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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/05/93 BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM November 5, 1993 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCI FROM' ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER SUBJECT: GENERAL INFORMATION 1. I am pleased to confirm that Gene Bogart is our newest permanent Department Head. 2. I will be processing, through the Council, a very slight change to the Public Works Director job description. It has been required that it be a P.E. Because of the potential difficulties we will have in replacing the quality we currently have in that position, I would like to open it up so it is not restricted to P.E.'s. It will be made a desirable characteristic, rather than a required one. The required P.E. functions, of course, should we hire somebody without that credential, would be assigned to someone else in the department. 3. Enclosed you will find copies of the Grand Jury's endorsement of us regarding the Hotel project, and endorsements from the DBPOA, the City of Shafter, and the Chamber of Commerce. We are doing extremely well, now, on the public relations front in regard to the Hotel. I need to continue to caution you, however, that the rating is a "wild card." We are working on it, but this is not a "cut and dried" deal. 4. We have been guilty of giving out some inconsistent information on the value of the half-cent sales tax to the City of Bakersfield. Part of that is over the unusual fiscal period for which the money is collected. On a fiscal year basis, we are now estimating $590,000 per year. In this one instance, we did not assume passage of the legislation for the fiscal year we are currently in. Therefore, we would be in a position, entering the 1994-95 fiscal year, to appropriate for two years. After that, of course, we would have the annual amount of $590,000 as an ongoing revenue source. 5. We have a really tough agenda next time. It will be a challenge to you to get us out of there at any sort of reasonable houri 6. With respect to the DDA on the Convention Center Hotel, we are making it available to the public on Monday morning. Your copy will be delivered on Friday with the Agenda material. HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL November 5, 1993 Page -2- 7. A response to a Council Referral is enclosed regarding a communication on a graffiti product. 8. A progress and status report on activities in the Planning and Building Divisions is enclosed for your information. You may find some useful information in it. 9. The County staff advises us that they will probably be going to Service Level D relative to transportation planning efforts. Currently, transportation impact fees and General Plan documents target Service Level C. The Transportation Foundation and/or the County may attempt to persuade you to also convert to Service Level D. On staff, we generally do not believe D is acceptable to the community. For example, during rush hour, the intersection of Stockdale Highway and Gosford Road is between C and D. 10. Again, with respect to the Hotel, we are in the process of trying to schedule a meeting with the hotelier, or their building contractor, and the protestors from the labor group. 11. A status report is enclosed on the Greenwaste Pilot Program. This is the one where we did not properly clarify for Council what was taking place in advance of the implementation of the program. We will also be making information available to you as you pass between the downstairs Council Session and the Executive Session next Wednesday night. This is, potentially, a very economical way of achieving a fairly high level of our waste diversion goals. Unfortunately, by not properly doing the public relations in advance of implementation, we have started it with some "rough edges." We are working on that. 12. On yet another Hotel topic, we need to do some soil boring on site to clear some loose endsleft by the "Clarion" soil work. That will take place next week. 13. There is a memo enclosed from the Planning Department regarding school fees. AT.alb Attachments cc: Department Heads City Clerk 1993-1994 GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL TRUXTUN AVENUE MARGUERITE R. LEWIS, FOREPERSON MIKE G. McGAUHEY, CHAI~/~AN SPECIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE October 28, 1993 CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL TRUXTUN AVENUE The Special~ Services Committee of the 1993-1994 Kern County Grand Jury received complaints involving the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency and the John Q. Hammons Company agreement to finish the cOnvention Center Hotel on Truxtun Avenue. The committee studied complaints that the agreement was utilizing federal funds (HUD) illegally, that tax concessions were being given to developer Hammons that were not offered to other developers, and that the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency did not properly advise other potential developers or investors the agency's desire to find a developer to complete the hotel project. After careful study, interviews of' public and private citizens, and the examinations of many public documents, the committee concludes that preliminary negotiations wi~h at least three other developers and current negotiations with selected developer Hammons are proper and in the best interest of taxpayers and citizens of Kern CountY. The Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency must continue, progress must not be delayed or impeded for reasons attributed to complaints received by the Kern County Grand Jury. BAKERSFIELD' BUSINESS ASSOCIATION October ;~9~ 1993 B~b Price, Mayor- City of Bakersfield 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mr. Mayor: I ~m please~ to inform you that the Down~own Business Association voted to support the City's effort to complete the.Convention Center Ho'~el P~-oject. We feel 'bha~ the subsidy of .this projec~ will ui'bi~,a~ely have a very high ~-etu~'n on inves~ent. We liked the fact that the developer instead o'~ the city was gu'aranteeing the ~-epayment of bonds ~snd that total subsidies ended after five years. We believe that ~he project will benefit no~ only the down~own ~srea but Kern County in'general. Please le'b us know how we can be helpful in this effort. Sincerely, ls~ Vice President 1521 19th Street · Bakersfield, CA 93301 'o (805).325-5892 338 Pacific Avenue, Shafter, CA 93263, (805) 746-6361 FAX (805) 746-0607 November 2, 1993 Mr. Herb Roberts Director of Community Planning and Development Division U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 1615 West Olympia Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 Regarding: City of Bakersfield Community Development Block Grant Section 108 Loan Application Dear Mr. Roberts: The' City of Shafter is pleased to endorse and support the City of Bakersfield's CDBG loan application. ' The completion of the. downtown Bakersfield Hotel will be a boost to the local and regional economy, including: · the creation of 200+ permanent jobs, many of which will benefit Iow and moderate income families, · the influx of $5~5 million annually into the local economy, with a multiplier effect of $27 to $38 million per year, · new revenues into the City of Bakersfield to increase and improve community services and programs. The entire region will benefit from tourism generated by an increase in conventions and other activities the completed Hotel will attract. We applaud the efforts of the City of Bakersfield in creating an innovative program to complete this project and strongly encourage your office to support the efforts of the City in creating jobs and new investment for their citizenry. VerY truly yours, LJnda Gragg Mayor GREATER BAKERSFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE November 1, 1993 Bob Price, Mayor City of Bakersfield 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mayor Price: After careful review, I am pleased to repOrt the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce supports the City of Bakersfield's proposal to work with Mr. John Q. Hammonds to complete the Convention Center Hotel. As an organization that represents 1350 businesses and 35,000 members, we have followed this project closely.. We commend the efforts of the Bakersfield City Council, Mr. Alan Tandy, 'and the City Manager's staff for negotiating a creative project that will stimulate our economy as well as create jobs in the City's redevelopment area. Additionally, the project represents what can be done when public and private enterprise join forces for the good of the entire community. I would be remiss, however, if I did not express the Chamber's sensitivity regarding the immediate economic impact this will have for existing Bakersfield businesses. As Mr. Tandy stated, it is anticipated that some hotels and food service companies could experience negative short term impacts, however, we feel that the long term benefits coupled with the creation of new jobs and increased convention business created by Mr. Hammond's established network of convention business will result in an economic upswing beneficial for businesses throughout the community. In reviewing the components of this proposal the Chamber would like to ask that the Mark Roes bonding process be continually reviewed with the utmost care. In conclusion the GBCC applauds the City's commitment to compliment the Convention Center redevelopment project with the addition of increased facilities that will enhance Bakersfield's ability to attract convention business to bolster our city's economy. If the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce can assist in this process, simply ask. Very truly y~ President, Greater Bakersfield chamber of Commerce b.c.c. ,-Mr. Alan Tandy Mr. Jal<e Wager, Jr. "California's Heartland" 1033 TRUXTUN AVENUE ° P.O. BOX 1947 BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA 93303 · 805/327-4421 GREATER BAKERSFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE November 3, 1993 Herb Roberts, Director of Community Planning and Development U.S. 'DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 1615 West Olympia Boulevard 'Los Allgeles, CA 90015 Dear Mr. Roberts: I am writing in regards to the City of Bakersfield Section 108 Loan Application. As an organization that represents 1350 businesses and 35,000 members, we have followed this project closely. The primary mission of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce is to enhance the socio-economic and cultural well-being of the Greater Bakersfield Metropolitan area. We believe that the Convention Center Hotel project will have a positive long term impact in our community. With this project creating 150 to 200 'jobs during the construction and 180 to 210 permanent jobs when the hotel opens, we feel that this is an effective use of Federal Block Grant funds. This project could also place $5.5 million in the local economy annually. With a multiplier effect of $27 to $38 million per year, this can only be positive for our community by stimulating the economy and providing low income families with permanent job .oppOrtunities and upward mobility. As an organization which prides itself in its commitment to the community, we would like to applaud the City of Bakersfield in their creative efforts to create jobs while stimulating our local economy. We believe that this project should be viewed as a shining example of what can occur when government and private enterprise join forces for the good of the community. The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce would like to thank you for your interest in our community. Your support of the project will have a dramatic impact on Bakersfield's economy. Very truly yours. 4 '~3V 93 5; ~erry Stanners, President, Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce b.c.c.~Mr. Alan Tandy Mr. dake Wager, Jr. "~l~rnm'sHeartland" 1033 TRUXTUN AVENUE ° P.O. BOX 1947 BAKER$~ELD, CALIFORNIA 93303 ° 805/327-~21 ' BAKERSFIELD 1990 November 4, 1993 Richard Jennings Chemex PO Box 70130 Bakersfield, CA 93387 Dear Mr. Jennings: My apologies for the delay in responding to your correspondence dated September 27, 1993. I have made some inquires regarding your product. As you letter indicates, the City of Bakersfield's Public Works Department has had the opportunity to enjoy a demonstration of your product. Perhaps you are not aware that the Public Works Department is responsible for the removal of graffiti on behalf of the City of Bakersfield. In discussing the use of your product on more than a spot basis, the Public Works Department has stated to me that since the majority of the graffiti they remove covers vast expanses of walls spraying these walls with matching paint is the most cost effective method. As it was explained to me, your product must first be applied to the graffiti which is in turn either scrubbed or wiped off. The method we currently employ merely requires the use of an airless sprayer and matching paint. Based on the graffiti crew supervisor's review of both methods, the City will continue with its current eradication methods. This is not to say, Mr. Jennings, that your product is not useful. Quite the contrary, I am told that your product is effective when used on a spot basis or on a special'surface (i.e., enamel paint) where particular care must be.taken not to mar the surface. I am.told the City of Bakersfield has in fact purchased four cases of graffiti for this very purpose. In closing I wish you well with your product.~ I welcome your firm's interest in alleviating the misery that graffiti causes all of us. Im:ED2/JENNINGS.LTR City of Bakersfield · City Manager's Office · 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield · California · 93301 (805) 326-3751 · Fax (805) 325-9162 Notes for Alan from Jack November 3, 1993 1. New Building: a. Handicap and Fire Code work needs to be completed. The most serious are the installation of panic hardware on exits, hand rails and fire extinguishers. b. We were surprised to find that the work units did not include desk drawers and we came up short on shelves. Darlene tells me we have no more money to finish the work units so I am asking for your approval to request additional funds for that purpose. The cost would be approximately $15,000. c. The DBPOA is scheduled to hold a mixer in the new building on November 16, 1993, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. You may want to invite the City Council. The Mayor will be there to accept a check for Christmas tree lights. You might also let the Council know that it is being sponsored (paid for) by members of the DBPOA. d. Staff members from each of the divisions in the building would like to have a Christmas party here for all of us. They understand that it would have to be a holiday party without alcohol. I support the idea and told them I would clear it with you. I request your approval. e. The transition to our new location has gone better than expected. Even the engineers who were initially concerned about their separation from records have expressed the same opinion. 2. Building Inspection: a. Our collection of school fees has been adjusted to reflect the election results. Pending official certification of the vote we are having applicant's sign a promise to pay the difference just in case the projected outcome does not come true. A copy is attached. b. This throws us back into the problem of how to mitigate school impacts. Perhaps the school task force could be reactivated by the City Council. c. Building officials will be meeting with State mobilehome park inspectors on November 18, 1993, to transition responsibility for mobilehome park inspections back to the State. d. We have received calls about our URM Ordinance from L.A. engineering firms so it is apparent some of our URM building owners are beginning to work on their property. e. About a week and a half ago we ordered the removal of an illegal "A Frame" sign along "H" Street. As it turns out the lady who owns the sign is the mother of the Stockdale High School student who was beaten up. She is complaining that we are harassing her because one of the attackers parents work for the City. This is not true. f. Illegal signs for special events are proliferating and we are going to have to do something that either allows them to some extent or start a more aggressive enforcement effort against them. g. Last week was a good week for permits with 22 being issued for new homes. h. State Farm project is moving along very smoothly. They have a real professional team onboard. They continue to be a bit behind schedule. We suspect the problem lies in their electrical engineering. 3. Special Projects: a. The 150% replacement of URM buildings ordinance will be heard by the Planning Commission Thursday night. DBPOA has sent a letter of support. b. The downtown zoning ordinance is progressing. The next meeting on November 16, 1993, will feature discussion of the permit review process. In December a report to the City Council should be drafted for presentation after the holidays. c. A revision of the sign ordinance is scheduled for hearing before the Planning Commission on December 2, 1993. It reduces signage permitted in industrial zones, makes it easier to read and makes it internally consistent. d. An ordinance making P.C.D. and P.U.D. approvals and defaults consistent has been drafted and should be to the Planning Commission early next year. 4. Permits: a. The status report on Mesa Marin CUP compliance requested by Councilwoman Pat Smith is being put together. It should be ready in the next couple of weeks. b. Destec has initiated meetings to discuss renewed efforts to establish a cogeneration plant in the Northeast. Councilwoman Pat Smith has coordinated a meeting for November 4, 1993, at 1 p.m. in the Mayor's conference room. c. Public Works is coordinating a meeting with the Camelot group (California and Oak) on November 4, 1993 at 2:15 p.m. in the 2nd floor meeting room of Development Services. 2 5. Advanced Planning: a. General plan amendment hearing by the Planning Commission on December 16, 1993, will be reconsideration of the Northeast Corner of Stockdale Highway and California Avenue for a new Smith's Market (a neighborhood war erupted last time) and a proposal to approve 25 acres of commercial at the northeast corner of Ashe and Panama Lane for Castle and Cooke. This could become contentious because it would preclude approval of one for a neighboring property owner to the south. b. The annual report on the general plan is going to the Planning Commission for approval Thursday night. 6. Current Planning: a. The Habitat Conservation Plan is now under active review by the Fish and Wildlife Service according to Vicki Finn. She is supposed to call back within a week to give us an estimated time of completion. If the schedule is unreasonable, Ted James and ! will be complaining to the Regional Director and there maybe a need to call in some political reinforcements. b. River access in the northeast may become an issue again soon. We are processing maps along the river and the Planning Commission would like to begin hearings on an ordinance that would spell out standards for river access. Councilman Salvaggio will be interested in this. c. An ordinance clarifying the intent of the existing ordinance with respect to mineral rights owners and subdivisions is going through the review process with support from both sides. 7. Miscellaneous: a. The Air Pollution Control rules on trip reduction, transportation control measures and indirect source rules are going down the path of greater demands on the city as an employer and regulator. b. We will be receiving two awards from Kern COG for the Habitat Conservation Plan and Bike Path development Thursday night, c. Calloway #5 Annexation failed for lack of a tax agreement with the County. p:notes MEMORANDUM October 29, 1993 TO: ALAN TANDY, City Manager .,/'"'~/ FROM: JACK HARDISTY, Planning D~ ,.._...~/ ~ SUBJECT: Move to new building We are concluding the second week in our new offices. The move seems to have been accomplished with a minimum of disruption and confusion. Attached are a couple of notes from satisfied customers. The only complaints I have heard were that one of our phones didn't work right (constant busy signal), lack of directory sign and a parking ticket. The phone is fixed, we are testing signage with temporary signs and Chief Brummer has referred the ticketed person to Lieutenant Zachary for the ticket that was issued in error. By' the beginning of November we should be substantially out of the moving boxes and welcome visitors to tour our new quarters. I will extend personal invitations to client groups to tour the new facility so they better understand our reorganization and location. I have agreed to host a DBPOA mixer on November 16, 1993. It will be sponsored (i.e., expenses paid) by two other businesses and food will be donated by local restaurants. There are, of course, hundreds of little final details to complete in our move but everyone is dealing well with them. We are very pleased with our new offices and we take a lot of pride in how well we have used our old furniture and the second-hand furnishings we purchased and how well everyone pulled together to make this a successful move. Thank you for your support. JH/Id MMNB ..... Bakersfield Fresno  4700 Stockdale Highway, Suite 120 470 East Herndon Avenue, Suite 203 Post Office Box 9217 . Fresno, California 93720 Bakersfield, California 93389 209/261-9160 805/326-1112 805/326-0191 FAX 209/261-9171 FAX wz,, c. 'OCT CITY OF mAKEPtSFIELD I~LANNING DEI~AI~ITMENT October 19, 1993 Mr. Mark Goodia City of Bakersfield Planning Department 1715 Chester Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mark: I wanted to.thank you for your efforts in locating the copy of the Tenneco West EIR for me yesterday. Having recently moved our offices I understand the confusion this can create. I think it is admirable for you and your staff, on such short notice, and during such adverse conditions to accomplish this task. I am truly impressed. Thank you again for your helP, if I can ever reciprocate please let me know. Sincerely, Carolyn Ronald Ginny Blair Managing Editor 805'834-9972 Fax: 805-834-0916 BAKERSFIELD,BUSINESS JOURNAL 3611 Stockdale Highway · Suite "I-I" Bakersfield, CA 93309 P.O. Box 9000, Bakersfield, CA 93389-9000 MEMORANDUM November 5, 1993 TO: /kLAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER SUBJECT: SCHOOL FEES The defeat of Proposition 170 has resulted in thc immediate drop in the school facility fees required on all residential construction, to $1.65 a square foot. All property with residential zoning prior to January 1, 1993 will pay this amount at the time of building permit issuance. All zone changes and general plan amendments approved between January 1, 1993 and November 2, 1993 were required by condition of approval to pay between $2.65 and $3.65 a square foot (amount varies with school district). IMPLICATIONS: The reduction of school funding will probably necessitate the need for environmental impact reports for all projects involving any residential development. Schools will easily be able to demonstrate that at $1.65 sq.ft, the residential projects cannot possibly provide needed facilities, and therefore, the impact must be "significant" per CEQA necessitating an EIR. Currently, the typical project processing time for the vast majority of residential proposals is only 81 days, processing time for EIR's is in excess of one year. Previous school impact studies indicate full mitigation will mostly be in the range of $4 to $6.50 a square foot. This will lead to a situation of similar 2,000 sq.ft, homes without current entitlements and located in the same area paying a fee of between $8,700 and $13,000 compared to $3,300 for the same home built on land with existing entitlements. MG:pjt l\matll.5 C~TY ~ANAGER~ 5 ~OV 93 12~. 09 November 1, 1993 MEMO TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER ~ . MEMO FROM: JAKE WAGER, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECT SUBJECT: URM MAILING On Friday, October 29 this office mailed 165 letters to owners of unreinforced masonry properties. An application, a program brochure, and flow chart of the program timelines were included. The letters were sent certified mail with a return postcard to this office to confirm receipt of the materials. To add an extra level of assurance, the mailing requested delivery addresses to be verified which will provide us with the latest forwarding address on the return postcard. In addition, Cathy Palla reviewed our list and plans to make a small mailing to inform members of her URM fund. AD~ndy~aem 2 ~OV 93 .5: I J October 28, 1993 Angelo Pierucci 6728 Lucille Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93308 Re: Property at 1428 East Truxtun Avenue Parcel #'017071 Dear Angelo Pierucci, The City'of .Bakersfield is offering an incentive program designed to assist owners of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. We feel that this information is so important to you that we wanted to insure that you received it by certified mail. Please take a moment to read the enclosed brochure carefully, and complete the postcard response application (applying 29¢ postage). Beginning November 8, 1993, the city will be accepting applications. Funds' are limited; therefore, you are encouraged t°apply promptly following the commencement date of the program on November 8. As a property owner 'of a URM building, you will be eligible for reimbursement up to a maximum of $5,000 per parcel containing a single Unreinforced masonry building. Owners of more than one URM building can qualify for the maximum reimbursement for each distinct building and will be required to submit a separate application for each eligible building. Your requirements to participate in this program include: [] Completing an application and forWarding to the city. Applications will not be accepted prior to November 8, 1993. Attending a workshop. Attendance to the workshop is a mandatory requirement of the program by either the property owner of record or his/her assigned representative. [] Submitting a workplan and time schedule of your lproject. Higher priority will be granted to those owners with the most aggressive time schedule and workplan. Once the city has received your application, you will receive a confirmation within two weeks. If you have any questions regarding this program, Please call the Economic and Community Development Department at (805) 326-3765. ¢©.¢¥ City of Bakersfield · Economic and Community Development Department 515 Truxtun Avenue · Ba~<ersfield · California 93301 (805) 326-3765 · Fax (805) 328-1548 · TDD (805) 324-3631 [, 14 ~ 14-21 30 Submission Days Days of Application (November 8, 1993) Dependent on Owner ] Dependent ~ Determination Completion of on ' 45 by 14-21Days Specified W°rk / Owner / ~t~'~.ab~X~ Days Owner of Costs Submittal of / ~'"~ oy~ty ) ~ Categories Documentation for for { ~ Notice to / Reimbursement Reimbursement I ~  Owner LOS ANGELES SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER NEWS OBSERVER NEWS OBSERVER Observer Group Newspapers of SoUthern California, Inc. 1219 20th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301 October 29, 1993 Alan Tandy City Manager 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California 93301 Dear Mr. Tandy: The Observer Group Newspapers would like to thank you for the information regarding the downtown Convention Center Hotel that was shared with us through the Community Development Department by it's director Mr. Jake Wager and by Mr. George Gonzalez. Our main goal is the dissemination of factural and accurate information and we believe, in this case, through your efforts we have achieved this goal.. Enclosed for your use are copies of the October 27th issue of the Bakersfield News Observer. If we of the Observer Group Newspapers can be of any service to you and the City of Bakersfield, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you. Sincerely, I ,~9¥ 93 6:34 TEL: (805) 324-9466 FAX: (805) 324-9472