidated Pla!It 2000 Action Plan for FY 1997-98 The attached letter was sent to over 135 non-profit agencies, housing developers, lenders, other entities, and individuals who may have an interest in applying for next year's Department funds. If you would like this information mailed to someone who may not have received the notice, please call me at 326-3765. A similar notice is being forwarded to City departments who may have projects that might be eligible for funding. A community workshop is also scheduled (attached flyer) to provide information to residents. B A K E R S F I E L D September 12, 1996 Dear Valued Member of the Community: The City of Bakersfield cordially invites you to a very_ important workshop where we will launch our 3rd planning year for Consolidated Plan 2000. The purpose of the workshop will be to discuss the application process for potential use of available funds for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 (July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1998). We will be discussing the application process for three major sources of grant monies: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership (HOME), and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG). If you represent an agency or organization interested in applying for any FY 1997-98 funds, please be aware that requests for funding always exceeds the amount of available funds. We encourage all those interested in funding to attend the workshop to learn about making their proposals more competitive. Please RSVP by September 23, by calling the Department's 324-RSVP hotHne 024-7787). The enclosed notice provides information about a neighborhood meeting in which the application process is discussed in more general terms. Please distribute and/or post the enclosed flyer announcing the meeting. I look forward to your attendance at the 3:00 workshop, September 24. Very Truly Yours, City of Bakersfield · Economic and Community Development Department 515 Truxtun Avenue · Bakersfield · California 93301 (805) 326-3765 ° Fax (805) 328-1548 ° TDD (805) 324-3631 B A K.E R S F I E L D YOU'RE INVITED TO A PUBLIC MEETING The City of Bakersfield will launch its third planning year for the Consolidated Plan 2000 with a community meeting in September 1996. Thc community is invited to meet with City representatives to discuss the needs ih the community and potential funds to deal with those needs. The meeting will give those attending information and the chance to comment on: The City's approved Consolidated Plan 2000 Prior Program Performance " Eligible activities Available funds for Fiscal Year 1997-98 How organizations and individuals can apply for assistance Application and implementation process We will be discussing three major sources of grant money for Fiscal Year 1997-98 which will help fund City programs (over $4 million was budgeted for FY 1996-97): Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) The results of these meetings will be the basis for developing an Action Plan for FY 1997-98 to try and solve these problems in our community: Housing, homeless, economic development (job opportunities), public facilities, (community/neighborhood centers, day care centers), and infrastructure (drainage systems, curbs and gutters, street lighting, etc.). Join your neighbors and City officials at... 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 24, 1996 Convention Center, "Grape Room" 1001 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield FOr more information please call or stop by the Department's office. The meeting room is accessible to the handicapped. For special arrangements, please contact this department. City of Bakersfield · Economic and Community Development Department 515 Truxtun Avenue · Bakersfield · California 93301 (805) 326-3765 ° Fax (805) 328-1548 ° TDD (805) 324-3631 BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul M. Rojas, Public Works Direct0r~j DATE: September 20, 1996 SUBJECT: LANDFILL/BURN DUMP PROGRESS REPORT The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and Kleinfelder have completed several key steps in the Expedited Remedial Action Program (ERAP). These are: interviews with residents and other interested parties, the Public Participation Plan document, the Sampling Investigation Work Plan, the Site Health and Safety Work Plan, and mailing of the attached Fact Sheet to all concerned parties. A community meeting will be conducted by the DTSC with City and Kleinfelder support at 7:00 p. n~ on October 3 at the Highland High School Cafeteria. The DTSC has obtained written permission to take soil samples from fourteen of the nineteen properties. Residents at 3808 and 3908 have verbally expressed intent to grant permission. The Shaktas, at 3504, have flatly refused, and the Humphreys, at 3608, have not reached a decision. The DTSC estimates sampling will begin around October 7th. As far as the rest of the landfill issues, things are going well. Most gas probes continue to read near zero. We have just received consultant reports on the old condensate well investigation and on the groundwater probes under the SWAT program. We will analyze these and report the outcome in the near future. c: Judy K. Skousen, City Attorney · Don Anderson, Property Management Cal/ Department of Toxic Substances Control 400 P Street 4th Floor P.O. Box 806 Sacramento, CA 95812-0806 This fact sheet announces the change of Site..Description oversight, agency of the Panorama Drive The Site is a former burn dump located on a Former Bum Dump Site (Site) in bluff overlooking the City of Bakersfield Bakersfield, California. This project is now (City) Sanitary Landfill (Landfill), northeast under the oversight of the California of the City. Bum dump wastes at the site Department of Toxic Substances Control are present in portions of a majority of the (DTSC) within the Expedited Remedial 19 residential lots on Panorama Drive. Action Program (ERAP). This Fact Sheet These wastes represent both in-place also describes the ERAP program; Site material and material that may have been history; project schedule; and the public distributed during past grading and involvement process, which will play a consmaction activities. Generally, the significant role in the mitigation of this Site. burned material is in the residential back For the site location, please refer to Figure 1. yards and in the bluff north of the back [ ~!~!~ ~!!~! [ yards. Dioxins, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and nickel related to the bum material have been detected in soils in these areas. Community meetings are designed to provide interested parties an oppommity to Site Histom_ hear details of DTSC's plans or findings. A The City began operating the 'bum dump in major part of these meetings will be devoted 1943. Refuse was deposited on the bluff to questions from the audience. The first north of the present location of Panorama informational public meeting is scheduled Drive, burned, and pushed over the edge. for October 3, 1996, at the Highland High Bum operations were continued until 1956, School Cafateria (2900 Royal Scots Way, when the Site was converted to a sanitary Bakersfield) at 7:00 P.M. landfill, and wastes were disposed in two September 16, 1996 09-96-60 1 natural canyons below and north of the participation remains central to this bluff. Sometime before July 1957, the top expedited cleanup process, and compliance of the bluff was graded for residential with the DTSC's public participation construction. Burned wastes that had manual is a statutory requirement. accumulated on the bluff were likely mixed with native or imported soils during the Another feature of the program is the grading process. During grading, wastes oppommity for timely dispute resolution, may have been re-distributed towards the which uses a formal arbitration process. north, over the surface of a larger area than With this process, the public and affected that originally used for burning. Between community have an opportunity to request 1974 and 1976, 19 houses were built on the formal arbitration when informal disputes bluff that overlooks the Landfill. cannot be resolved. Disputes that may be arbitrated include issues relating to remedy Bum dump wastes at the site are present in selection, allocation of liability, change in portions of a majority of the 19 residentiallhnd"use, and certification of completion. lots on Panorama Drive. The depth and extent of the material has not been fully DT$¢BecomesLeadAgen~_ assessed. On April 8, 1996, DTSC received a Notice  of Intent from the City to consider the Site for ERAP. The Notice of Intent stated that the City agrees to comply with the Background oftheExpeditedRemedial legislative requirements to perform an Action Program investigation and remediate the contamination. After determining the City The ERAP, created through legislation (SB met the eligibility requirements, DTSC 923), established Chapter 6.85 of the Healthrecommended to the Site Designation and Safety Code entitled "California Committee (SDC) that the Site be Expedited Remedial Action Reform Act of considered for the ERAP. 1994". The provisions of this Chapter were developed to expedite remediation of On May 29, 1996, the SDC determined that DTSC was the appropriate administrating contaminated properties. The program provides a common sense approach to site agency to oversee the site investigation and remedial action pursuant to the ERAP. You investigation and remediation, and reduces may have received a fact sheet regarding the the need for costly and time-consuming SDC hearing. litigation. Key incentives to this voluntary program are that the cleanup remedy is based on the permanent land use, liability is determined using fair and equitable principles, and the permitting and regulatory oversight are consolidated. Public September 16, 1996 09-96-60 2 IV. PROJECT SCHEDULE that are eligible for the public review. You may review this information during normal It is anticipated that investigative field work library hours, or contact the Librarian at will be conducted in early to mid October (805) 871-9017. with the results available in late November. It is anticipated the Remedial Action Plan l~al/l/Jtlg./,~ along with the Health Risk Assessment will be available for review in March, 1997. A mailing list containing the addresses of all Final Site remediation is expected to commence in July, 1997. '~ kno. wn interested parties has been created and will be utilized when DTSC issues Fact Sheets, fliers, letters, and other written V. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT notices and information, if you are not on PROCESS the mailing list, you may have your name ~dded by contacting Jim Marxen, DTSC, at (916) 324-6544, or by returning the coupon Under State and Federal law, public at the end of this fact sheet. acceptance plays a major role in the remedial process. Additionally, legislation Fact Sheets and Fliers that created the ERAP process strengthened the public's role when it included DTSC's The DTSC will mail fact sheets and fliers public participation guidance within the law. when investigation and remediation milestones approach. For instance, a fact Public Parffc~t~ationPlan sheet or flier will be mailed before beginning major field work such as The DTSC is developing a public sampling, when sample results are available, participation plan using interviews with when significant documents are available, community members, and a survey. The and when community meetings are public participation plan is a communication scheduled. plan written specifically for this site. This plan will discuss communication options Community_Meetings that fit the desires of the affected community. Community meetings are designed to provide interested parties an oppommity to Information Re_vosito~_ hear details of DTSC's plans or findings. A significant period of time will be devoted to Information repositories have been established at the Northeast Branch of the questions from the audience. The first informational public meeting is scheduled Kern County Public Library, located at 3725 for October 3, 1996, at the Highland High Columbus Avenue and at the Beal Library School Cafateria at 7:00 P.M. located at 701 Truxtun Avenue. The repositories will contain all significant draft September 16, 1996 09-96-60 3 Telephone Conversations FOR FURTHER INFORMATION... DTSC staff encourage telephone conversations when any resident has a For further information about this project, question or concern about any of the you may visit the information repositories at activities at this site. Please utilize the the Northeast Branch of the Kern County telephone numbers in this Fact Sheet Public Library located at 3725 Columbus whenever you need to contact DTSC staff. Avenue and at the Beal Library located at 701 Truxton Avenue, or you may contact · . DTSC staff members. Adam Palmer Jim Marxen Project Manager Public Participation and Education 10151 Croyden Way, Suite 3 "~ 40i) P Street Sacramento, California 95827-2106 P.O. Box 806 (916) 255-3669 Sacramento, California 95812-0806 (916) 324-6544. If you did not receive this fact sheet in the mail, you are not currently on the mailing list. To have your name added to the mailing list for the Site, please complete this coupon and mail it to Jim Marxen, Department of Toxic Substances Control, 400 P Street, P.O. Box 806, Sacramento, California 95812-0806. Please note, mailing lists are public documents. NAME STREET ADDRESS CITY ZIP CODE September 16, 1996 09-96-60 4 ~ ~ B A K E R S F I E,.J~ D PUBLIC WORKS DEPAP,ffI~Ig/r . RAUL ROJAS- PUBLIC WORKS DI~(EcToR~~ '"-~ FROM: DATE: September 20, 1996 SUBJECT: COUNCIL REFERRAL WF0011874/~1, MCDERMO~ HAGEMAN/CALLOWA Y TRAFFIC SIGNAL ******************************************************************************************** %e pla~s tbr ~s ~c si~ will ~ prepared by a com~mnt ~at was used last fiscal year on ano~er ~a~c si~ project. %e com~mt ~s ~n conm~ re~r~ ~is project, and it is anticipated ~at ~e plato will ~ completed ~ ~at ~e project can bid in mid to late December. City of Bakersfield *REPRINT* WORK REQUEST PAGE 1 REQ/JOB: WF00~-i874 /'~001 PROJECT: DATE PRINTED: 9/13/96 .~_~_ ......... REQUEST DATE: 9/11/96 SCHEDULE DATES CREW: START: 9/11/96 ': COMPLETION: 9/23/96 GEN. LOC: WARD4 FRoM:FACILITY NODES FACILITY ID: TO: REF NBR: COUNCIL REQ DEpT: CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL PRIORITY: HIGH REQUESTOR: REFERRAL - MCDERMOTT ORIGIN: CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL WORK TYPE: REFERRAL DESCRIPTION: HAGEMAN & CALLOWAY/TRAFFIC SIGNAL PLACEMENT REQUEST COMMENTS ***REFERRAL TO puBLIC WORKS~'** MCDERMOTT REQUESTED STAFF PROVIDE HIM WITH A TIME SCHEDULE OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL PLACEMENT AT HAGEMAN & CALLOWAY. AND REQUESTED IT BE PLACED ON THE FAST TRACK FOR COMPLETION. JOB ORDER DESCRIPTION: HAGEMAN & CALLOWAY/TRAFFIC SIGNAL PLACEMENT Category: PUBLIC WORKS TASK: RESPONSE TO REFERRAL ASSIGNED DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS START DATE / / COMPLETION DATE BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS~IRE~TOR~~'~ DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 1996 SUBJECT: COUNCIL REFERRAL WF0011867/001, SALVAGGIO STATUS ON PANAMA LANE OVERCROSSING AT FREEWAY 99. Design of the Panama Lane Overcrossing at Freeway 99 is complete and has been submitted to Cal Trans for final approval. This review should be cursory and should be completed around the third week of September 1996. We are estimating that plans and specifications will be ready for an advertising date of October 7, 1996, with an approximate bid opening date of November 7, 1996. It is anticipated that City Council would award the contract on the November 20, 1996 Council meeting and construction could begin in early December 1996. City of Bakersfield *REPRINT* REQ/JOB: wF001186~ / 001 PROJECT: DATE PRINTED: ,~13/96 REQUEST DATE: · 11/96' SCHEDULE DATES CREW: START: 9/11/96 COMPLETION: 9/23/96 FACILITY NODES GEN. LOC: WARD7 FROM: FACILITY ID: TO: REF NBR: COUNCIL ~'l'~'l'~ REQ DEPT: CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL PRIORITY: HIGH REQUESTOR: REFERRAL - SALVAGGIO ORIGIN: CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL WORK TYPE: REFERRAL DESCRIPTION: PANAMA LN/HWY 99 OVERPASS PROJECT REQUEST COMMENTS ***REFERRAL TO PUBLIC WORKS*** SALVAGGIO REQUESTED STAFF PROVIDE A STATUS OF THE PANAMA LN/HWY 99 OVERPASS PROJECT, AND THE COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCYS. JOB ORDER DESCRIPTION: PANAMA LN/HWY 99 OVERPASS PROJECT Category: PUBLIC WORKS TASK: RESPONSE TO REFERRAL ASSIGNED DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS START DATE / / COMPLETION DATE BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEP~] ~IENT MEMORA~ TO: ALAN TANDY- CITY MANAGER //~/ ROJAS- PUBLIC WORKS DIRE( :TOR FROM: RAUL DATE: September 19, 1996 SUBJECT: COUNCIL REFERRAL WF0011865/001, SALVAGGIO WHITE lANE MEDIANS ******************************************************************************************** Plans tbr the surfacing of the medians in White Lane have been completed, specifications for the project will be completed next week and the project will be advertised for bidding within the next 2 weeks. The median will be surfaced similar to the median in Stockdale Highway except that exposed aggregate concrete will be used in-lieu of the red stamped concrete, and grey cobble sized (4"-6" diameter) rock will be used within the exposed aggregate concrete. :':"~ 2 0 10o96 ' .I ,i ........ ~ !~ ~.~.~ City of Bakersfield *REPRINT* WORK REQUEST PAGE 1 REQ/JOB: ~WF0011865 / 001 PROJECT: DATE PRINTED: 9/13/96 ..... REQUEST DATE: 9/ 11/96 CREW: SCHEDULE DATES START: 9/11/96 ~ATION: COMPLETION: 9/23/96 GEN. LOC: WARD7 FACILITY NODES FROM: FACILITY ID: TO: REF NBR: COUNCIL REQ DEPT: CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL PRIORITY: HIGH REQUESTOR: REFERRAL - SALVAGGIO ORIGIN: CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL WORK TYPE: REFERRAL DESCRIPTION: MEDIANS ON WHITE LN REQUEST COMMENTS ***REFERRAL TO COMMUNITY SVCS DEPT*** SALVAGGIO REQUESTED STAFF PROVIDE A STATUS UPDATE OF WHEN THE MEDIANS ON WHITE LN FROM WIBLE TO SOUTH H STREET WILL BE COMPLETED AND THE WEED REMOVED. JOB ORDER DESCRIPTION: MEDIANS ON WHITE LN Category: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPT TASK: RESPONSE TO REFERRAL ASSIGNED DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPT START DATE / / COMPLETION DATE / / MEMORANDUM TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: FRANK FABBRI, PARKS SUPERINTENDENT ~ SUBJECT: COUNCIL REFERRAL WF001931 (SALVAGGIO-WARD 7) DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 This is an update on the plans for the proposed State landscaping project on Highway 99 between Wilson Road and Golden State Highway, (State Route 204).' I received copies of the landscaping plans from Ms. Lori Butler, Caltran Landscape Architect for the Bakersfield District. We learned that the plans were prepared by an outside consultant and the City of Bakersfield had no input or review of the plans. Ms. Butler indicated the construction schedule has been delayed but would most likely start before the end of the year. She also indicated our comments would be considered if we submitted them in a timely manner. On September 16, 1996 I sent copies of the plans to the Public Works Department for their comments. Parks will also review the plans and send comments from both Departments to Ms. Butler. We will continue to work with Caltrans and keep you informed as to our progress. cc: Lee Andersen, Community Services Manager Raul Rojas, Public Works Director File: wf10931 ~0~ ~ 0 I BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Traffic Engineering Memorandum DATE: September 20, 1996 TO: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR FROM: STEPHEN L. WALKER, TRAFFIC ENGINEER ~ SUBJECT: UPDATE - CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL, WF0008271, CAUTION LIGHTS/RIDGEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL. (NO WARD) REFERRAL/REQUEST: "COUNCIL REQUESTED STAFF LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF PLACING CAUTION LIGHTS 1/2 MILE NORTH AND SOUTH OF RIDGEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL." RESPONSE: Update: As noted in the initial response memo, a traffic analysis of the need for a flashing yellow school zone beacon or traffic control at Ryzona and Stine, located at Ridgeview High School, was performed. An initial review indicated that the full study must be done during the school year. Data was collected during the second and third weeks of school in September 1996. Based on the just completed investigation, two flashing beacons, one at either end of the school zone on Stine, would be appropriate. Recommendation is made to install the school zone beacons and include in the next available budget. If school zone beacons are installed, it will still not mitigate the problem at the Ryzona and Stine intersection which serves as primary access to the school site and student parking lots. Investigation continues for possible traffic signal in the future or a multi-way stop at the intersection. cc: Traffic Engineering File - Ridgeview High, Council ReL slw: PADATA\W~1996\wf08271 a.re f BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORAN~ TO'. ALAN TANDY- CITY MANAGER FROM: R~UL ROJAS- PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR~ DATE: September 13, 1996 SUBJECT: COUNCIL REFERRAL WF0011877/001, DEMOND RESTRIPING ON OAK STREET ******************************************************************************************** The contractor (Griffith Co.) performing the reconstruction of Oak Street between 24th Street and Truxtun Avenue prepared and submitted to this Department a detour plan for the project. The len~mh of the lane transition/merge area shown on his approved plan was about 350 feet, while the transition that he actually marked on the pavement had a length of only about 240 feet. The contractor had been contacted early last week to correct this error. He was contacted again Thursday morning (9/12/96), and he indicated a difficulty in ~curing the subcontractor necessary to remove the existing incorrect striping. Therefore. the City annual contractor tbr stripe removal removed the incorrect striping and City crews restriped the transition Thursday afterntx~n (9/12/96). This City work will be accounted for in the contract with Griffith Co. for this project. The contractor completed the paving of Oak Street Monday night (9/15/96). Finish work such as raising manholes to grade, traffic signal loop repair, and striping will follow. City of Bakersfield *REPRINT* WORK REQUEST PAGE 1 REQ/JOB: WF00~1877 / 001 PROJECT: DATE PRINTED: 9/13/96 ~ ~. REQUEST DATE: '- 9/11/96 ...... SCHEDULE DATES CREW: START: 9/11/9'6 ~ATION: COMPLETION: 9/23/96 FACILITY NODES GEN. LOC: WARD2 FROM: FACILITY ID' TO: · REF NBR: COUNCIL ~'~'~'r~ REQ DEPT: CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL PRIORITY: HIGH ORIGIN: CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL REQUESTOR: REFERRAL - DEMOND WORK TYPE: REFERRAL DESCRIPTION: RESTRIPING ON OAK STREET BRIDGE REQUEST COMMENTS_ ***REFERRAL TO PUBLIC WORKS*** DEMOND REQUESTED S~AFF LOOK A? THE RESTRIPING DONE ON THE OAK STREET BRIDGE. SHE FEELS IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MAY NEED TO BE RE-DONE. SHE ALSO REQUESTED A STATUS ON THE PROJECT FROM TRUXTUN NORTH - WHAT IS THE DELAY? JOB ORDER DESCRIPTION: RESTRIPING ON OAK STREET BRIDGE Category: PUBLIC WORKS TASK: RESPONSE TO REFERRAL ASSIGNED DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS START DATE / / COMPLETION DATE BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Traffic Engineering Memorandum DATE: September 18, 1996' TO: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR FROM: STEPHEN L. WALKER, TRAFFIC ENGINEER.~ SUBJECT: FINAL UPDATE TO CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL No. WFOOO8780, SPEED LIMIT ON WHITE LANE, WARD 06. As requested, an analysis of speeds, traffic volume and accident history was completed for White Lane in the area of Akers Road. No changes to the speed limit are proposed. Other improvements to restrict traffic movements without impeding traffic flow are suggested to reduce potential vehicle conflicts. SPEED LIMIT: Four speed limit surveys of White Lane at various locations east and west of Akers Road were completed. The average speed of all traffic on White Lane is 47.5 miles per hour. The pace, a grouping of the greatest number of vehicles travelling within a 10 mile per hour increment, was found to be 42 to 52 miles per hour. Up to 75 percent of the cars were within this range. The 85th Percentile speed, from which the speed limit is set per State law, ranged from 51 to 52 miles per hour. The speed limit is set at the next lower 5 mph increment, or, in this case 50 miles per hour. The speed limit of 50 miles per hour is therefore justified per State law and can now be enforced by the Police Department with radar. No changes are proposed. TRAFFIC VOLUME: In 1993, the traffic volume on this segment of White Lane was about 30,000 vehicles on an average 24 hour weekday. In 1995, the traffic volumes decreased to about 27,000 on an average 24 hour weekday. The spot 24 hour volume count recorded last week indicates that traffic volume is up on White Lane and is now at about 32,000, which is higher than the previous peak in 1993. Based on the lane configuration of White Lane, the road currently has a Level of Service rating of "B". White Lane is designed to have a maximum capacity of about 60,000 vehicles per day. The desired maximum is about 45,000 vehicles per day, at which level the road can still operate at the 2010 General Plan designated Level of Service "C" for an arterial road such as White Lane. With development continuing to the west, traffic volumes are expected to continue to rise for White Lane as the principal arterial road connection to the southwest part of Bakersfield. ROAD CLASSIFICATION/DESCRIPTION: As previously noted, White Lane is the principal arterial connection to the majority of southwest Bakersfield. The road is classified as an arterial. This designation means that direct access, such as driveways are kept to a minimum and turn movements, such as left turns, are limited as traffic volumes increase. Eventually, a median is constructed to restrict turns, thereby reducing conflicts and maintaining a high level of traffic flow. The limited residential lots that front newer portions of White Lane on the south side have only alley access for vehicles with no driveways on White Lane. A limited number of older, about txventy years or more old, residential lots to the east have direct driveway access. Newer apartment units on the north side of White Lane have restricted access, like the single family units on the south side, with a very limited number of common access drives leading to apartment parking lots. TRAFFIC CONTROLS: Restrictive controls in the form of traffic signals are spaced at one-half mile intervals. Between Wible and Stine there is a traffic signal at Akers Road. This traffic signal is an eight-phase signal with left turn protection and full pedestrian signal indication and protection. In addition to the provided traffic signal for traffic restriction and control of traffic flow, a full-time, adult, school crossing guard is provided by the City of Bakersfield to escort elementary school students across White Lane during the normal school year. During the summer, the school crossing guard is provided by the City when requested by the school district for their summer school session. Since · the existing City installed traffic signal is at full buildout and function, no additional traffic signal controls are identified. LANE CONTROLS: Directional lane control now exists in the form of a continuous turn lane separating eastbound and westbound traffic. The continuous turn lane also functions as a holding lane for traffic making left turns from a side street or driveway and then merge into the flow of traffic. As traffic volumes on an arterial increase and an increase in turns from side streets or drives occur, the result can be potential, or real, vehicle conflicts with other directions of traffic. Traffic flow is reduced and congestion as well as accidents can occur. When this is evident, a permanent concrete median, with very limited openings for left turns, can be beneficial in reducing or eliminating conflicts in traffic direction and accidents. RECOMMENDATION: Since the traffic signal is fully built out and an adult school crossing guard is provided, the remaining improvement would be construction of raised medians replacing the existing continuous turn lane control. The areas of White Lane with the greatest potential for turning movements are in the area of commercial activity at Akers Road intersection and east of the Stine Road intersection. Medians should be installed in these areas to reduce or eliminate left turns from the side street or driveways and thereby reduce collisions and improve traffic flow. cc: Jacques LaRochelle, Engineering Services Manager Darnell Haynes, Asst. to Public Works Director Bruce Deeter, CE III, Traffic Engineering Brad Underwood, CE III, Traffic Engineering PW Memo Files Traffic Engineering File - White lane near Akers, Referral WF0008780 slw: P:~DATA\WP~1996\wf08780a.ref BAKERSFIELD CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM September 19, 1996 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst III ~ ~ SUBJECT: Proposition 217 (WF0011872) Proposition 217's main thrust is to reinstate a legislated tax increase for California high income taxpayers which expired in 1995, allocating the increase from the tax to schools and local governments. Additionally, according to information provided through the League of California Cities, it restricts the ability of the state to reduce the income taxes paid by higher-income taxpayers without a vote of the people. Some backgound information is needed to set the stage for the proposed proposition. According to the California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), the state imposed a temporary income tax rate increase in 1991 (which ended in 1995) adding 10% and 11% rates for the highest-income taxpayers. This was one of the many actions the state took to increase revenues and reduce expenditures during the early 1990s when California was facing a severe recession, resulting in significant shortfalls in the state budget. The state reduced expenditures by lowering the share of school funding paid by the state and raising the share paid by local property taxes -- shifting property tax revenues from counties, cities, and special districts to schools. This action did not change the overall level of spending on schools; instead, it reduced the amount the state needed to pay from its revenues in support of schools. The state shifted about $3.6 billion in property tax revenues, reducing the amount of property tax revenues going to local governments each year by about 25 percent. These property tax revenue losses are partially offset by $1.6 billion in increased sales tax revenues from Proposition 172 in 1993, which restricted the sales tax revenues to fund public safety programs. Alan Tandy, City Manager Page 2 Proposition 217 September 19, 1996 Proposition 217 reinstates the legislated upper level income tax on an initiative level. California's personal taxable income rates currently vary from 1% to 9.3% depending on taxable income. The Proposition would reinstate the 10% and 11% respective income tax rates for upper income taxpayers. The LAO estimates that under the measure an individual would fall within the 10% income bracket if his/her taxable income ranged between $115,000 and $230,000, with the 11% range effective over $230,000. Married couples would fall within these ranges if their taxable incomes were between $230,000 and $460,000 (10%) and over $460,000 (11%). The measure affects about 1% of taxpayers in California, who currently pay approximately $6.5 billion (31%) of the total personal income taxes collected each year. It has been estimated that the tax increase would raise state general fund revenues by about $700 million, or 1.5% each year. According to the California State Constitution, increases in the state's general fund revenues generally result in increased levels of funding for schools. The LAO estimates that over the next several years schools would get about half of the additional money resulting from the tax increase. About half of the additional money raised by the tax increase would be allocated to local governments, based on the amount of money that was lost as a result of property tax shifts (minus the amount received from Proposition 172 sales tax revenues). The local share would be 54% to counties, 22% to cities, 24% to special districts. Additionally, the measure prohibits the state from shifting additional property tax revenues away from local governments. Proposition 217 goes through several pages of text to constitutionalize the processes needed to accomplish its intent. The City Attorney's Office has indicated that there may be reason for concern about the impact the Proposition's language will have on redevelopment agencies. In such a situation, it would certainly be prudent to try to assess/quantify the direct fiscal impact the Proposition would have on the City prior to declaring a City position. (P:\LEGIS\PROP217A) cc: Janice Scanlon, Deputy City Attorney .City of Bakersfield ~/~o~: w~oo~.?o / oo~ ~o~: ~ ~.~.~: ~~ REQUEST DATE:~11796 CREW: SCHEDULE DAT STAR~: ~[11196 LOCATION: COMPLETION: 9~23~96 GEN. LOC: WARD2 FACILITY NODES FROM: FACILITY ID: TO: REF NBR: COUNCIL--ST~T~ REQ DEPT: CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL PRIORITY: HIGH REQUESTOR: REFERRAL - DEMOND ORIGIN: CITY COUNCILREFERRAL WORK TYPE: REFERRAL DESCRIPTION: SINCLAIR PAINT BLDG/23RD AND M STREETS REQUEST COMMENTS ***REFERRAL TO DEVELOPMENT SVCS*** DEMOND REQUESTED STAFF FIND OUT WHO IS MOVING INTO THE OLD SINCLAIR PAINT STORE AT 23RD & M STREETS. JOB ORDER DESCRIPTION: SINCLAIR PAINT BLDG/23RD AND M STREETS Category: DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TASK: RESPONSE TO REFERRAL ASSIGNED DEPARTMENT: DEVELOPMENT SERVICES START DATE / /__ COMPLETION DATE / /.__ Prince George M[ LTIPLEX ARENA HOCKEY & CONCERTS To B.C.'s 'NORTHERN CAPITAL' 'STORIES BY JAMES ZOLTAK PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. ~ This growing community of 75,000 bills favor and that~ a significant margin of support." itself as "British Columbia's Northern Capital," so it's only fitting that Madden said part of the process leading up to the referendum was the city should have a first-class arena for hockey and special events, the hiring of Vancouver, B.C.-based PBK Architects to develop a'con- The 7,500-seat Prince George Multiplex, built a year ago at a cost ceptual plan for what would become the Multipurpose Centre. The of $21.7 million ($15.1 million U.S.), has already helped the city lure company has designed numerous assembly facilities in Western Cana- a Western Hockey League franchise from Victoria, the real capital of da, including the Centrium in Red Deer, Alta.; Saskatchewan Place in British Columbia, and the building figures to make the city a viable stop Saskatoon; Riverside Coliseum in Kamloops, B.C.; Edmonton (Alta.) for major touring acts. . ;'The starting poini was five years ago," said Multiplex General Man- ' Coliseum (formerly Edmonton Northlands Coliseum); and the Pacif- ic Coliseum and B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver, B.C. ager Tom Madden. ;'The · "They prepared a city council determined model and then we went they [were interested in] , into the community to providing a variety of fa- give people information cilities for our communi- about what they would ty, one of which wa~'a get for the money that multipurpose facility It . was to be spent," Madden went to a referendum in' said, explaining that the fall of 1993 and vot- .. Prince George had clear- ers were asked if they' ly outgrown the 2,000- wished to build the seat ice arena, the Prince building and borrow up George Coliseum, which to $21 million ($15.33 had been built 35 years million) to provide for ago. debentures (the U.S. ~ "Itisn'ta multipurpose equivalent of bonds). The facility," Madden said of voters said yes. ~They were 78% in Prince George Multiplex Continued On Next Page PRINCE GEORGE MULTIPLEX OPENING Prince arena lures hockey and concerts... MULT X Cont/nued ~ p~ 15 *All ameniti~ a~ I~ted on the lng the arena surprisingly clear, the coi~eum, which is still in use. outside of the seating howl, al- echo-f~e acoustics even when the ~It was used that way, but it didn't lo~ng eye,one to concentrate on building is empty. have the ~pabilities of the Multi- what's going on ion the rink[,~ PIex., Madden said. Nt gives the maxi- ~TS & SEATS Madden ~id t~t in 1994, prior mum benefit to the paying cus- ~e Multipu~o~ Cent~ ~ 12 to the sm~ ofco~tmction, the ciW tomer." private suites, all sold out, that knew it needed to land an anchor Madden ~id even concert pro- each hold between eight and 16 tenant for the Multiplex and it was mote~ like the layout for the lack people. clear that the community wanted of distractions from the perfor- Alvin Shandro, of building con- a ~L tenant, mance, c~io~i~ W~tem Foo~, ~id the The building ~ situated adjacent "We felt if we could have 1 O0 ~So the city took pmpo~ f~m Another benefit is the draping Multiplex h~ five pe~anent con- to three existing indoor hockey special event days [including 36 three interested groups, one of system from Quality Stage and ce~ionstands-- fouron themain ~nksin the city's Exhibition Park. home hockey gamesl in our first which was the Victoria Cougars," Drape of Alberta, which can make level and one on the concourse Madden said future plans are to year of operations that would be a he ~id. "The Couga~ we~ offend any size concert, trade show or level-- se~ing the usual gamut convert the three rin~, known as ~al good objective and we're fight a contract to move in." family show seem like it~in an in- of arena fare: hot dogs, burgers, the Kin Centres, to exhibition on target," Madden said. ~When Madden~id the team played i~ timate setting, fresh sandwiches and Dominos space, which would result in we're not housing a special event, 36 home gam~ in the col~eum for "The way I look at it is that it p~a, which S~ndm ~id ~ been 110,000 squa~ feet of show space community use fills in the rest of the 1994-95 season, with the plan takes a larger facility like this one a success beyond his wildest ex- under one roof. the available dates. It's ve~ much being that they would move into and allows medium-s~ed shows to pectations. Four portable carts Madden said the building has a people's facility." the Multiplex when it was corn- come into the building and have a se~e popcom,~presso, hot dogs three major meeting rooms that Madden said he and Marketing pleted midway through the 1995- good show,~ Madden said of the and soft drinks, can handle a combined 1,200 peG- Director Debbie Mclnt~ strive to 96 season, movable d~p~. "The~ a~ shows The building does not have a ple seated. The Multiplex also has offer a mix of events that range But PCL, the company that built that we know a~ only going to sell liquor license, several smaller breakout rooms, from hockey to family shows to the facility, fast-tracked the con- 2,000 s~ and we ~n ~ the cur- Debbie Mclnt~, ~rketing su- Most trade shows and conventio~ concer~ to special promotions and struction and the building was tain in just about every seating pewisor for the ciW and the arena, are housed in the city~ Civic Cen- in the fi~t year the venue h~ host- ready in September of 1995, in configuration." ~ys that while the Multiplex isin- tre, but the Multiplex could take ed a wide mix of concerts, ice time for the s~rt of the hockey s~- Madden ~id the dmp~ on a~ terested in selling alcohol, the de- on more of these as the city con- even~ and d~ floor shows such as son. enhance acoustics, whichw~one cision ultimately rests with the tinues to grow. the circus, monster truck and "They were the opening show of the most important priorities community and a process of de- ~We've had a fe~ such ~ the an- rodeo events. for the new Multiplex," Madden when the building was being de- termining if and how alcoholic nual Home Show, the annual fair "The only event we could host recalled. "They won their home signed. The building's main elec- beverages will be se~ed is under [the Prince George Exhibition, that we haven't is curling," he ~id. opener before 5,800 people." trical contractor was Vancouver, way. which draws 40,000 in the course "And we're bidding to host the B.C.-based Martech Electrical, "It~a ~t phce to do b~in~," of a weekend[ and a semiannual World Junior Ice Hockey Chain- MULTIPURPOSE, which contracted the sound sys- Shandm said, adding that per ~ps forest~ exhibition, and we hope pionships and the World Curling ESPECIALLY HOCKEY tern installation to West Coast have averaged around $3.25 to get more," he said. Championships.~ Lower-level seating in the Mul- Sound, the Burnaby, B.C.-based ($2.37). "It's fair to ~y Prince Geo~e w~ Madden said he hopes to in- tiplex can be removed and stowed company that installed a sound He said the Multiplex compass looking for a building that would crease the number of event days to enlarge the floor for fiat shows, system for the wedding of Mi- with la~e arenas the way Buffalo~ satisfy the ice ~quiremen~ for the year 2, Concerts can be staged in either crosoft chief Bill Gates. Rich Stadium compares with big facilit~ but they a~o wanted a mul- Income-wise, the building has end-stage or in-the-round config- "Bad acoustics is one of the stadiums, tipurpose building that would exceeded expectations, Madden urations. But the Multiplex was major drawbacks of older build- ~l like to classify it as a Triple allow them to house conventions, said. built with hockey ~ and the tree ings," Madden said. A building,~ he said. truck pulls, horse shows and any- "Our operating subsidy was hockey fan-- in mind. The build- Madden explained t~t the Mul- The regular stadium seating is thing else as well as hockey," said $180,000 [$131,4001 for our first ing hosted last season's Western tipu~ose Centre has a pedorated by H~e~ l~n supplied the sea~ John Akerley, senior ~ce president year," he explained. "We are now Hockey League All-Star Game and' ceiling ~th a layer of mu~ing in- in the luxu~ boxes, with PBK. on budget to use only $50,000- won rave reviews from players, sulation between it and the ~of for The sightlin~ a~ id~l and the~ "They a~o wanted to have an ice $60,000 [$36,500-$43,8001 of coaches and fans. maximum sound abso~tion, giv- truly ~ not a bad seat in the house, surface that could be converted that." into Olympic s~e, so we designed Madden said the first year in a a building that giv~ them the con- new building pu~ him and h~ ~K ~g~l~O~t$ Ltd. sul~ ~ ~ Bma~ venible floor requiremen~ by hay- on a steep learning curve. ~ ~.~. ~na~ VOK 4~ lng ret~ctable sea~. It has a floor "We've learned how to put dirt PBK Engineering Ltd. Tel: ~ · ~.~21 F~: ~ · ~'1519 slab that can be National Hockey on top of our ice and then get out League or Olympic size and we in 24 hou~ so we could do hock- . ~ ~ - . . . .... have designed elements in the . ey," he said. "We're learning, and ' ' '~ ....... ~ : ' :, · . ' building which allows it to be con- quickly." ' ' : vexed from an ice venue to a mul- Madden said the building em- tipu~ose venue ~thin 24 hours." ploys eight full-time maintenance employees and three full-time ad- ~' . ~ ..,. ~ .', .EVENTS. ministrative smffe~. .. The building has been busy in A team of 10-12 part-timers is Con~a~lafions to the' PraNCE GEORGE MULTIPLEX. "Western Canada's Newest Electric Avenue" "'::./ SYSTEMS L I G H T I N G · Prince George Multipl~ G~era[ Manager Tom Madden, right, with Marhefing 5upemisor Debbie Mclntym and Prince George Region From: YOUR SOlD A~ LIGH~G SUPPLIERS Developm~t Co~. CEO Dale McMann. L $ P o T L I G H T ] PRINCE GEORGE MULTIPLEX OPENING City Already Reaping /., Workers prepare the Prince George Multiplex for performances of Rewards From New Building PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. ~ Local officials here say the year-old drawn fans from as far away as would call rubber tire travelers Prince George Multiplex will bring M~~~~~x Seattle. (those in motor homes a~d recre- a host of benefits to the cityand re- The Multiplex draws more ational vehicles) and the group- gion, from increased tourism to tourists to its events than mosi travel, motor coach sector. venues in major population cen- "With the Multiplex, the uni- sustaining economic development and population growth, lets, where tourists tend to find versity and the civic center, we ~it does a number of thingsf other things to do while on vaca- now have three major new infra- said Dale McMann. chief execmive lion. structure auractions; and when officer of the Prince George Region ~ The building, combined with you tie them together, it makes us other amenities such as shopping more of a tourist and meeting CCh- Development Corp. ~First of all, it and fine restaurants and hotels, ter. In the past we couldn't draw puts us on the map. It also broad- also makes Prince George more at- visitors and convention business ens our experience from an event tractive to people living in more in a big way.~ standpoint. It brings people to our city." remote, rural parts of Northern Petryk said the length of stay of McMann said that since the British Columbia. the average visitor has increased 7,000-seat arena opened in Sep- "In the past, Prince George has from one night to an average of been a city that has promoted it- more than two, and average daily tember 1995, surveys have shown importantly, disposable income McMann said population growth self as a stopover for people head- expenditures have it{creased 30% that visitors have driven as many than the Northern B.C. or Cana- here has been growing at a rate of lng to Alaska. The regional market to 50%. as five hours to take in events at dian average." 1.5% to 2.5% per year. was insignificant," Petryk said. "A good half of that increase can the Multiplex. McMann said the population is "That's not a boom, but it is "Now the regional market is the be directly attributed to the Mul- "There are people in Smithers, also shifting from timber industry solid, steady growth,~ he said. No. 3 priority behind what we tiplex,' Petryk said. {~ four hours away, with season tick- blue-collar workers to more set- ~And that will be the range within ets to the Cougars (the Western vice-oriented, white-collar posi- which the growth continues, h's Hockey League team that is the lions in the areas of academics, not likely that will be interrupted building's anchor tenant)," he said. science and technology, for any period of,ime." PRINCE GEORGE FACTS "When they come, they ar~ not just Two years ago, the University of McMann said that, given the de- here for an event. They are shop- Northern British Columbia, with mographic changes and population YEAR OPENED: ping. They are stayingin hotels. 2,500 full-time students, was growth in the Prince George re- 1005 They are eating at restaurants, founded here, adding fuel to the gion, the Multiplex fills a big doing business, purchasing equip- trend McMann described, chunk of the demand for more TOTAL COST:. ment. It all adds up to economic "The reality is, from an enter- quality entertainment options. $21.7 MILLION ($15.1 MILLION U.S.). benefit to the city" tainmem perspective, that people "The building opens up hun- OWNER: McMann said a study of the eco- have families and they want more dreds of doors for us from a nomic impact of the Multiplex has entertainment options," he said. tourism standpointf said David CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. not been commissioned, but he's "And they have the money to Petryk, general manager of CAPACI'I'~. certain that once a study is done, spend." Tourism Prince George. 'Our re- 7,500 FOR IN-THE-ROUND CONCERTS; · the numbers will prove that the McMann said that while there is gional market is within a 300-kilo- Multiplex is generating additional mom for entertainment that caters meter radius and the Multiplex 6,000 FOR HOCKEY. spending in and around Prince to older generations, the Multiplex gives us the ability to attract peo- CONCESSIONAIRE: George. has wisely been concentrating on ple to special events and concerts, WESTERN FOOD SERVICES. McMann said the city of Prince drawing what he calls the ~under- allowing us to tap into that market CONCESSION STANDS: George has a population of about 40 crowd.~ even more. We've already seen 75,000, with another 15,000 living "If you're trying to identify the good numbers of people coming in FIVE PERMANENT, FOUR PORTABLE. in the immediate area. dominant base population, that~ for concerts." ClT~ POPULATION: 'The total drawing population it," he said. ~They're even a little Petryk said he w~ thhlled at get- 75,000. is more like 250,000,~ he said. younger than most baby boomers, ting to see B.B. King when he ap- "And they tend to be young, with but moving toward a more typical peared at the venue in April. I~IMARy SPORTS TENANT:. a higher level income and, most North American city.~ He said the WIlL Cougara have WESTERN HOCKEW LEAGUE'S PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS. GENEI~AL ]~[ANAGER: TOM MADDENS' DESIGNERS: PBK ARCHITECTS, VANCOUVER. BUILDERS: PCL CONSTRUCTION. PRIVATE SUITES: 12. COST OF SUITES: $11,500 ($8,395) TO $21,000 ($15,330). EVENT DAYS IN FIRST YEAR: 100. The roof goes up during STAFF: construction. EIGHT FULL-TIME; 12 PART-TIME. I SPOTLIGHT J ; '~ ~ P R I N C E G E O R G E M U L T I P L E X O P E N I N G Hockey Coug rs Beat X · Building Into Prince George PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. ~ ~Build opened," MacKinnon said. 'Now He said the team markets the it and they will come" is the oft-m- there are more women, more kids, Muhiplex's luxury boxes, which pealed adage from the movie ~Field more families and more nonhard- sell for belween $11,500 ($8,395) of Dreams," but in the case of this core hockey fans. That's the best and $21,000 ($15,330), splitting small but growing city 500 miles thing about a new facility You have the revenue with the cily. All in- north of Vancouver, the adage took the opportunity to go for a new au- come from arena signage, which on a new twist, dience, even in a small communi- the team also helps to market, is Even before construction was ty like ours." shared on a 10/30 basis in favor of complete on the city's $21.7 mil- The Cougars will continue to do the team. board, rink boards, ice Iogos, aisle- anymore. We offer a four-hour eh- lion ($15.1 million, U.S.), 7,500- community outreach and already ~We do all the work," MacKtn- way signs and turnst]le bats is hard ter~ainment package. seat arena known as the Prince have initiated programs in which non said, noting that luxury box work, 'but at the end of the day it~ 'We've got a mascot, fireworks, George Multiplex, thc Western kids drop pucks, locals sing the na- leases are all three-year deals with worth it." laser shows, a bazooka that shoots Hockey keague's Victoria Cougars tional anthem, fans lake dressing the price determined by size and All of the rink boards are sold T-shirts and foosballs into the decided to leave their home in the room tours, and schoolchildren get location, out, he said, adding that the Mul- crowd (they borrowed that idea provincial capital and move to to have lunch with players. MacKinnon said last winter's tiplex will make the rink board's from the NBA's Vancouver Griz- what they figured would be green- The team also dropped its sea- WIlL All-Star Game, preceded by larger next year. zlies) and chances for kids lo play er, il'snowier, pastures in "B.C.'s son ticket price a couple of dollars a banquet a~ the Muhiplex, was MacKinnon said the Multiplex on the ice for five minutes. It's al- Northern Capital." a head. completely sold out. seats about 5,725 for hockey and ways fun and always good for a few "We moved [in 19941 knowing "We knew by offering a better "The players and league officials this year the building added stand- laughs. there would be new building com- value many businesses with four invited 50 paying guests lo the ~ng room, which increased capac- He said contests offering trucks lng on liner Cougars Business tickets would buy six, families with banquet and it sold out,' he said. ity to right around 6,000. and cash as prizes will also be held, Manager Dane MacKinnon told two would buy four. *And the Ali-Star game worked The best thing about being in a but he explained that the team is AB. ~We played one year in the old Single-game tickets range from out very well, especially when you new facility, MacKinnon said, is the ever-mindful of not overpromot- , (2,000-seat Prince George) colise- $7.50 ($5.50, U.S.) for adults to $9 consider there had not been hock- ability to concentrate on making lng the games, lest they disenchant um while this building was being ($6.57) for students and seniors to ey of this caliber in this area before, the attending of games an overall their core of fans who come to the c°nstructed.' $13 ($9.49) for adults, while sea- It was good for the city and the entertainment package, games for the pure love of hockey. MacKinnon said the original son passes cost $396 ($289) for Multiplex to put it on and every The comfortable seats, bright "We try to keep up to date, but plan was for the Cougars to move adults, $270 ($197) for students one came out and saw a good lights, sound, good food, wide con- you have to be careful not to into the Multiplex during the and seniors and $216 ($158) for show. It drew a lot of non-hockey courses and clean restrooms all overgimmick the game," he said. 1995-96 season, but the facility kids. regulars-~ make the Multiplex a fun place to 'In Canada they are here to watch was built in time for the team,s sea- MacKinnon said the lease the MacKinnon said arena signage be, he said. the hockey game.~ son opener, team negotiated with the city is fair is a major soun:e of income for the *The facility gives you a chance And at the Prince George Multi- "It would have been difficult for and makes it possible for the team team and the Multiplex. to put on a better showf he said. plex, they have the perfect place in us had that not been the case," to pass on added value to the fans. He said selling space on score- "It's not just the hockey game which MacKinnon said. "It all worked out really well." h continues to work out well. The Prince George hockey faith- THE PRIlq'CE GEORGE MuL'r~LEX IS AN EXCITIIq'G NEW ful are anything but fair weather FACHATY WHOSE TOURISM POTENTIAL BENEFITS US ALL. fans. An average of 4,618 fans (third among the league's Cana- WE CONGRATULATE THE STAFF AND MANAGEMENT FOR DOING dian learns after Kamloops and Red A GREAT JOB. Deer) paid to see each Cougars home game, despite thc Cougars' last-place finish in the league standings and punishing outdoor ~~ ~OURISM PRINCE GEORGE temperatures during much of the team's ~ca$on. MacKinnon said the lure of a ~ For more information on Prince George new arena, ticket prices that were call 1-800-668.7646 lowered an average of $2 ($1.46 U.S.), and the fact that 2~ of the team,s home games were phyed on ;' ':"' ': 'i:~".' '~'? premium weekends led to the strong showing. "That has an effect," he said. "If a blizzard hits during the week, the fans won't come out. If it hits on Friday or Saturday, they'll fight the snow." The Cougars have a season tick- et base of around 3,000, a number that has pretty much held its own -. since the team moved to the Mul- tiplex. MacKinnon said the Cougars have initiatedagroupsaJespro, t° be the gram, which had been lacking. "ProUd. "It was a bad surprise to find there was none, but it~ a good op- portunit)' to tap into something soft drink supplier of the that is fairly untapped." he said. · Prince .... Multiplex" George "The Multiplex changed the de- mographics (of the team's ticket buyers) the minute the doors