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Home My WebLink About04/04/03 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM April 4, 2003 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: lan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information 1. I apologize for starting each week's memo with negative budget information lately but, regrettably, it is a reality. Our departments have reacted very well to the elimination of part-time and temporary positions, as well as the freezing of vacancies of many full-time permanent positions and many other budget cuts. They do not like it, of course, but they are team players and understand the situation. Others to whom we donate funds, or with whom we contract, do not understand the situation, and some will not react with the same team spirit as the departments have when the time comes for them to face up to budget reductions. Fair is fair, however, and expecting others to bear the same kinds of cuts as our departments is only reasonable. I did a series of employee meetings during the last two weeks to share information on the budget situation and to ask for cooperation and money saving ideas. I will brief the Council at the next regular meeting. In light of the above, I will be recommending to the Budget and Finance Committee that we suspend discussion on expanding City Hall space, at least until the legislative budget action has been decided. 2. We do have some good financial news. The property auction for the sale for the Mt Vernon property brought $650,000. We will process the papers through the Agency and to the City Council! 3. The groundbreaking ceremony for the ice rink went very nicely on Wednesday. There is a great deal of community enthusiasm for the project. 4. I believe the fundraising committee for the pool has put the variable depth bottom on hold for now. They are asking us to research having a four foot minimum depth, with an L-shaped three foot, six inch "wing". We will continue to research and respond to their questions. Honorable Mayor and City Council April 4, 2003 Page 2 5. Per Councilmember Benham's request, a memo is enclosed with recommendations on changes that can be made to the competitive swimming program to reduce the general fund costs for the program. 6. GET received a grant for $750,000 to expand the number of intersections with preemption devices. In the past only ambulances and fire equipment have had control over signal preemption - this would extend it to GET buses. Although Public Works has previously expressed concerns over disruption to traffic from that, the Public Works Director and Traffic Engineer are meeting with GET officials. By including communications devices where we do not have them, and by agreeing to certain operating procedures, those concerns can be reduced. The purely positive side of this situation is that it allows us to get preemption devices on all signals sooner and without money from the City! 7. The County is considering curbside pick up of bulky items as an additional service for residents in the unincorporated areas. Staff does not recommend that the City initiate bulky item service, as it is costly and we have made great progress in dealing with illegal dumping. A memo is attached with information points on bulky item disposal and illegal dumping. 8. Enclosed from LAFCO is their project schedule for the next three years. Our funding of the service plan would move consideration of a Sphere of Influence amendment from 2006 - 2007 to January 2004. RFP's have been sent to consulting firms who might do the study. We have not yet received any responses. 9. Updates related to the State budget crisis are enclosed for your information: · March 28th newsletter from the California Fire Chiefs Association; · April 3rd Los Angeles Times article regarding the possible cancellation of a proposed $2 billion State bond issue that would have been paid off with tobacco settlement funds; 10. Senator Poochigian's office recently completed a survey of Central Valley businesses and governments regarding the current status of the State Workers Compensation system. A summary of those results is attached for your information. 11. Attached is an update on the northbound exit ramp at White Lane and State Route 99 Overcrossing, and the soundwall adjacent to the Smoke Tree Mobile Home Park. We suffered a month's delay at the CTC, but will be moving forward with an all out effort to get approval at the next meeting. 12. The list of "High Five" award winners from the first quarter of 2003 is enclosed from the Employee Incentive Committee. Honorable Mayor and City Council April 4, 2003 Page 3 13 Responses to Councilmember requests are enclosed: Councilmemer Carson · Preliminary report on need for traffic sign at Kincade and Texas Streets; · Feasibility of Fire Department paramedic services Councilmember Benham · Status on contacting local newspaper to support recycling program; · Status of Police enforcement actions at Rally's building on Chester Avenue; · Cleaning of the Municipal Parking Lot Councilmember Maqgard · Status of alley repair between Christmas Tree Lane and Cambridge Drive Councilmember Couch · Plan for trimming trees located on Hageman.Road between Carriage Ranch and Patton; · Status report on installation of traffic signal at Main Plaza and Hageman Road; · Evaluation of intersection at Coffee Road and Peanut for possible traffic signage or signal; · Repair of brick wall at west side of Main Plaza Drive; · Highway 99 entry signs cleanup Councilmember Salvaggio · Staff response to citizen regarding curbside recycling pilot program; · Result of inspection of trees on the South H Street median between Ming and Wilson Avenue; · Schedule for planting trees between H Street between Wilson and White Lane. AT: rs cc: Department Heads Pam McCarthy, City Clerk Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst RECEiVeD 2 8 2003 1 CITY ~]ANAGER'S :"" ,.~, .~:' Department of Recreation and Parks Date: March 28, 2003 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Stan Ford, Director of Recreation and Parks Subject: Competitive Swimming Program Pursuant to your request regarding changes that can be made to the competitive swimming program in order to reduce the general fund support for the program, I recommend the following: · Adjust fees to reduce the subsidy and be more consistent with other youth sports programs · Eliminate components of the program that are not fundamental to the program goals, the participants experience, or the benefits derived from the program · Adjust the program times to be more convenient for the majority of the participants and their families which will also have a very positive impact on the overall aquatic program schedule Specific changes would be: ·Adjust the fee for city residents from $40 to $65. Increase non-resident fees from $51 to $80. · Maintain a full practice and meet schedule but eliminate the scoring and place awards for the weekly competitions. This will reduce the number of staff needed at the weekly meets by four. · Return the city championship meet to a city facility instead of renting the CSUB pool. In prior years, the meet was hosted at Jefferson. Silver Creek is also a possibility. In future years, our new facility will be ideal. · The new practice schedule will reduce the number of mid- day practices in order to better meet the needs of families who have working parents or head of household. This will also allow for a better schedule for lessons and recreational swimming which are the highest demand aquatic programs. In 2002, program revenue was $17,518 and expenses were $37,978 which required $20,460 in support from the general fund. Assuming the same level of participation, the recommended adjustments would result in revenue of $27,913 and expenses of $28,408 which will reduce the subsidy to $495. I should note that the recommended changes will still allow for the same number of participants as in previous years (last year approximately 350 swimmers participated). Please let me know if you need additional information. B _~ K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director~~. DATE: April 1, 2003 SUBJECT: Bulky Item Disposal and Illegal Dumping Cleanups The County is considering curbside pickup of bulky items as an additional service for residents in the unincorporated Bakersfield area, based on a request from Supervisor Maben. The intent is to prevent illegal dumping. County staff has indicated there would be an additional fee added to the regular fee for mandatory trash service. There would then be a significant increase in County trash collection fees in July, due to three factors. These are in addition to the landfill fee increases which, approved by the Board of Supervisors in December, affect both City and County areas. The three factors for County-only rates are: 1. A regular fee increase to cover the last three years of inflation. 2. A new fee to cover the cost of hauling administration separately from landfill fees. 3. The new fee for curbside bulky item collection mentioned above. Staff does not recommend adding this costly new service for all City residents, as the City has made great progress this year in dealing with illegal dumping. However, the County's new program may reduce the level of service in the existing, jointly sponsored quarterly bulky item drop off program. This would result in a cost impact for the City to maintain the current level of the quarterly bulky item drop off program. Therefore, the City will need to determine what, if any, change it will make in its program. If anything, staff would request permission to have landlords "pre-approve" removal of bulky items around apartment bins, which tend to be the major source of furniture discards. This service would be based on the existing rate of $59 per hour for special hauling, with charges in ~,4 hour increments. Staff has prepared the following information points for your reference on the subject of bulky item disposal and illegal dumping: Mandatory Collection in County Areas began in January of 2001. The City experienced a significant reduction in tonnage collected from refuse bins near County areas. The City also experienced a reduction in cases of illegally dumped household garbage. However, illegal dumping of bulky items continued. G:\GROUPDAThMemo~2003kBulky Item Program.doc April 1, 2003 April 1,2003 Memorandum to Alan Tandy, City Manager Bulky Item Disposal and Illegal Dumping Cleanups Page 2 Quarterly Bulky Item Events have been jointly conducted by the City, the County, and the County's franchised haulers since 1999. Public participation is good, with about 90 tons collected per event. It is our understanding that the County's franchise haulers include this program in the current refuse rate. The cost for the City's portion of the program is about $12,000 per year. This is equivalent to 20 cents per year in the residential rate of $144. Curbside collection of bulky items would cost many times this amount. County Clean Up Crews using prison labor were eliminated in 2002, leaving the County with only volunteer efforts to clean up illegal dumping. Free Dumpin,q at Landfill for residential bulky items is provided seven days per week, funded by the County's $57 annual land use fee (going to $66 in July 2003). The problem is that most people do not know or care to drive there. Educational "NO DUMPING" Signs have been posted at six City locations where chronic illegal dumping occurs. The signs show a map to the Shafter and Bena landfills, and state that free residential dumping is available there. Dumping has been reduced at some of the sign locations. Code Enforcement Calls for removal of debris are referred to the Solid Waste Division for cleanup. The 86-CLEAN Hotline is in operation, and the Solid Waste Division's new Clean up crew is dispatched to remove illegally dumped material (usually bulky items) from alleys and rights of way. Occasional requests from community groups for cleanup events are forwarded to the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful coordinator. Apartment Furniture Discards are a constant challenge for refuse collectors, as these bulky items often block access to or overfill the refuse bins. Special effort is needed to get many landlords or property managers to properly dispose of these items, many of which are claimed as "illegal dumping". Automatic removal of bulky items left next to refuse bins, through preauthorized service based on the City's existing hourly fee, would greatly improve apartment areas which commonly have bulky items abandoned for long periods of time. The Arvin Landfill Closure is scheduled for June 30, 2003. Disposal from Arvin, Lamont, and southern Bakersfield will be redirected to Bena Landfill. This has high potential to increase illegal dumping activity. G:\GROUPDAT~Iemo~2003~Bulky Item Program.doc 4/1/2003 LA..~CO 2700 "M" Streeto Suite 290 (661)862-8950 Bakersfield CA 93301 FAX (661)862-8951 Kem County Local Agency Formation Commission t CEI APR- 12003 March 27, 2003 !Ct '.'~ ~: ~,~JV "~,':-:' r' Alan Tandy City Manager City of Bakersfield 1501 Truxtun Ave Bakersfield CA 93301 Dear Alan, Enclosed is a schedule of LAFCo projects for the next three years. These studies are scheduled to comply with a requirement of the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. This Act requires a Municipal Services Review and Sphere of Influence update for each city. Some cities (Cai City, Bakersfield, and Shaffer) need these Sphere of Infiuence updates before LAFCo can get to them. They have undertaken or are in the process of preparing the studies using their own resources with close co-ordination with LAFCo. This will advance the completion date of their sphere review appreciably. This option is available. to every city. I look forward to working closely with you on this project in the future. - - -~i,,,'ereJy, - William A. Turpin SCHEDULE OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES WORK Work Done : Work Required Schedule California City and California City CSD Municipal Services Draft and Geheral LAFCo Findings and Approval indings January 2003 AVECK; East Kern Resource Conservation; East Plan Update and Related Envirofimental Kern Cemetery; East Kern Airport ! City of Wasco and Shafler Wasco I~rigation Wasco General Plan and Wasco City District Services, Findings and lay 2003 District; Pond Poso Resource Conse?ation; Shafter Services Service Review Approval Wasco Cemetery; North Kern Wate~i Storage; Semitropic Water Storage; Wasco Recreati°n and Parks District City of Shafler and Shafter Recreation and Park General Plan Update Underway Municipal Service Review; ~ecember 2003 District ' Findings and Approval City of Bakersfield and Greenfield Water; Kern General Plan Update December 2002 District Services Info.; Findings ~nuary 2004 Mosquito Abatement; Kern County Water Agency; and Approval Kern Levee; East Niles CSD; Rio Bravo Water Storage; Kern Delta Water Storage; Buena Vista Resource Conservation; Fairhaven Fire Protection; NOR Recreation and Parks; NOR Sa;nitary; NOR Municipal Water City of Delano and City of McFarlan~l; North Kern General Plan Update 1999 District Services Info.; Some City June 2004 South Tulare Hospital; Kern Tulare '~yater District; Services Info.; Findings and Delano Mosquito Abatement Districtg Rag Gulch Approval Water District; Cawello Water District; Southern San Joaquin Municipal Utilities District City of TehachaPi; ' · i. Mountain Meadows csD; Bear General Plan Update 1999 All December 2004 Valley CSD; Stallion Springs CSD; Golden Hills CSD; Tehachapi Resource Conservation District; 'Tehachapi Health Care; Quail Valtey ~.Water District; Tehachapi Cummings Valleyl Water District; Keene Water District; Tehachapi Recreation and Parks District Work Done Work Required Schedule City of Taf[; City of Maricopa; West S le Some General Plan Work All Services Review Info; Findings June 2005 Recreation and Park District; West Ke~, Water "and Approval District; Buena Vista Water'District; W~st Side Hospital District; West Side Cemetery ¢istrict City of Ridgecrest; Indian Wells ValleytWater~t Some General Plan Work All Services Review Info; Findings December 2005 District; Inyokern CSD; Inyokern AirpOrt District July 2003 and Approval / City °f Arvin; Arvin CSD; Bear Mountain Recreation and Parks District; Arvin Ed ison Water None All December 2005 Storage District; Maricopa Wheeler Rid ge Water Storage District California Fire Chiefs Association March 28, 2003 1:25 p.m. (PST) BUDGET WATCH Most of the Legislature's budget subcommittees continued to meet this week and for the most part, delayed action on major items, probably until after the Governor releases his May Revision on May 14. On Tuesday, Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte, on behalf of the Senate Republican Caucus, appeared before the Senate Budget Committee to present the Senate Republicans' budget proposal. In addition to calling for an additional 7% across-the-board reduction in the Governor's proposed budget, the plan alsO included a $1.5 billion, 3-Year hit on local governments. Senator Brulte stated that while he opposes most of the impacts on local government proposed by Governor Davis, Brulte said: "We need local governments to help participate in the solution." Brulte said that the $500 million hit over the next 3 years would be left to local governments relative to which revenues and from which agencies would be left to the local governments themselves and the Legislature should not make that decision without their input. Brulte also discussed two other elements contained in the Senate Republicans' plan. The first includes a constitutional amendment designed to "protect local government revenues from future state intervention." Again, few details were presented. The final component of the plan relates to state-mandated local programs. Brulte said that local governments should not be required to implement new mandated programs, or higher levels of service for existing programs, unless the state fully reimburses them for those costs. Most of the Democrat members of the Senate Budget Committee were highly critical of the Senate Republicans' plan, specifically the 7% additional across-the-board reduction in the Governor's proposed budget. Brulte responded: "At least we have put a budget plan forward - where's your plan." Legislative Analyst Liz Hill also appeared before the Senate Budget Committee and informed the Committee that even with the $3.3 billion mid-year reductions the Legislature passed last week, the State will end this fiscal year $8.2 billion in deficit. Not good news! BILL OF THE WEEK On March 24th, Assembly Member Steinberg introduced Assembly Constitutional Amendment #14, relating to local government special taxes. The bill would authorize local governments, with the approval of only a majority of its voters voting on the proposition in an election, to impose a special tax that it is otherwise authorized by law to impose, if the tax is imposed exclusively to fund projects for local infrastructure. The bill defines infrastructure as follows: 1 .. General infrastructure. 2.. Conservation of land dedicated to agricultural use, recreational use, or open-space use, and the maintenance and creation of neighborhood parks. 3.. Construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of emergency shelters, and the provision of housing, including rental housing, that will be affordable to persons of lower income households of very Iow-income households for not less than 55 years. Assembly Constitutional Amendment #14 requires a two-thirds vote in each house of the Legislature prior to its placement on a statewide ballot. RAH/kmg Powered by _~nfoga~e Budget Aid May Go Up in Smoke aa=. A tobacco firm's legal problems jeopardize a $2-billion bond plan the state was counting on. 04/03/2003 - 06:16 AM PST (14:16 GMT) By Evan Halper and Torn Petruno Times Staff Writers SACRAMENTO -- More than $2 billion that California lawmakers were counting on to help balance the state budget is suddenly in jeopardy because a major tobacco company faces legal and financial problems. On Wednesday, state officials announced that they may be forced to at least postpone raising the money through revenue bonds to be paid off with the state's share of national tobacco settlement funds. Although state officials expressed confidence that they will eventually be able to raise the money, some market watchers say that is uncertain. The state of Virginia has already called off a tobacco bond offering it had underway. If the California bonds cannot be sold -- either because investors won't risk buying them or because higher interest rates would make them too costly to taxpayers -- the state's already staggering budget gap would grow to as much as $37 billion over the next :[5 months. At the very least, analysts say, the latest downgrading of tobacco bonds' credit rating will drive interest rates up, costing the state tens of millions of dollars or more in additional payments. Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson (D-Culver City) called the situation "worrisome." "We want to make sure we do whatever it is we have to do to make sure the state is not at risk," he said. The tobacco bond market was thrown into chaos on March 2:[, when an Illinois court ordered cigarette giant Philip Morris to pay billion for deceiving smokers by advertising "light" cigarettes as less harmful. The court ordered the company to put up a $:[2-billion bond to cover damages owed, even as it appeals. That prompted bond rating agencies on Wall Street to warn that the company might have to seek bankruptcy protection if the collateral is not reduced. Philip Morris has since warned it may not have enough cash to make the next scheduled payment due 46 states under a :[998 agreement that settled the bulk of the states' health-liability cases against the tobacco industry. That payment is due April 15 -- the same day California was originally expected to complete its sale of tobacco bonds, which are backed by these future payments from tobacco companies. On Tuesday, the state of Virginia said it canceled a $767-million tobacco bond sale that already was underway, citing "instability" in the market because of the Philip Morris court case. But on Wednesday, Gov. Gray Davis said California will not follow suit. He said that the state "may delay [the bond sale] a week or two weeks, but we believe the bonds are still marketable and that they will provide the funds we anticipate in our budget." It is up to state Treasurer Phil Angelides to decide whether to postpone the sale, and for how long. A spokesman said Angelides has not yet made a decision on how to proceed. Republicans, however, were skeptical. Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga said that although administration officials suggested the Phillip Morris problems were a "speed bump, not a roadblock, I'm a little more concerned about it than that." Most Republicans opposed using the tobacco bonds as a mechanism for balancing the budget. Some said the situation California now faces is evidence that it is too risky. "Frankly, it was just bad business," said Assembly Republican Leader Dave Cox of Fair Oaks. Many bond market experts are skeptical that California can sell the planned $2.3 billion of tobacco settlement bonds until the ]~llinois court case involving Philip Morris is resolved. Times staff writer .]effrey Rabin contributed to this report. NewsDirect is a service of B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager April 1, 2003 FROM: Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager ~ SUBJECT: Articles on Workers' Compensation Survey Results Senator Poochigian's Office recently completed a survey of Central Valley businesses and governments regarding the current status of the state's Workers' Compensation system. The City of Bakersfield has experienced huge increases in workers compensation claims costs over the past 4 years, although the number of claims has not increased. Attached is a summary of the results of the survey, which is non-scientific and anecdotal in nature. However, it brings to light many of the structural problems associated with the system. The article is interesting reading and underscores the importance of supporting legislation to reform the existing system. Notes from Senator .lim Brulte, RepublicanLeader a Senators: Senate Republic n SamAanestad Dick Ackerman Caucus Chairman Roy Ashburn Jim Battin .]eft Denham Chuck Poochigian Dennis .ollingsworth Ross .]oh nson William .]. "Pete" Knight Legislative updates relating to Bob Margett California's business climate. Tom McClintock Bruce McPherson Bill Morrow Rico Oiler Chuck Poochigian March 27, 2003 Workers' Compensation Survey Results: Pressure Mounts to Reform System California's budget crisis is largely the result of the state's declining economic climate and the failure to control spending. As California continues to suffer through a deep recession, workers' compensation insurance premiums increases are often cited as one of the greatest impediments to job creation and, in fact, have forced employers to slash other costs. In an effort to gain a better understanding of the scope of the problem, Senate Republicans created a workers' compensation on-line survey. The survey includes seven simple questions. Caucus members received over two thousand responses from all over the state. Results from the Poochigian web-survey provide an important insight into this growing crisis. Survey Results ~ Over 80% of respondents had premium increases of 50% or more. Nearly 50% of respondents had increases exceeding 100%. Percentage Increase In Workers Comp Over 3 Years 50% Bcreases o[ Increases o[ Increases of 50% or koss 50% or ~re ~ro than ~00% Employers have seen dramatic increases in costs despite a reduction in injuries. Rate Increase in Workers Comp Costs to Businesses With No Increased Claims Over 3 Years Employers have had to reduce employee benefits, reduce work hours, or layoff employees to address the rapidly rising costs. Percentage of Employers Forced To Reduce Benefits, Hours, or Positions 80- 60- 40- 20- 0- Reduced or Bi~nated Reduced Hours or Health and Retirement E3iminated Positions Benefits Bills Introduced To Address Crisis There have been more than 50 bills addressing the workers' compensation crisis introduced this legislative session. This intense legislative effort is in no small measure in response to calls by Senate Republicans for cost reduction. These bills will be heard in the coming weeks. The legislative calendar provides that all bills must be heard in their policy committees by May 2, 2003. The deadline for bills to be sent to the Governor for signature or veto is September 12. INote: The data discussed hem does not represent a scientific survey, but clearly demonstrates, through a wide range of I respondents, seriously escalating costs associated with California's workers' compensation system. I REPUBLICAN -~.~~,~~, CAUCUS CHAIRMAN WORKERS' COMPENSATION HEARINGS CONVEY URGENCY TO SACRAMENTO Senator Poochigian, as Chair of the Central Valley Economic Development Committee, convened the third informational hearing on Workers' Compensation in the Central Valley where business owners and members of the community testified about how skyrocketing premium rates are adversely affecting business and the local economy. CAPITOL OFFICE ROOM 5087 According to the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, California employers' (916) 445-9600 costs for insurance premiums have more than doubled since 1999. In 2002, businesses Fm~.S~OOmCE paid an estimated $15 billion, whereas, in 1999, employers paid $7.1 billion. Additionally, costs are expected to continue to increase dramatically this year due to legislation (559) 253-7122 enacted in 2002. Beginning in January, Poochigian held hearings in Bakersfield, Fresno and Modesto. Committee hearings were attended by more than 600 business representatives, local WORKERS' COMP government officials, and concerned members of the community. Among the nearly 100 HEARINGS CONVEY people who testified were: URGENCY TO SACRAMENTO · An owner of a small fast food franchise whose ratio of workers' compensation rates to total payroll has increased by 78% in two years, which will require the restaurants to increase sales by $265,000 to compensate for the increase. Because they lack "Skyrocketing workers' profitability, two stores will be closed, laying off more than 80 employees in Kern compensation rates are County. stifling business in our state. The cdsis is · An owner of a family-owned Mexican restaurant whose premiums have increased by costing jobs and 70%. Plans for expansion have been suspended, and employer-paid retirement and continues to contribute health plans may be cut to compensate for the rate increases. The restaurant to the economic employs 130 employees. depression that plagues the Central Valley. An operations manager from a home heath care service provider whose rates have California's economic · recovery depends on a increased by $200,000 to a total of $450,000 annually. He reported that rates were robust, job-producing expected to increase by the same amount in the next two years, which will ultimately have an effect their ability to provide service to more than 200 medically fragile and / pdvate sector which will, in turn, significantly or disabled children, adults and seniors. impact the current state · An owner of a framing construction business whose workers' compensation budget deficit." premiums, based on an annual payroll of $2,700,000, have increased from $370,000 last year to $670,000 in the upcoming year. The owner reported that because the -- Chuck Poochigian business is unable to absorb or pass on increased costs to developers, he may be forced to move his business out of California, which employs more than 120 workers. M~d~cn 28, 2003 · A manufacturer that employs 60 workers whose premiums have increased by more than 101% The owner reported to the Committee that, within the last 12 months, eleven other California manufacturing plants similar to his have gone out of business, resulting in more than 884 job losses, mostly due to increased workers' compensation rates. · The administrative officer of a large Central Valley county that is self-insured for workers' compensation. The official reported that there has been a 15% increase for this particular line-item appropriation, which represents $1.5 million in funding; the amount of funds that could pay for 15 deputy sheriffs on patrol or 25 social service workers. · A family-owned foundry that closed its doom the day before the owner testified before the Committee. Workers' compensation rates were reported as one of the main reasons for closing. Their rates increased 21% in 2001, 39% in 2002 and 50.5% in 2003. Twenty-seven employees were laid off. Pressure Mounts to Reform Workers' Compensation System: Testimony at the Committee hearings amounts to a groundswell of distressed businesses communicating their message to the legislative leaders in Sacramento that have the ability to make much-needed reforms possible. Currently, Califomia employers pay the highest p'i'emiums in the nation, while at the same time, employees receive among the lowest benefits nationwide. A number of factors were cited as causes of the crisis, including: · Increased health care costs · High legal costs · The lack of objective medical guidelines on which medical decisions are based · High medical utilization rates · The lack of a medical fee schedule · An ineffectual vocational rehabilitation program There have been more than 50 bills addressing the workers' compensation crisis introduced this legislative session. This intense legislative effort is in no small 'measure in response to calls by Senate Republicans for cost reduction. These bills will be heard in the coming weeks. The legislative calendar provides that all bills must be heard in their policy committees by May 2, 2003. The deadline for bills to be sent to the Governor for his signature or veto is September 12. Senate Republicans across the state are also convening town hall meetings to discuss the workers' compensation crisis. Events have been held in Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Sacramento County, Palmdale, and Santa Cruz. Upcoming town halls will be held in Orange County, Riverside County, San Diego and Santa Clara. In an effort to gain a better understanding of the scope of the problem, Senate Republicans also created a workers' compensation on-line survey. The survey includes seven simple questions. Caucus members received over two thousand responses from all over the state. Results from the Poochigian web-survey provide an important insight into this growing crisis. (Click here to view the results) The Senate Select Committee on Central Valley Economic Development was established in 2001 to study factors contributing to a depressed economy in Central California, high unemployment rates, educational opportunities, the need for infrastructure development, and various regulatory and statutory burdens affecting job creation and quality of life. The committee's jurisdictional boundaries include the counties of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare. Poochigian was recently re-appointed to serve as chairman of the committee. B A K 1~ R $ F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM April 3, 2003 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Update-White Lane @ State Route 99 Attached is an update on the northbound exit ramp at White Lane and State Route 99 Overcrossing and the soundwall adjacent to the Smoke Tree Mobile Home Park. Attachment G:\GROUPDA~M2003_CityManager~Update_White Lane at SR 99 Transmittal.doc B A K E R S F I E L D Public Works Department Memorandum TO: Raul M. Rojas, Public Works Director FROM: Nick Fidler, Civil Engineer III ~ DATE: April 3, 2003 SUBJECT: White Lane at S.R. 99 Overcrossing Widening and Interchange Improvements. On February 10, 2003, the City formally requested that funds for the Soundwall adjacent to the Smoke Tree Mobile Home Park and the northbound exit ramp at the White Lane/S.R. 99 Interchange be placed on the April 3, 2003 CTC Agenda for allocation of the State and Federal funds programmed for this project. On March 28, 2003, the Project Manager for Caltrans informed the City via e-mail that the Soundwall would not be voted on by the CTC at their April 3rd meeting. The Caltrans Project Manager did not recommend approval for the CTC vote at their April 3, 2003 meeting because: 1.) The construction plans were not approved by Caltrans and he did not feel that the plans were not at 95% completion; 2.) The Cooperative Agreement was not signed by the City. City's design consultant had submitted 95% complete plans for the project in January, 2003 and received comments from Caltrans on March 17, 2003. Once City staff was informed of the situation and after review of submittals, staff was informed that there was confusion by Caltrans staff with another project which was not at 95% completion. Staff initially requested execution of the cooperative agreement for funds on the soundwall several months ago and Caltrans headquarters had the agreement for 4-5 · months in review. After several requests by city. staff on the status of the agreement, we just received the cooperative agreement from Caltrans on March 31, 2003. After review, staff had comments on the cooperative agreement and requested revisions. The cooperative agreement for the soundwall funds will be placed on the April 30, 2003 City Council meeting requesting approval and competed by Caltrans thereafter. The allocation of the funds are now proposed for the May 21-22, 2003 CTC meeting. 100% complete plans, specifications and estimates for the proposed improvements are to be submitted for Caltrans review by April 16, 2003 and requesting Caltrans approval for construction by May 6, 2003. The City will begin advertisement for construction once we receive approval from CTC for funds on May 22, 2003 and estimate construction to begin in July 2003. c: Jack LaRochelle, Arnold Ramming, Ted Wright, Reading File S:\PROJ ECTS\Ngf~White Lane_99~n em o4-3-03_soundwall.doc B A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM April 4, 2003 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: ~of-Rhonda Smiley, Office Administrator- Public Relations SUBJECT: Employee Incentive Program The Employee Incentive Committee is happy to provide the list of High Five Award recipients for the first quarter of 2003. The winners of the random drawing are noted in bold. All of these individuals were recognized by their peers, supervisors, or members of the public for exceptional work and/or customer service. Each recipient is automatically inducted into the "High Five Club" for the fiscal year and is also recognized monthly in the City's employee newsletter. We applaud these individuals for a job Well done. Attachments 2003 HIGH FIVE AWARD ,January Nominee Title Dept Date Nominator . Co~ents 1 Aguilar, George Laborer Parks 1/30/2003 Lee Ochoa quality effort assisting w/high-maintenance Seven Oaks assignment 2 B0rion, Richard Fire Captain Fire 1/30/2003 Robert Melton donated his own timeto help a citizen disassemble a treehouse 3 Boytis, Robin Clerk Typist I Exe/City Clerk 1/31/2003 Janice Scanlan made sure that Mayor signed a document essential to a $6 million project 4 Carabajal, Ernie Sr. Police Officer Police 1/27/2003 Mary DeGeare excellent customer service; professional, understanding, courteous 1/30/2003 S~t Gary Moore letter from out-of-state vehicle commending handling of an impound * 5 Cardoza, Robert Craftworker I PW/Gen Srv 1/3/2003 Darnell Haynes worked on New Year's Eve holiday to complete'a last minute assignment for council member's project 6 Davidson, Karl GIS Analyst IT 01/30/03 Sgt. H. Nuriddin demonstrated great teamwork w/c. ourtesy & genuine concern for · fellow employee; working late on a holiday/weekend for P.D. 7 Dole, Richard Associate Planner Development Srv 01/27/03 Jim Eggert gave 100% to complete sPecial project with a short turn-around time 8 Dorkin, Mike Fleet Srv Worker I PW/Fleet Srv 01/17/03 Joe Grubbs goes out of his way to take care of vehicles with a great attitude 9 Farnsworth, Candice Clerk Typist I Police 01/27/03 EliTeheth Agerton good example of teamwork - always willing to offer help 10 Francisco, Ben Light Equip Op PW/Streets 1/3/2003 Rene Martinez came in a 4 a.m. & worked weekends to catch up workload 11 Gonzalez, Fidel Trades Assistant PW/Gen Srv 0!/03/03 Darnell Haynes ~worked on New Year's Eve holiday to complete a last minute assignment for council member's project 12 Grubbs, Joe Police Sergeant Police 01/07/03 Greg~i Batchelor ook the time and effort to. correct a problem he didnl create 13 Harrin~lton, Martin Srv Maint Worker Parks 01/30/03 Lee Ochoa filled in for mowing crew leader; diligent effort w/consistent results 14 Harris, Dave Srv Maint Worker PW/Streets 01/03/03 Rene Martinez came in a 4 a.m. & worked weekends to catch up workload 15 Haude, Robert Srv Maint Worker PW/Gen Srv 01/27/03 Charles Webb went above & beyond to the day before MLK celebration to make suro building were painted; helped residents, got paint, etc. 16 Horst, Steve Police Officer Police 01/27/03 Mary DeGeare )rovided CPR in a tragic school situration; professional, calm 17 Hurry, Mike Fire Engineer Fire 01/30/03 Robert Melton donated his own time to help a citizen disassemble a treehouse 18 Jaimes, Oscar I ~horer Parks 01/30/03 Lee Ochoa his comittment to quality and production are a valuable asset 19 Johnson, .~...Ivin Sr. Police Officer Police 01/30/03 Mary DeGeare escorted out-of-town citizen to healthcare facility during a rain storm 20 Kaiser, Buffy Help Desk Specialist IT 01/30/03 Sgt H. Nuriddin demonstrated great teamwork w/courtesy & ~tenuine concern for fellow employee; working late oh a holiday weekend for P.D. 21 Lawson, Wayne Assistant Planner Development Srv 01/27/03 Jim Eg~lert gave 100%'to complete special project with a short turn-around time 22 I ~roti, Ed Supervisor II Parks 01/27/03 Stephanie Villa removed bushes from area where numerous accidents have occurred 23 Lewis, Irma Clerk Typist I Police 01/27/03 Elizabeth.Agerton covered 24-hour desk so others could have a break; positive attitude 24 Lewis, Terry Police Sergeant Police 01/07/03 Gregg Batchelor took the time and effort to correct a problem he didnl create 25 Maxwell, Mark Firefighter Fire 01/30/03 Robert Melton donated his own time to help a citizen disassemble a treehouse 26, ,¥.c~cado, Sam Supervisor I PW/Gen Srv 01/03/03 Darnell Haynes worked on New Year's* Eve holiday to complete a last minute assignment for council member's project 27 Munoz, Steve Firefighter Fire 01/30/03 Robert Melton donated his own time to help a citizen disassemble a treehouse 28 Orona, Felix Fleet Mechanic II PW/Fleet Srv 01/17/03 Joe Grubbs goes out of his way to take care of vehicles With a great attitude 29 ,Parks, Jean Secretary II Exe/City Man 01/17/03 Roberta Gafford covered an Adm. Hearing; set up conf room, and prepared minutes 30 P!_~?~, Rude/ Light Equip Op PW/Streets 01/03/03' Rene Martinez came in a 4 a.m. & worked wcc~ends to catch up workload 31 Powers, Amy Clerk Typist II Police 01/27/03 Elizabeth Agerton helped with 24-hour desk, Teletype and phones; 32. Ryan, John Canal Tender III Water 01/30/03 Don Richardson :gone the "extra mile" in dealing w/lower carrier canal emer. Shudown,-; 2003 HIGH FIVE AWARD january= 33 Tallant, Anthony Facilib/Worker Parks 01/30/03 Lee Ochoa went the extra mile to draft a map of his area making even/one's job easier 34 Turner, Keitha Clerk Typist II Cit~ Clerk 01/27/03 Pam McCarthy took lead durin~ illness of supervisors; ~ot out pre-a~enda, handled calls from departments, and assisted fellow staff with public issues. 2003 HIGH FIVE AWARD I=el3ruary Nominee Title Dept Date Nominator Comments 1 Ante, David Facility Worker PW/Gen Srv 2/4/2003 Lt. Dave Haskins Volunteered to care for East Area Satellite Office; great attitude, positive influence 2 Bell, Chris Facility Worker PW/WW 2/25/2003 Pam Abe Outstanding iob working with difficult group of individuals; work is very accurate 3 Colitti, Jeff Office Sys Analyst Exec/IT 2/26/2003 Alan Christensen Worked long hours, including weekends, under pressure to solve a webcast issue 4 Deeter, Bruce Civil Engineer III PW/Traffic 2/12/03 Jacques LaRochelle Exemplary work on Kern COG traffic model 5 Estes, Jenny Clerk Typist I City Atty 2/21/02 Patti Hock Extremely organized & dependable; always willing to help out; a real asset to dept. 6 Fick, Mark Supervisor II PW/Streets 2/13/03 David Oieda During recent rain storm came through promptly as a real teamplayer 7 :Greene, Rudy SWEO PW/SW 2/11/03 Janet Massey Makes extra effort to volunteer assistance with routes that aren't his 8 IJones, Bob Comm Engineer PW/Telecom 2/26/03 Rebecca Jamison Came in early and "under the weather" to facilite a hectic move of phone equipmen, 9 'Lewis, Patrina Network Sys Tech Exec/IT 2/26/03 Rebecca Jamison Very accommodating and responsive to dept needs during hectic mover of equip 10 McCrea, Janet HR Supervisor Exec/HR 2/26/03 Alan Christensen With efficiency & responsiveness, spent a lot of effort to develop a specialized training program for a dept., facing potential resistance from trainees 11 Mercado, Sam Supervisor II PW/Gen Srv 2/6/03 Nelson Smith On a tight deadline, very helpful in expediting an important proiect with EDCD move 12 Paggi, Robin Exec/HR HR Analyst 2/26/03 Alan Christensen With efficiency & responsiveness, spent a lot of effod to develop a specialized training program for a dept., facing potential resistance from trainees 13 Moore, Lisa Sr Off Sys Analyst Exec/IT 2/26/03 Alan Christensen Worked long hours, including weekends, under pressure to solve a webcast issue 14 Paulden, Cameron Fire Engineer Fire 2/21/03 William Ballard Continued excellence in routine tasks; above and beyond expectations;fine example 15 Russell, Sam Comm Tech II PW/Telecom 2/3/03 Para Abe Extremely patient in helping staff to learn new phnoe system & programming to each phone to meet individual needs 16 Thomson, Andrew Deputy City Atty City Att)/ 2/21/03 Patti Hock Successfully defended the City in three trials; very helpful, a joy to work for 17 Walker, Conchita Engineer II PW/Design 2/21/03 EIC In current financial crisis goes above and beyond to save City money by collecting used paper, taking it home and making notes pads for staff to use 18 Wolf, Greg Engineering Aide I PW/WW 2/21/03 EIC In current financial crisis goes above and beyond to save City money by collecting used paper, taking it home and making notes pads for staff to use 2003 HIGH FIVE AWARD March Nominee Title Dept Date Nominator Comments 1 !Alemao, Gilbert Supr II PW / GS 03/10/03 Sheree Skelly Very courteous and prompt; very professional; pleasure to work with 2 Austin, Mark Canal Tender Water Res 03/12/03 Don Richardson Went the extra mile in dealing with a large problem 3 Bowersox, Chris Officer PD 03/05/03 Charmaine Gonzales Always willing to help with the public; volunteers to assist others. 4 Branson, Darrin Acct. Clerk II PW / SW 03/10/03 Martha Haslebacher Always goes the extra mile; never hesitates to help co-workers. 5 Butler, Gerald Equip Oprtr PW / SW 02/26/03 Kevin Barnes Helps out whever needed on various routes; does a great job. 6 Copeland, Roosevelt Equip Oprtr PW / SW 03/20/03 Raymond Douglas Always goes above and beyond to help others. 7 Douglas, Raymond Equip Oprtr PW / SW 02/27/03 Kevin Barnes Watchful; called in a suspicious container - saved the City money. 02/27/03 Terry Matthews Good worker; helps out fellow workers; good team player. 8 Enos, Robert Officer PD 03/10/03 Mary DeGeare ~Rec'd letter of appreciation from local business. 9 Haynes, Darnell Asst to CM CM 03/17/03 Rhonda Smiley 'Went out of his way to assist with a recent news conference. 10 Judson, David Tech Supr IT 03/21/03 Janet McCrea Responded quickly to software problem; great customer service. 11 Kennedy, Mike Asst Dir of IT IT 03/21/03 Janet McCrea Responded quickly to software problem; great customer service. 12 King, David Comm Tech II PW / Corem 03/26/03 Mike Kennedy Worked feverishly to complete a project; always willing to help. 13 Massey, Janet Clerk Typist PW / SW 03/17/03 Martha Haslebacher Rec'd recognition from a citizen through Councilmember Maggard. 14 Mojica, Maria HR Clerk HR 03/12/03 Dawn Haven Helped another employee get caught up with large project. 15 Montes, Davina Acct. Clerk I PW / SW 03/10/03 Martha Haslebacher Excellent customer service skills; never hesitates to help out. 16 Negron, Manuel Pk Svcs Crd Rec & Parks 03/26/03 Rodolfo Plaza Demonstrated leadership in recent weeks; assisted Street crews. 17 Offenburger, Angle Acct. Clerk EDCD 03/19/03 Rhonda Smiley Took the initiative to investif)ate a solution to a problem; though not her job. 18 Peery, Sonia Officer PD 03/10/03 Gary Moore Highly motivated; sets a great example; quality work. 19 Perry, Doug Canal Tender Water Res 03/04/03 Don Richardson As acting Supervisor II, has gone the extra mile dealing w/complaints. 20 Peterson, Dave Network Tech IT 03/11/03 Kirk Blair Went above and beyond to complete large project for Fire Dept. 21 Reitz, Linda Clerk Typist PD 03/29/03 Angela Tirado Always willing to work extra time; has a positive attitude; helps co-workers. 22 Reynoso, Mike Pk Svcs Crd Rec & Parks 03/27/03 Rodolfo Plaza Always helpful to Streets; team player. 23 Ringler, Craig Facilty Worker Rec & Parks 03/21/03 Rodolfo Plaza Continuous support and dedication; team player; helps out Streets. 24 Romero, Armando Facilty Worker Rec & Parks 03/21/03 Rodolfo Plaza Dedicated; team player; helps out Streets division. 25 Roper, Jason Facilty Worker Rec & Parks 03/20/03 Rodolfo Plaza Team player; helps out Streets division. 26 Walker, Homer Supr II PW / FS 03/07/02 Kevin Barnes Helped a lot with equipment records. 27 Whisenhunt, Jerry Officer PD 03/10/03 !Mary DeGeare Rec'd letter of appreciation from local business. 28 White, Faye Clerk Typist PD 03/04/03 Hope Edwards Assists Traffic division; goes the extra mile; is an asset to the City. 29 Zamora, Leslie Dispatcher PD 03/20/03 Mary DeGeare Rec'd a letter of appreciation from citizen. B A K E R $ F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM April 4, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ~ SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGN AT KINCADE AND TEXAS STREETS Council Referral #000419 ICouncilmember Carson requested staff look into the need for a traffic sign at the intersection of Kincade and Texas Streets. The Public Works Traffic Engineering staff will investigate the intersection and consider the possible need for additional traffic control signs in the school zone. G:\GROUPDAT~Rcferrals~2003\CC Mtg 03-26\419 - Traffic.doc B A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM April 3, 2003 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager /~ ~' SUBJECT: Paramedic Services Councilmember Carson has requested that the Fire Chief author a memo to the Mayor and City Council on the benefits of providing paramedic services to the community. The memo from Chief Fraze is attached. The City Manager's office would like to add the following comments; 1) There is no doubt that eventually having all Fire personnel be paramedics would be an enhanced service to the community. 2) We are, unfortunately, in the middle of a financial crisis that has caused us to cut 160+ part-time and temporary jobs, and to freeze 50 full-time permanent positions that are vacant. We are in the middle of cutting historically provided services. We will be under a huge cloud and at extreme risk until the legislature adopts its budget, perhaps not until November. Costs referenced in the Chief's memo are short-term and preliminary. True long- and Short-term costs would need to be known before any final decision should be reached. 3) Many of Chief Fraze's assumptions are based on an ability of the City to enter into a contractual relationship with Hall Ambulance, including a variety of financial issues. Our ability to enter into such a contract is currently inhibited by a 1090 conflict with Mayor Hall. 4) Because City Fire crews protect some County areas and County Fire crews protect some City areas within the JPA, there may be issues that would need to be worked out regarding differing levels of service should paramedic level services be provided by City crews. This could necessitate having to make changes to the Joint Powers Agreement. 5) The City Manager's office agrees with the Chief's point that, if the City Council wishes to pursue this matter, an independent consultant needs to be hired who has "extensive exposure" to this issue. Critical among the consultant's assignments would be the full evaluation of long- and short-term costs. Attachment BAKERSFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT M E M O R A N D U M ,,' TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGE_R., FROM: RON FRAZE, FIRE CHIEF DATE: April 3, 2003 SUBJECT: FEASIBILITY OF FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC SERVICES Council Referral No. Ref000406 (Ward 1) Councilmember Carson requested staff provide information as to how the Fire Department ' would take over paramedic services and how it would benefit the community. I The Benefit of Fire Department Paramedics to the Community The Bakersfield Fire Department runs an average of 19,000 calls a year with over 50% of those calls being medical aid related. The department is currently trained at the BLS (Basic Life Support) level and use this limited medical scope of practice to stabilize the patient until paramedics from the local, private provider arrive. This limited scope may consist of administering CPR and/or oxygen, dressing wounds, using an automatic defibrillator, or the BLS advanced airway technique. The patient is then released to the private ambulance provider. The scope of practice for BLS does not allow the department to administer I¥'s or drugs or to provide other advanced life support techniques that could save a life. The delay of any of these types of medical treatments could prove fatal to the patient. If the department were to provide first responder paramedics, it is my opinion, the following results would occur: · The citizens of this community would receive advanced medical care sooner in many cases. The Bakersfield Fire Department's goal is to respond within six minutes 90% of the time while the private paramedic provider's goal is to respond within eight minutes 90% of the time. A two- minute difference can be substantial when working with injured patients. · The City of Bakersfield, along with many other municipalities, is experiencing an emergency room (ER) saturation problem. This problem negatively affects the level of service our citizens receive and adds a financial burden to the local ambulance provider. When the ER's are at saturation, the ambulance companies cannot release their patients; therefore, they cannot return to service to cover a particular area of the city. This, in turn, requires private paramedic ambulances to respond from farther distances and experience delayed response' times. In order to meet their response times, the private ambulance companies are forced to put more paramedic ambulances into service which causes additional financial burden. · Fire Department paramedics would help minimize the ER saturation impact by having the capability to stabilize patients with ALS (Advanced Life Support) techniques until the private provider arrives on scene to transport the patient. This would allow the private provider to extend their response time with no ill effect to the patient. (A win, win situation) Initial Implementation Plan The Bakersfield Fire Department currently has 12 State-certified paramedics. The initial plan would be to staff three of our high-call volume engines with paramedics. These engines would have their medical supplies upgraded in order to provide ALS. The paramedics would be trained at the same level as the private provider, which in turn, would create a seamless operation regarding patient care. Upon successful implementation of the first three engine companies, other firefighters would be trained to the paramedic level, or hire paramedics through attrition. This would expand the program until all engine and truck companies were certified as ALS providers. Dollar Savings and Cost Anytime a program is expanded or added, the possible costs or savings must be examined. In regards to this program, I believe there are definable savings and costs that will come along with its implementation. The following are potential savings and costs: Potential Savinqs for Private Provider · Reduced cost and higher efficiency by sharing one dispatch center This could be accomplished through a contractual agreement between Hall Ambulance, or any other ambulance company, and City/County fire departments. Ambulance companies would pay a fee for our Emergency Communications Center (ECC) to dispatcher their units. This ability was foreseen and has been addressed in the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between City and County fire departments. Furthermore, I believe there is substantial savings to be had in the reduction of ambulance ~ dispatchers, but we have not met with the local ambulance provider to discuss the issue. This potential cost saving does not take into account the investment Hall Ambulance has in their current dispatch center. · Reduced cost by lowering the number of ambulances in service needed to meet current response times set by the City of Bakersfield Hall Ambulance may have response times extended due to firefighter paramedics being on scene within six minutes. Potential Cost for the City Of Bakersfield · Initial cost of equipment and supplies to upgrade current engine and truck companies from BLS to ALS along with the cost of negotiated incentive pay for flreflghters to become paramedics There will be a cost associated with paramedic training and certification. Also, compensation in the form of a per diem or allowance will have to be factored. Preliminary first-year costs of proposal is $200,000 with $50,000 per additional engine company in the future. Costs may be offset by dispatching fees. · Due to the budget crisis and to obtain the true cost and saving potential, I would suggest a Council Workshop by an unbiased professional who has extensive exposure to this issue. (I do not have a cost estimate for this service at this time.) Other Important Facts · Out of our 10 survey cities used by the City of Bakersfield to compare wages and benefits, 80% of these cities provide first responder fire department paramedics. · Establishing a joint partnership between the Bakersfield Fire Department and the private provider would allow the City's costs to be reimbursed by the private provider due to their operating savings. It is common practice in the industry for private ambulance providers to share a percentage of their cost savings with the local fire service they have partnered with by making an annual payment to the fire department. · With the advent of terrorism, or any large incident which would cause a significant number of patients, the number of ALS personnel needed would far surpass the number that could be supplied from the current private provider. · This will take place within the JPA and will require coordination and possible modification of agreements with the Kern County Fire Department. · There currently may be a 1090 conflict with some of these proposals due to Mr. Hall's current position as Mayor. RF/kec P:\memos\Fraze\Councilmember Carson referral 3-14-03 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM April 4, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ~ SUBJECT: RECYCLE PROGRAM ADVERTISING ASSISTANCE Council Referral #000414 Councilmember Benham requested staff follow up with Richard Bean, of the Bakersfield Californian, and his offer to provide free advertising for the recycling program. Staff has contacted Mr. Bean to discuss his offer to provide free advertising for curbside recycling, and is looking forward to working with the Bakersfield Californian. G:\GROUPDAT~ReferralsL2003\CC Mtg 03-26\414 - SW.doc TO: A~N TANDY, CITY MANAGER ~ ~o~ - E~ ,-~, ,, 3 2003 FROM: ERIC W. MATLOCK, CHIEF OF POLIC .,,., , . , ~,. DATE: April 2, 2003 SUBJECT: Graffiti and Loitering at Rally's-Chester Avenue Council Referral No. 000417 (Ward 2) Council Member Benham requested Code Enforcement remove graffiti, trash, etc. from the Rally's building at California and Chester Avenues; Police Depadment to assure that unauthorized persons are not occupying or loitering on the premises. Council Member Benham's request was assigned to the Operations Division. Area officers will provide extra patrol to prevent unauthorized persons from loitering on the premises of the Rally's Building. EWM/vrf CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: (~/{aul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE:~'April 4, 2003 SUBJECT: MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT 1200 BLOCK OF 19TH STREET Staff has assigned the responsibility of cleaning the Municipal Parking Lot to the day shift, Street Cleaning crew. Starting April 7, 2003, the parking lot will be cleaned every Monday morning, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Streets Division personnel will monitor the results and if the parking lot needs additional attention, they will have it cleaned each Monday and Friday of the week. Concerned constituent Curt Dalton was contacted and informed of the measures taken for cleaning the Municipal Parking Lot on 19th Street. Mr. Dalton was satisfied with staff's response. However, Mr. Dalton asked if it were possible to install "NO OVERNIGHT PARKING" signs on the parking lot. Mr. Dalton was told that his request will be reviewed. G:\GROUPDAT~M2003_OityManager~Vlunicipal Parking Lot Cleaning 04-04-03.doc C. Jty CO[~fiCil' ;'Problems~with~d°Wnt°wn parking ............... · From: ~Cc~~ Dcoalutn°;i~.a~kleblr~e~ild~:~'~>cT. <m;ty manager~ici.bakersfield.ca.u, lo: "~'- · ' - ~. ,I/_~-~ <code enforcement~ci.bakersfleld.ca.us> ~ ~ -- ' _ Date Thu, Mar 27, 2003 7'17 PM ' 3:,. -'"' Subject: Problems with downtown pan< g :. // I have had an ongoing problem with the City of Bakersfield regarding the safety of a Municipal 'l~l~rkin~'~ Lo~ located in the 1200 Block of 19th Street. Over the past five years, I have complained to various city employees regarding this issue and at one point I presented my complaints before the City Council. After my appearance before the City Council, the problems I brought forth were corrected but the situation has again deteriorated to the point where I must again elevate this issue to the City Council for action. The businesses East of Chester Avenue seam to be the "bastard children" of the City and the DBA. Pleas for control of panhandlers, drunks, prostitutes and drug dealers seem to fall upon deaf ears. While I laud the City of Bakersfield for the renovation of the Wall Streat Alley, I cannot help but be critical when the other areas of downtown are ignored. Those of us who work downtown every day cannot park on the city streats without moving our vehicles every 90 minutes. If we do not move our vehicles, we are issued a citation, If we park in the City-owned lot, we suffer from fiat tires from the broken glass, the over-powering odor of human excrement, used condoms, contaminated hypodermic needles and offers from the "ladies" and drug pushers that frequent the hotel adjacent to the parking lot. In my last discussion with a city employee, I was told the reason this parking lot was not cleaned on a regular basis is the city employees "didn't feel safe" cleaning this lot. Mr. Mayor and Council Members if this is the case, I would have to assert the Bakersfield City employees who are responsible for cleaning city property either need to schedule regular cleaning during daylight hours or ask the Bakersfield City Police Department for assistance in providing for their safety. As an additional note, the City owned Municipal parking lot is located 2 blocks from the downtown elementary school. While there are policies and procedures in place at the school to prevent children from wandering away from school and into this parking lot, the possibility cannot be discounted. I sincerely believe a photograph is worth a thousand words. For that reason, I have attached several photographs of the conditions of this municipal lot for your review. I have not reduced the size of these photographs in order to show the detail. Should you wish additional information regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me at Distributed to: . 661-396-2029 or you may e-mail me at: / Hasselblad@bak.rr.com Mayor Coun City Mot Sincerely, City Atty Curt Dalton Other Bakersfield, CA By City Clerk Date 341505 f B A K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM April 1, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ~/~~_~ SUBJECT: ALLEY REPAIR Council Referral #000426 I C ouncilmember Maggard requested staff respond to a request by RObert and Cynthia Luke concerning an alley which is in disrepair. The alley between Christmas Tree Lane and Cambridge Drive in the block between Bonaire Street and Silverado Street is scheduled to be resurfaced the week of April 14, 2003. Staff contacted Mrs. Cynthia Luke on March 31,2003, and informed her of the time schedule for resurfacing her alley. Mrs. Luke was satisfied with our response. GSGROUPDAT~Referrals~003\CC Mtg 03-26\426 - Streets.doc DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS DATE: April 1, 2003 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Stan Ford, Director~-"- SUBJECT: TRIMMING OF LIQUID AMBER TREES Ref000427 (WARD 4) Councilmember Couch requested staff contact Lisa Berringer regarding trimming of Liquid Amber trees located on North side of Hageman Road between Carriage Ranch and Patton. Staff contacted Lisa Berringer regarding four (4) Liquid Amber trees that are in the city landscape area which overhangs into her backyard. The trees are dropping seed pods into her swimming pool. Mrs. Berringer requested that the tallest tree of the four trees be pruned because it appeared to be the biggest offender. Staff decided for the sake of efficiency it would prune all four trees at the same time. The pruning of these trees will be scheduled the end of April. Mrs. Berringer was very agreeable to staff's solution to the problem and the timeline. C:\Documents and Settings~sforsyth\Local Settings\Temp\Ref000427.doc April 2, 2003 (11:42AM) CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM April 4, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SUBJECT: SIGNAL AT MAIN PLAZA AND HAGEMAN ROAD Council Referral #000428 ICouncilmember Couch requested staff prepare a status report on the signal at Main Plaza and Hageman Road, and advise of the date of installation. The intersection of Main Plaza Drive and Hageman Road was determined to meet California traffic signal warrants on February 9, 1996. At that time, no traffic controls existed and Main Plaza Road did not connect to State Route 58 on Rosedale Highway. After the connection to Rosedale, multi-way stop control for traffic was installed as an interim measure until traffic signals are funded for the intersection. With the stop control, accidents were reduced or eliminated and the intersection has had no reported accidents in the past year, per the latest available Police Department records. The intersection operation is adequate at this time for the traffic volumes, but the area is experiencing rapid growth. The intersection may need control upgraded to a traffic signal in the next two to three years, or sooner. At this time the intersection is ranked number 27 out of 40 unfunded future signal locations, based on comparative need. No date is set for installation. G:\GROUPDAT~Referrals~2003\CC Mtg 03-26\428 - Traffic.doc B A K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM April 4, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ~ SUBJECT: TRAFFIC AT COFFEE ROAD AND PEANUT Council Referral #000421 Councilmember Couch requested staff contact him regarding need for traffic signage or signal at Coffee Road and Peanut. The intersection of Coffee Road and Peanut Way was evaluated about six months ago. At that time the intersection had only two accidents reported. Traffic volume for the side street of Peanut was only an average of 46 vehicles per hour during the peak eight hour period. The volume warrant for a signal has a threshold of over 140 vehicles for the peak eight hour period to be considered for a signal. The locations did meet one warrant for the single peak hour volume between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. in the morning. The location is not proposed for a traffic signal at this time, but will be evaluated again in about six months for consideration in the next budget period. Another consideration in place of a traffic signal would be to restrict left turns out of Peanut Way with a median restriction, or "worm". This would eliminate most conflicting traffic movements, making traffic flow more efficient on Coffee Road, but will restrict access out of the unincorporated County neighborhood along Peanut Way. This will also be evaluated with the next traffic study. No action is proposed at this time G:\GROUPDAT~ReferralsL2003\CC Mtg 03-26\421 - Traffic. doc APR- 21 2003 B A K E R S F I E L Dt~,~'~,,~,~,~A~.A~Ei.~ ~'-'"'~. CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM April 4, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM:~RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SUBJECT: DAMAGED BRICK WALL AT MAIN PLAZA ROAD Council Referral #000422 Councilmember Couch requested staff repair the brick wall at the west side of Main I Plaza Road. I The damaged block wall is on property that is owned by the NORTHWEST TARGET STORE. Staff will contact by mail the Target Store Manager and make him aware of the store's responsibility for repairs to the wall. G:\GROUPDAT~Referrals~003\CC Mtg 03-26\422 - Brad.doc DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS DATE: April 1, 2003 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Stan Ford, Director ~ SUBJECT: HIGHWAY 99 ENTRY SIGNS CLEANUP Ref000429 (WARD 4) Councilmember Couch requested staff inspect and clean the area at and around the highway 99 entry si~zns. Staff inspects and performs any needed maintenance on the North and South "Welcome Bakersfield" sign areas once every two weeks. Employee's check the irrigation system, rid the interior area of weeds and debris, and clean the exterior fence areas of weeds, debris, tumbleweeds and trash. The north "Welcome Bakersfield" sign area has some mounds of dirt left from the initial construction of the sign on the exterior area. City will remove the mounds of dirt from that particular site. C:\Documents and Settings~forsyth~ocal Settings\Temp\Ref000429.doc April 3, 2003 (2:11 PM) B A K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM April 4, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ~/.,/_~.~~ SUBJECT: SUSAN HAMILTON CURBSlDE RECYCLING E-MAIL Council Referral #000415 Salvaggio requested Kevin Barnes respond to e-mail from Susan Councilmember B. Hamilton regarding the curbside recycling pilot program. Staff has responded to Ms. Hamilton via the following e-mail: Dear Susan, Thank you for your interest and support for curbside recycling. Your efforts and your email indicates a keen understanding of how elected officials must try to provide for the good of the public, and how difficult this can be when different opinions exist. As you know, the City Council has extended the pilot program until July, at which time the service will be offered citywide in phases. Plans are underway to arrange the details of the program. In response to your March 26th email, we offer the following answers to your numbered questions: 1. "What exactly would the monthly fee be if curbside recyclin,q were mandatory in Bakersfield?" Assuming the same style of service as the pilot program, we can roughly estimate the fee to be $3.50 to $4.50 per month for a mandatory program. This is a bit higher than other parts of California, because we can not save the dollar or so on landfill fees under Kern County's flat fee system. If the County would credit each home's 854 pounds of recycling per year at their landfill gate fee of $36 per ton, our voluntary curbside program would save $1.28 per month. Please note that landfill fee savings would be less for mandatory programs, which would recycle less than the 854 pounds per home our voluntary customers did. G:\GROUPDATXReferralsX2003\CC Mtg 03-26\415 - SW.doc 2. "How many tons of solid waste do you anticipate will be diverted from the landfill with the voluntary program you are recommendin.q? And how many tons would be diverted from Kern County landfills if curbside recyclin.q were mandatory?" If we project the pilot program's tonnage and its participation rate of 1 in 10 homes, the citywide voluntary curbside program would divert 2,562 tons per year. A mandatory program would recycle 12,000 tons per year. Mandatory programs typically have a lower average weight per home than voluntary programs. Beyond this question, we should recognize that the City's drop off program recycles about 4,500 tons per year. Combined with the voluntary curbside program at 2,562 tons, and allowing for some of the tonnage to shift from drop off to curbside, the combined recycling efforts would be around 6,000 tons. 3. "How close is Bakersfield to meetinq this 50% tar.qet? What percentaqe of the solid waste stream do you anticipate will be diverted by the voluntary pro.qram? What percentaqe would be diverted by a mandatory curbside recvclinq ~)roqram?" Bakersfield reached the 50 percent recycling target in 2001. The voluntary curbside program will add almost one percent. A mandatory program would recycle about 3 percent, but would also eliminate the drop off centers and absorb their 1 percent, so the net improvement with a mandatory program would be about 2 percent over our current system. 4. "What kind of incentives will be .qiven to .qet more voluntary participation? Will second trash bins be more expensive to obtain than recyclin.q bins?" Promotional incentives carry associated costs, which must be covered by program fees. Due to the majority public opinion against mandatory curbside recycling fees, it is not likely that curbside incentives for some residents would be subsidized by regular refuse collection fees paid by all residents. Thus, incentives may be limited, as we strive to minimize the voluntary recycling fee. Secondary trash carts will probably not be more expensive to obtain than recycling carts, unless the cost of recycling decreases due to high participation or credit on County landfill fees. Secondary trash carts are provided two ways. Residents with gardeners may "trade in" their unused greenwaste cart for a second trash cart, at no extra charge. Or, residents who use their green cart may get a second trash cart for $3.95 per month. While the true cost of the extra trash cart is $6.00 per month, the policy options stated above were established in response to demand by large families. Extra trash carts are used by about 2 percent of homes, which is much less than the 10 percent curbside participation rate. G:\GROUPDAT~Referrals~2003\CC Mtg 03-26\415 - SW.doc 5. "If I lived in Delano, I would be charred $3.00 per month for curbside recycling. This is significantly lower than the $6.25 fee bein.q proposed toni.qht. Is this difference solely due to the fact that curbside recvclinq is mandatory in Delano? Or was the City of Delano able to obtain more competitive bids on their recyclin.q pro.qram? Has the City of Bakersfield sought competitive bids for this pro.qram?" The difference between Bakersfield's and Delano's curbside recycling fee is mainly due to the voluntary nature of Bakersfield's program and its pilot program participation rate. Considering the weight of materials recycled, both cities' programs cost about $180 per ton, which is very typical. We do not have the details of Delano's bid process, but since it included greenwaste service and a reduction of trash service from twice down to once per week, there may be other factors and contract terms to consider. Bakersfield conducted its pilot program in response to the urging of residents who wished to pay necessary service fees. In doing so, the City used its existing contract hauler, who has a long term collection contract. Under case law in California, contract and franchised haulers have rights to perform such collections, unless otherwise agreed to. Thus, the situation did not warrant a bid. 6. "The newspaper reported that the City of Bakersfield is havinq discussions with recovery facilities in Fresno and Los Anqeles to handle its recyclables. Has the cost of pickin.q up those recyclables been part of those discussions, as well?" Yes. This brings up a good point that, after recyclables are collected from curbside, they must then begin a journey to far away places. These may be plastic mills in Texas, or paper mills in China. The net transportation cost is part of what makes recycling cost so much. Dealers in Fresno or Los Angeles are only stopping points along the way. We would like to thank you again for your interest and support. As you can see, recycling is more than meets the eye. It is our goal to be the steward of the public's resources, while respecting their opinions, and you have helped us do that by shaping the voluntary curbside recycling program. We look forward to rolling out this new program. G:\GROUPDAT~ReferralsL2003\CC Mtg 03-26\415 - SW.doc From: <HamiltonCD~aol.com> To: <City_Council@ci.ba~.ersfield.ca.us> 03 HA~ 25 Pi.t 3:59 Date: Wed, Mar 2.6, 2003 3:13 PM Subject: Please print one copy for each City Council Member and May~; .~a.!!~..hja,n_k:..yo~ j ]' ¥ CL EP.i~ To the Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council, This is a letter I was going to read at the Council meeting tonight. Since I don't wish to alienate the haulers, however, I have since had second thoughts, amd will instead hope you take the time to read the following thoughts regarding curbside recycling in Bakersfield. First and foremost, I would like to say, "thank you" to EVERYONE who made the curbside recycling pilot program a reality. I would like to thank the council members who directed staff to research it. t would like to thank Varner Brothers for stepping forward and offering to incur the cost risk of the program. I would like to ti~ank Kevin Barnes and Grog Sanders for coordinating the program. And I would tike to thank Harold Hanson for appearing in the television commercial which filmed on a very hot aflemoor~ last fall. I would especially like to thank my neighbors and friends who signed up for the program, not necessarily because they wanted to, but because I asked them to. It has been quite gratifying to see so many people coming together to give this program a chance to succeed. By voting to expand the volunlary curbside recycling tonight, you will be voting to offer a service long-desired by many people, though, ~ admit, by all means not most. You will also be able to answer those who have no desire to participate and/or pay for the program, it is truly a program that allows the Council (for once) to be the "good guys" to eye,one! I do suppod the proposal before you as an intermediary step for the City of Bakerslield. I do have some concerns about where this program is going, which I would now like to address, but I truly hope that my asking the following questions will in no way take away from the appreciation I sincerely extend to each and every one of you. The truth isl'(~a I don't think we should be patting ourselves on the backs, just yet. #1. It is my understanding that the $6.25 monthly charge is based on voluntary participation rates of somewhere around 10 percent. I also know thai this monthJy charge could be lower if the participation rates were higher. Objective #1 of Strategy #20, on page 49 of the Vision2020 Plan calls for "universal curbside recycling" with "reasonable costs." $0, my first question is, "What exactly would the monthly fee De if curbside recycling were mandatory in Bakersfield?' #2. The newspaper reported that an average of 800 pounds of recyclables were collected from each participant during the past 12 months. That means close to 240 tons of recydables were diverted from landfilis from the 600 households participating this past year. HOw many tons of solid waste do you anticipate will be diverted i'rom the landfill with the voluntary program you are recommending? And how many tons would be diverted from Kern County landfills if curbside recycling were mandatory? #3. SB939 required every community in the State of California to divert 50% or its solid waste stream Dy January of 2000, or face a $10,000 per day fine, ) ..... ._ .... : ............ . ............rs ..... ..,, .~,.y ,~uu,~. iwemuer ano Mayor Hall-Thank. you Page 2 How close is Bakersfield to meeting this 50% target? What percentage of the solid waste stream do you anticipate will be diverted by the voluntary program? What percentage would be diverted ~)y a mandatory curt)side recycling program? #4. What kind of incentives will be giver~ to get more voluntary participation? Will second trash bins be more expensive to obtain than recycling bins? #5. If I lived in Delano, I would be charged $3.00 per month for curbside recycling_ This is significantly lower than the $5.25 fee being proposed tonight, ts this difference solely due to the fact that curbside recycling is mandatory in Delano? Orwas the City of Delano able to obtain more competitive bids on their recycling program? Has the City of Bakersfield sought competitive bids for this program? #6. The newspaper reported that the City of Bakersfield is having discussions with recovery facilities in Fresno and Los Angeles to handle its recyclables. Has the cost of picking up those recyclables been part of those discussions, as well? It is my sincere belief that the current Council has demonstrated tt~e vision, the foresight, the analytical skills and the passion necessary to make Bakersfield the best it can be. I could be wrong, but I also believe that you also have the leadership skills to guide the people you represent down the path that is best for not onJy the current citizens of Bakersfield, but the future ones, as well. It is always uncomfortable to promote additienal "taxes" or "fees" to the people you represent and to the people who vote for you, BUT, not promoting this medium-sized "preventative" program now, could result in a far costlier problem to all Bakersfield residents in the future. Land[ills do not become free of charge once they are filled and closed; landfills must be maintained into perpetuity to guard our water supplies--a critical issue for Valley residents. It is in 311 of our best interests to come up with recycling diversion programs that allow us to make the current landfills last as long as possible. tt is my hope that you will vote "yes" to continue the pilot program, that you will seek definitive answers to these questions and more, and that you will implement the changes necessary to go citywide with a curbside recycling program. Then we can pat ourselves on the backs! Thank you very much. Sincerely, Susan B_ Hamilton ~ ',i ,~,PR-22003 DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS DATE: April 1, 2003 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Stan Ford, Director ~ SUBJECT: TREE MAINTENANCE~ON SO. H STREET MEDIAN Ref000411 (WARD 7 ) Councilmember Salvaggio requested staff inspect the trees on the south "H" street median located between Ming and Wilson Avenues. Some trees need proper pruning and some may have died. Staff inspected the young trees on the south "H" median between Ming and Wilson avenues. All of the trees are in various stages of budding and show they are healthy and well. These young trees are scheduled for their initial structural pruning in early May. C:\Documents and Settings~sforsyth\Local Settings\Temp\Ret000411 .doc April 2, 2003 (11:41AM) ;i f,,PR- 2 2003 DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS DATE: April 1, 2003 TO: Alan Tandy, City Mana FROM: Stan Ford, Director SUBJECT: PLANT TREES "H" . EEN WILSON AND WHITE LANE Ref000412 (WARD 7) Councilmember Salvaggio requested staff plant trees on So. "H" street between Wilson and I White Lane before summer arrives. Staff's review of the project shows there is concrete tree rings to be poured and irrigation lines, heads and clocks to be installed. The final step is the planting of trees and shrubs in the tree wells. This project on So. "H" street between Wilson and White Lane is expected to be completed in early May. C:\Documents and Set~ings~sforsyth\Local Settings\Temp\Ref000412.doc April 2, 2003 (11:41AM)