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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/12/99 BAKERSFIELD CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM February 12, 1999 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER SUBJECT: GENERAL INFORMATION 1. I will be on vacation next week. Alan Christensen will be in charge, and the office will have the number where I can be reached in the event of an emergency. 2. There has been some confusion. The Recreation and Parks Department does the tree work and pick up from storm damage, etc. 3. As you may know from media coverage, the Palm-Olive suit settlement documents were not signed by the other side, as we had expected. It could still happen within the next two weeks however. 4. Per the attached memo from the Development Services Director, at the City Council's January 13th hearing of a proposed negative declaration for adding more farm land to Wastewater Treatment #2, concerns were expressed about how near we might be to some homes, irrigation facilities and a park. Since then, the Water Resources Manager has had follow up discussions with the concerned parties and thinks he can put together an acquisition program which would address their concerns. He will review it with the Water Board and then with the City Council for final approval of the negative declaration and acquisition program. 5. Also enclosed from Development Services is the latest activity report. Particular items of interest are: #1. City/County staffs are closer to an agreement on a new alignment of the southside freeway - south of Taft Highway and on the east end curve, more directly to Highway 58. This item will go back to hearing on March 18th. #7. Progress of the northeast water treatment plant - CalWater has budgeted $1- 1.5 million to put in the water line from the river to the plant site this year. CalTrans will require a NEPA review of the bike path before releasing funds for it; this should be done in April. Honorable Mayor and City Council February 11, 1999 Page 2 #9. A delegation from the Greek Orthodox Church may protest the new Amtrak station depot at the site hearing scheduled for February 16th. The plan review will be on compliance with codes and standards. Placement of the station has already been decided. #12. LAFCO has agreed that the annexation of the 4,700 acres west of 1-5 would be permitted under special provisions of the law relative to the area's use in conjunction with sewage treatment. 6. There is an update attached regarding ambulance service and emergency room delays. 7. A summary of the Southeast Bakersfield Project Area Committee's February 4th meeting is enclosed. 8. Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows: · Staff to investigate the possibility of assuming maintenance of the CHP Memorial on Buck Owens Boulevard. We will notify the non-profit currently maintaining the site that Recreation and Parks will assume that responsibility; · Provide date of pre-construction meeting for the Panama No. 12 annexation sewer improvements. AT: rs cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst O MEMORANDUM February 11, ~9'~9~/,,/~ FROM: JaCk HARDISTY, DEVELOPMENT ~RVICES DIR~~~. SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF ~ND ACQUISITION F~ P~NT ~2 FARMING OPE~TION / On January 13, 1999, the City Council opened its hearing on the Negative Declaration for acquisition and use of farmland related to the expansion of Wastewater Treatment Plant #2. Issues were raised in the hearing about proximity to irrigation canals and recharge areas, homes and a park. Since then, Gene Bogart has discussed those concerns with those who testified and is preparing a presentation to the Water Board with a recommendation to address each party's interests. It is believed that with some operational adjustments and the elimination of some of the area of potential purchases and adding another area, we will still have ample room to negotiate purchases in compliance with Regional Water Quality. Control requirements.. Staff is also firming up agreements with willing sellers so that the COuncil Can be assured of the satisfaction of the City's needs and those of the neighbors upon reconsideration of the Negative Declaration. JH:pjt m\mat2-11 Development Services Notes February 8, 1999 1. City and County staffs have agreed to a new alignment of the future south side freeway. It would be south of Taft Highway and on the east end curve more directly to Highway 58. This would avoid the more populated areas and oil facilities that result in problems with the first preferred alignment. This is scheduled to go back to hearing on March 18, 1998. 2. The Hillside Ordinance seems to be back on track. After last minute issues were raised at the City Council after two years of workshops and hearings at the Planning Commission, staff met with the concerned parties and agreed to further revisions. I expect we should be able to redraft the ordinance and maps for hearing by the City Council in March. 3. The Grand Canal received approval of a sign plan February 4, 1999. We have been contacted by financial institutions regarding the project's status. Zoning is O.K. but no construction plans have been submitted for review. 4. Valley Plaza should be encouraged by the Planning Commission's new openness for grandiose signage. Valley Plaza's new owners want to embark on a bolder signage program. 5. A draft ordinance to reduce the park requirements for multi-service care facilities has been prepared and circulated per direction of the Urban Development Committee. 6. I've heard of extensive interest in building senior care facilities throughout the city. All us boomers have a dramatic effect on the market. 7. The water treatment plant in the northeast is progressing. Cai Water has budgeted $1- 1/2 million to put in the water line from the river to the plant site this year. CalTrans is requiring a NEPA review of the bike path before releasing funds for it. The NEPA review should be done in April. 8. Site Plan Review hearings have reached a new high. On January 19, 1999, I approved an apartment complex at the southwest corner of Ming Avenue and Gosford Road. The approval came after the developer worked with the immediate neighbors to address their issues. Even so, an appeal was filed requesting an environmental impact study be done to restudy traffic impact issues. It will be heard by the Planning Commission on March 4, 1999. 9. I've been told to expect a delegation from the Greek Orthodox Church to protest the new train depot at my site plan hearing of it on February 16, 1999. Staff has tried to explain that my review of the plan will be on compliance with codes and standards. The placement of the station has already been decided. 10. Home Depot has filed an appeal to be heard by the City Council on March 17, 1999. The Planning Commission did not approve an entrance next to the railroad tracks where they cross Gosford because of concerns over safety, traffic flow, inability to me~-f c. ih~ --. standards and potential involvement of the city in eminent domain p~0CeedR~_~l~[) the railroad.~ ''--~-- .~ ~'Y ?, .,-;, ',~,,~-R S OFFICE Development Services Notes Page 2 11. The Code Enforcement staff has been having a frustrating time with the APCD. We pay around $1,400 for someone to do an asbestos survey of a proposed demolition which APCD reviews and approves. In two recent cases (806 & 812 Lakeview and Casa Royale), APCD staff has come on site after contracts have been approved, based on their survey approval, and required additional work to be done. Dennis is trying to convince them to check the survey and the site before approval of the scope of work and contracts to abate. 12. The Executive Officer of LAFCO has agreed that annexation of the 4,700 acres west of I-5 would be permitted under special provisions of the law relative to areas used in conjunction with sewage treatment. JH:pjt ~ s:dsn2-8 BAKERSFIELD CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM February 12, 1999 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: John W. Stinso~ssistant City Manager ~/~~ SUBJECT: Update on Ambulance Service and Emergency Room Delays On Thursday I attended the Emergency Medical' Care Advisory Board (EMCAB) Meeting. The issue of emergency room delays and changes made by EMS to the Emergency Department status procedure were discussed. I conveyed the concems expressed previously in writing by the Mayor to the Board and there was considerable discussion about the issue. Mr. Fred Drew, the EMS Director provided a hospital status report for the first week of February which still shows a significant level of Emergency Department saturation (84% of the time). He also indicated that the new more flexible plan, which gives field personnel more discretion for getting ambulances to the most appropriate Emergency Department appears to be more effective than the previous rotation system. He indicated that he will be meeting with the Hospital Administrators again on February 22nd to continue to work on this issue. The EMS Department is also looking at other resources such as urgent care centers to help reduce the patient load on emergency departments, however, there are liability and patient care issue associated with that option. I have attached an article which was distributed at the meeting regarding the nursing shortage which is a contributing factor to the saturation problem. Mr. Drew indicated that local hospitals are recruiting additional nurses and steps are being taken to make sure health care workers are available to the public, such as allowing them to defer jury duty. The County is offering bonuses to Registered Nurses employed at Kern Medical Center to improve additional staffing at that facility. He also indicated that the state Department of Health Services will be coming to Bakersfield to meet with EMS and local hospitals regarding the saturation issue sometime in March. Supervisor Parra indicated the County's concern about the issue and indicated the Board of Supervisors will continue to receive weekly updates from Mr. Drew on this issue. Mr. Drew indicated he will keep me informed of any new information. The next EMCAB meeting will be May 13, 1999. cc. Fred Drew, Kern County EMS Director ln0therView It's imperative to have-more' hospital nurses The Californian is to be cora- mended for helping ealight~ the eommtmity ia recent edito- rials about the challenges t~d- by.. local hospitals in meeting increased patient volumes during the winter These chid- the result, of a- complex series o! , circumstances' readers have an accurate under.- issues, we woukl. error~ izt t~ ed~ exacerbate the comal?~tity-wide bed9 pe~ ~,000 poison ~onwide toria~ partieu]afl~ a~ th~ relate tostaffn~pmblem, was. 3.3. ra California and- Kern theca~acityof]0calho~pitala: I~ is important for tl~ eo~ Co~tl~a~re~was2.4per 1,000. Contraz~ to the assertion in ¥ou~ totm~dthe~n~ Baae~o~cm~'u~eofhosPitalser- emergency departmenm i~ not ~ lack clearty diff~ from those f~w an avemiJ: we- eneoura~ continued responsi- ~)fbed~ Infaet, KemCountyha~asi~ shom~Beofbecl& hie, commanit~-based, discussion o£ nificant ovem~ply of licensed hed~: It is intperative tha~ we, icleat~: the issues so that- we may work The realproblem dugr, g this busy sea.. wa~ of Lncreasi~ ~e number of has. together to ensure all residents of the son is finding enough qualified hum- pital nurses in the community, southern San Joaquin YalleYcontinue ing staff so we can open q~_addilionai. Nursing remains a predominanti~ to have access to affordable quality beds to accommodate th~seasonaf female occupalion and women todarhealth .cam ' There is a clear distinction between In addition, nursing oppogunities out~. Dem~. Conrad is regional while the figures quoted in your ~ All local hospitals have been work- .inff for ~ Heaithcar~ West rialrepresentstaffedbeds, theedito~ ingdoselywithCalStamBakemfield: Centrat" California, which al erroneousl~ implied that.ttloge 1~ alld Bakersfield College to illcrease lnei~es: Bakerqfleld Memoricd utes represent tota~ Iicet~s~ beds/ the number of qualified nursing cargib- Hospilal~:. Mercy Westside l~fgures from the Office of Statewi~ dates/in addilion to conducling ohiO- 'Hdspl~a~ Merci Hospital, Mercy Health Planning and Development fo~ ingnalionwide recruilxnent efforts. $ou~liw~s~.~ Hospital and 1998 indicate that there are 1,607 total- . As a further point of clarificalion, Memorial Center. Another If~w i~'c[uding 988 acute care beds in torial regarding ~he number of editorial, pollql or hand~ng of Bakemfi~l. The new heart hospital licensed beds per 1,000 people in Kev~ the new~..It ma4l e. rceed the 25~ will add 48 more beds'to our already County. According to the most rece~- wo~to, the editor limit. ~, .__ .... E~[ERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM · TO: Fred Drew, Director FROM: Vicki Bertholf, Coordinator~~ .~-! - . DATE: February 8, 1999 SUBJECT: · Hospital Suatus Report for February 1999 ED Saturation OPEN Duration Incidents CLOSED *CHS KMC BMH MERCY". SJCH OPl~l' ED Saturation CLOSED *CHS II JANUARY 1999 23.4% 75.2% 1.5% 54.2% DECEMBER 1998 52.8% 47.2% 0.0% 23.9% · NOVEMBER 1998 ~_~. 62.5% , 37.4% 0.2% ,!3.8% OCTOBER 199~ 61.2% 38.9% 0.0% 8.2% sEPTEMBER 1998 79.6% 20.4% 0.0% 3.1% AUGUST 1998 68.4% 31.6% 0.0% 7.7%. JULY ~1998 70.:5% 29.3% 0.2% 9.6% JuNE 1998 80.8% 19.2% 0.0% 2.8% MAY 1998 80.1% 19.9% 0.0% 2.8% APRIL 1998 76.6% 23.4% 0.0% 2.7% MARCH 1998 7:5.5% 24.5% 0.0% 3.0% FEBRUARY 1998 84.7% 15.3% 0.0% 1.1% · CHS, "Closest Hospital status," is invoked by the EMS Depamnent when a{! hospitals have simultaneously reported Emergency Department Saturatioa status. BAKERSFIELD FFR - 8 Igqq Economic and Community Development Department February 8, 1998 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Jake Wager, Economic Development Director SUBJECT: Southeast Bakersfield PAC meeting of February 4 The third meeting of the Project Area Committee (PAC) for Southeast Bakersfield was held on Thursd~, February 4. At its January 21 meeting, there was extensive discussion on other items and, due t'6 the late hour, the identification of project issues and goals was deferred to the February 4 agenda. Because the Old Town Kern-Pioneer PAC completed its discussion of project issues and goals at its previous meeting, there was no need for that PAC to meet this past week. The Southeast PAC agenda covered the following items: 1. Identification of Southeast Bakersfield Redevelopment Project Issues and Goals by Mr. Paul Schowalter of GRC Redevelopment Consultants, Inc. 2. Request to establish a committee office and operational budget. 3. Formation of subcommittees. In the absence of PAC chair Art Powell, Vice Chair Stephanie Campbell called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Two other PAC members and one alternate arrived later, leaving Mr. Henry Shipes as the only alternate not in attendance. There were approximately eight members of the public in attendance. Mr. Schowalter facilitated discussion oft he "likes", "dislikes" and "overall goals" of the project area. Members found it difficult to identify many things they liked. In the dislikes section, many statements cited the city's lack of interest in fostering development in the area, and blaming the city for many of the area's problems and deterioration. A suggestion was made that the city should hire local consultants for future redevelopment work. There was much discussion among the PAC about the role the public members could have in this agendized discussion, because public members continued to ask questions and make statements not related to the agenda item. The next item centered upon a request to establish a committee office and operational budget Boutheast Bakersfield PAC meeting of February 4 February 8, 1999 Page 2 relative to Section 33388 of the California Health and Safety Code. In the agenda packet, staff detailed the amount of funds appropriated by the City Council to establish the two redevelopment areas, and the contracted amounts for consulting, environmental, and legal services. Mr. Ricky Peterson mentioned that he wanted to request a budget from the upcoming budget year, not the funds already appropriated by Council. Mr. Marvin Dean said he would consider offering his building adjacent to the MLK Center as a PAC office, since the PAC would be needed for three to five years after the plan is adopted. After discussion, the PAC voted to make a request to City Council that a community office be established. The PAC then discussed the issue of an operational budget for the PAC. Mr. Peterson stated the need for outside counsel to assist the PAC. Deputy City Attorney Janice Scanlan cited a case from another city where the court ruled that a city is not required to provide outside counsel to a PAC if the city is providing legal services. Mr. Peterson responded that her comment was incorrect and that was why outside counsel was needed--to fight for everything the PAC wants in redevelopment. Mr. Peterson also stated he had contacted Mr. William Slocumb who had offered to provide legal counsel to the PAC for $20,000 a year. Mr. Peterson did not wish to recommend the PAC hire Mr. Slocumb at this time, but submitted a motion to hire legal counsel. The motion failed on a vote of four yes, two no, and three abstentions. Mr. Dean asked when the budget cycle is for the submittal of an operational budget funded with CDBG funds. A request was made to place on the next agenda a discussion of a specific operational budget for the PAC and how it can be funded. In a discussion regarding the formation of subcommittees, Mr. Dean submitted the attached memo. The PAC voted to form subcommittees, but did not define what subcommittees would be formed and which members would be on them. Ms. Campbell again opened the meeting for public statements. One individual asked about the powers the PAC has. Mr. Charles Webb responded. Another individual asked what the consultant had found that needed redevelopment. Mr. Schowalter responded. A third individual member of the public asked Ms. Scanlan who she would represent if a future conflict arose between the city and the PAC. Ms. Scanlan responded that the PAC and the city are part of the same entity. Under PAC member statements, the following items were discussed: · Ms. Campbell asked that a discussion on operational expenses that Section 33388 says a PAC can have be placed on the next agenda. · Jonathan Webster mentioned his concern that the PAC has had three meetings and asked when the PAC is going to see the plan. He also asked how the PAC can know what it is doing if it does not know what is being proposed. · Ms. Campbell asked that a discussion on how to form subcommittees be placed on the next ~:'Southeast Bakersfield PAC meeting of February 4 February 8, 1999 Page 3 agenda. · Mr. Dean discussed the redevelopment process with members of the public. · Mr. Gil Anthony mentioned that some of the PAC comments are based on past mistrust of the city and asked staffto be patient. · Mr. Peterson asked that scheduling PAC meetings up to January 2000 be placed on the next agenda, even though it was mentioned by staff that the final joint public hearing in tentatively scheduled for May 26. · Mr. Peterson also asked that a discussion on the formation of a media subcommittee be placed on the next agenda. · Mr. Webb mentioned that an additional PAC meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, February 25 to review the draft redevelopment plan. The document will be sent out prior to the meeting. · Mr. Webb also mentioned that the tour that PAC members requested is scheduled for Saturday, February 20 and that Golden Empire Transit agreed to donate a bus and driver. Adjournment followed at 9.21 PM Staff will continue to provide these updates as the PAC meetings progress. attachment dI:\SSREDVAREA~PAC AdminsX3rd SE PAC meeting memo.wpd MEMORANDUM Date: 2/4/99 To: Southeast Bakersfield Project Area Committee (PAC) Members From: Marvin Dean RE: Statement Conceming Item VII A. - Formation of Subcommittees Background: PAC members were elected as representatives of the business community (2), community organization (2), homeowner residents (3) and tenant residents (3). We bring different interests to the PAC and have a limited time to meet to act on staff agenda items. We don't have time to fully discuss or address all issues of interest to our constituencies or get public input to be included in the final redevelopment plan. Ad-Hoc Subcommittees: ~ The Ad-hoc Subcommittees would be an official part of the PAC allowing PAC members as elected representatives of different groups to hold community meetings with their constituencies to develop issues and support for items to be included in the redevelopment plan. Because of all the competing interests it may be necessary to lobby the City Council for issues that our respective groups may feel are important. If our constituencies are not organized and there is no support developed for our issues they may not be addressed in the final redevelopment plan when it is adopted. Summary: · Ad-hoc subcommittees would not have to have a quorum to meet · PAC members who do not wish to form or be a part of an ad-hoc subcommittee do not have to participate. · The ad-hoc subcommittees would allow the PAC to track all redevelopment activity taking place in the Southeast. The subcommittees could make reports to the PAC. · Ad-hoc subcommittees needing staff support may request it through the PAC Chairperson. · As a business representative to the PAC, I would request that an ad-hoc subcommittee for business be formed to work on business retention, business recruitment to the area, business start-up, business employment commitment and business incentives to be included in the final redevelopment plan. 2/4/99 Confidential 1 BAKERSFIELD CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM February 9, 1999 ./3 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager ~( U FROM: John W. StinsongA~ss~tant City Manager SUBJECT: City Assuming Maintenance of C.H.P. Memorial on Buck Owens Boulevard Councilmember Rowles requested that staff look at the possibility of taking over the maintenance of the C.H.P. Memorial on Buck Owens Boulevard from the non-profit group that created the memorial. The maintenance primarily consists of mowing a small turf area and maintaining a limited number of shrubs and trees adjacent to the small parking area. There would also be some limited litter clean-up as well. The Recreation and Parks Department indicates that the maintenance could be done by city crews working nearby on 24th street or at Beach Park, at limited additional costs to the city. In doing research on the site I discovered that the City currently owns the C.H.P. Memorial site. We received title in 1996 when Caltrans relinquished the parcel as surplus right of way to the city following their completion of the realignment of Pierce Rd (now Buck Owens Boulevard) and after construction of the Memorial. Based on the above information it is my recommendation that the Recreation and Parks Department of the city assume the maintenance of this property. With your concurrence Recreation and Parks will notify the non-profit group of when they will begin maintaining the site. C:~vlyFiles\CHP Memorial Memo.wpd B A K E R S_ F ! E L D / -- --P~BLIC WORKS DEPARTed+- ~/ TO: ALAN TANDY, City Manager /~.~ '~ FROM: RAUL ROJAS, Public Works Direct~/~//'~~ DATE: February 10, 1999 SUBJECT: PANAMA NO. '12 ANNEXATION SEWER IMPROVEMENTS - UPDATE Council Referral WF0018024 / 001, Salvaggio ICouncilmember Mark Salvaggio requested staff provide him with the date of the pre- I construction meeting for the Panama No. 12 Annexation Sewer Improvements. I The contractor returned the signed contracts with appropriate bonds for the above-referenced project last week. The pre-construction meeting for this project was held this morning at which time the contractor was given the notice to proceed on the project. The contractor now has 15 calendar days to begin work on the project, and after he begins work he has 45 working days to complete the project.