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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/03 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM June 27, 2003 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information 1. Fire Station #15 is "above ground" now. The steel on the ice rink is also going up. 2. A few weeks ago, I asked if any of you had names for the ice rink that were more creative than "Bakersfield Ice Rink". We have a pretty good name and SMG developed a logo -"Ice Sports Center of Bakersfield", or "Ice Sports" for short. The logo is enclosed. Signs have to be ordered soon and web pages changed. The proposed name has been approved by the Councilmember who has jurisdiction over the ward where the facility is located, so we'd like to go with it, if none of you have strong opposition. 3. An update on the animal control issue: We have a pending 90-day contract with Kern County to provide shelter services. County officials have been very, very good to work with. The costs are such that it is a department contract for us, but a Board of Supervisors' contract for them. It is to be on the Board agenda on Tuesday, July 1st. It turns out that several of our City employees have substantial experience in animal control. Several have volunteered to help out with the transition! What a great response for them to come off their normal jobs to help. We will make sure that suitable recognition will follow later. The Executive Director of the SPCA would not sell or lease the animal control trucks to us. The issue of whether they will sell or lease cat cages is "being negotiated". We are pursuing a possibility that the County will have vehicles available short-term. They will work with us if they do, and we are also shopping for animal control trucks on-line and at auction. The cat cage issue can be overcome - Purchasing is working on it. As I indicated at the Council meeting, no matter how substantial our efforts are, there will be some disruption during the initial transition. We will work to keep that to a minimum. The bigger, longer term positive is that our employees are coming forward to help, the team work on the City transition team is excellent, and we are working very well with Kern County. I' Honorable Mayor and City Council June 27, 2003 Page 2 We are actively looking for shelter and animal control personnel. The SPCA employees who might be interested are our first choice and Human Resources reports they are starting to come in. A more detailed memo from Trudy Slater is enclosed, as well as our initial correspondence to the COunty. We will keep you informed. 4. We opened bids on the White Lane / 99 improvements. The bid award will be on the next Council agenda - this will address a major Council priority! 5. Per the enclosed press release from the State, and as announced during Donna Kunz' presentation at the Council meeting on Wednesday, the Redevelopment Agency will receive $1.75 million from the California Housing Finance Agency's HELP program for a multifamily urban housing project in the Citywalk Village, as a component of our ongoing Housing Urban Bakersfield Plan. A memo with a summary of the project is enclosed. At the Council meeting, copies of a site plan were mentioned. It is also enclosed, but it is only preliminary and will change! 6. On a related note, we received more good news on Thursday from the State Housing and Community Development Division. The City will receive a $314,000 grant for the childrens' playground at Rio Vista Park. The press release from EDCD is enclosed. 7. We had earlier informed you about the Brownfields revolving loan fund grant in the amount of $1 million for hazardous waste clean up projects in the three redevelopment areas. Enclosed is the official notification received from the EPA this week. 8. As announced in media reports during the last week, the State has pulled the VLF trigger. It will be challenged by various groups, as reported in the attached article from the June 21 st edition of the Sacramento Bee. 9. On Thursday, June 26th, the day after the legislative briefing from the Assembly members, we received the attached news alert from the League of Cities on, yet, additional budgetary threats that are being worked on in Sacramento. 10. Development Services has received an application for an adult entertainment establishment at 3301 Buck Owens Blvd. Preliminary information is that it would have a seating capacity of 52 and there would be no retail sales. Staff will review the application for compliance requirements. 11. A memo from Recreation and Parks regarding the latest aquatic safety audit is enclosed. Congratulations to staff for their efforts that resulted in an excellent ranking. Honorable Mayorand City Council June 27, 2003 Page 3 12. Responses to Council inquiries are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Carson · In response to a Council request, Chief Fraze has prepared a comprehensive report on the effects and adjustments involved with closing two squad stations in order to staff a truck company at the new southwest fire station. Councilmember Couch · Supplemental information on the costs and funding for a light rail system, referencing the system in San Diego; Councilmember Sullivan · Code enforcement actions at 4001 Ming Avenue (former Zody's building). AT:rs cc: Department Heads Pam McCarthy, City Clerk Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst BAKERSFIELD Alan Tandy · City Manager' June 25,2003 Dave Price, Director Kern County Resource Management 2700 M Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Dave; Please accept the thanks of the City of Bakersfield for the time you and your staff took to meet with the City delegation on June 19th and again on June 24th with regard to animal control functions. We are very impressed with the quality and professionalism displayed by your staff, as well as the quality of your shelter and the services you provide. We are further impressed with the potential benefits that our taxpayers might potentially experience in terms of more convenience, efficiency, and consistent services if we could reach an agreement on service consolidation. We would like to formally request your assistance short, term and thoughtful cooperation in exploring the longer term consolidation issues. As you know, the decision by the SPCA not to renew their contract with us comes very close to contract expiration. The $1 per year long-term land lease the City has provided you for your shelter contains a section indicating you will provide space for City animals. Short term, we would like to request assistance along that line. We also do not want to impose a hardship on the County. We can reimburse you for added costs, or provide staff and an indemnification agreement to cover the costs. Because our need is short term, we hope a way can be found to do this promptly, without the time frames often caused by the bureaucracy. City of Bakersfield · City Manager's Office · 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California · 93301 (661) 326-3751 ° Fax (661) 324-1850 Dave Price June 25, 2003 Page 2 Longer term, we would like to study with you the various aspects of service . consolidation and the potential to' better serve our constituents and the metro Bakersfield area. If you are willing, I suggest that we form a study group and start meetings immediately. The short term nature of our SPCA contract expiration has created a service delivery problem for us. Anything you can do to help us will be appreciated. Long term, it appears that the situation has created a service improvement opportunity for both of us. Let us hope we can take advantage of it. ' Sincerely, City Manager / cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council Eric Matlock, Police Chief Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst Raul Rojas, Public Works Director Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager Bob Trammell - Director of Information Technology Greg Klimko, Finance Director Carroll Hayden, Human Resources Manager Rhonda Smiley, Office Administrator - Public Relations Bart Thiltgen, City Attorney Steve McCalley, Director- Kern County Environmental Health B A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and City Coun/e~~~ June 25, 2003 /~/ ~ FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager// / SUBJECT: Thanks to Kern County J The County .of Kern - specifically. Dave Price, Resource Management Director, Steve McCalley, Environmental Health Director, and Matt Constantine of Animal Control, have been very good to work with on the subject of animal control cooperation. We have discussed with them the outline of an agreement under which we would obtain use of an otherwise unused portion of the County .shelter. That agreement is being drafted as we speak. It has the potential to assure services at the level of care given to all animals in their shelter at a fair price. A team of City employees that toured their facility on June 24th gave it high marks for professionalism and quality of care. The referenced County staff have also agreed to enter into discussions on longer term issues of service consolidation, efficiency improvement and consistency of regulations. We have some short-term "bumps in the road" on animal control due to the-impending expiration date of the SPCA agreement. It is, however, both rewarding and a positive challenge to find such exceptional cooperation from Kern County officials. cc: Eric Matlock, Police Chief Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst Raul Rojas, Public Works Director Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager Bob Trammell - Director of Information Technology Greg Klimko, Finance Director Carroll Hayden, Human Resources Manager Rhonda Smiley, Office Administrator- Public Relations Bart Thiltgen, City Attorney Steve McCalley, Director- Kern County Environmental Health B A K .E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM June 27, 2003 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager /~/~ / FROM: Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst III SUBJECT: Animal Control Transition The transition team is working rapidly to achieve a smooth transition of animal control services to the City. They have met daily in group meetings and have worked individually on separate tasks. The SPCA has been asked to help us and has indicated the availability of 25 used cat cages. I have asked the County to contact the SPCA's kennel manager to ascertain if these cages are acceptable to the County. I expect an answer shortly. In the interim, other alternatives are being explored. Some of the SPCA's employees have submitted applications for employment through the City. Human Resources is working with the SPCA to facilitate this exchange. There is a possibility of group meetings outside normal working hours with SPCA employees which Will assist in this. A proposed three-month contract with the County is being reviewed by City staff (having already passed through County Counsel) and final wording is being ironed out. The contract has been placed on the Tuesday, July 1, Board of Supervisors agenda as an emergency item. City staff will attend that meeting. Issues relating to animal care personnel at the County continue to be resolved as well as those relating to animal control. Some issues are addressed within the proposed contract with the County. In addition, the very real possibility exists for a contractual arrangement with the County relating to two animal control trucks and the City is on the trail of a surplus animal control vehicle from another City. The County has been very helpful in working with the City during this transition period. Many issues remain to be ironed out in the short and long term. City staff members are once again showing they can meet and handle anything that comes along. I feel certain we can handle the issues that have currently been identified and others that may arise. The end product is, as always, to provide the best possible services to the members of our community. P:V~%M0306272-Animal Control Transition RECEIVED: 6/25/03 8:4OAIVl; ->CITY OF BAKERSFIELD.; #60; PAGE 2 . l~'ess+Release Page I of 2 Please click here to return to the previous Da;e. Press Room OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PR03:265 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 0612412003 GOVERNOR DAVIS ANNOUNCES HELP PROGRAM REACHES $100 MILLION GOAL 06124/2003 SACRAMENTO Governor Gray Davis today announced that the Housing Enabled by Local Partnerships (HELP) Program has reached its $100 million f'we-year business plan goal. HELP is California Housing Finance Agency's (CalHFA) award-winning program, that partners with California cities, counties, housing authorities, redevelopment agencies, community development commissions and others to address unmet affordable housing needs as determined by each participating locality. "The HELP program assists many Californian's in obtaining much needed affordable housing," Governor Davis said. 'q'o sustain California's remarkable growth, we must increase the supply of affordable housing for working families. This program shows us what we can achieve when we work together." The $100 million lent to date will facilitate the financing of over 11,000 single family and multifamily homes for Californians with Iow to moderate incomes. This particular round of commitments is expected to finance approximately 2,700 housing units. The State program's ambitious $100 million goal was achieved through a recent round of commitments to 17 California local government entities. CalHFA committed $16.1 million in loans to the following entities: Local Government Entity Commitment Anaheim Housing Authority $1 ,$00,000 Apple Valley Redevelopment Agency 250,000 ~-. Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency 1,750,000 Concord Redevelopment Agency 1,000,000 Escondido Community Development Commission 1,850,000 Gonzales Redevelopment Agency 500,000 City of Livermore 450,000 Mono County 60,000 Monterey County Housing Authority 700,000 Monterey County Redevelopment Agency 900,000 Morgan Hill Redevelopment Agency 900,000 City of Pleasanton 450,000 San Diego Housing Commission 1,664,000 San Mateo City Redevelopment Agency 1,200,000 Santa Paula Housing Authority 650,000 Union City Redevelopment Agency 1,300,000 Ventura County Area Housing Authorily 650,000 These commitments will result in 10-year loans to local government entities that will be repaid at three percent interest. "The HELP program illustrates that, through innovative CalHFA lending and local governments' desire to create affordable http://www~g~vem~r~ca~g~v~/state/g~vsit~/g~v-htm~print.jsp ?B V-Sessi~n~D=~~ ~ 68 ~ 879~ 6/25/2003 RECETVED: 6/25/03 8:41AM.; ->CTTy OF BAKERSF'rELD; #60.; PAGE 3 .~ ~ess+Release Page 2 of 2 housin9 opportunities, shared goals can be achieved," said CalHFA's Executive Director, Theresa Parker. CalHFA - the State's affordable housing bank - was chartered 27 years ago to assist Californians to achieve the dream of safe, affordable and decent housing. Additional information on the full complement of CalHFA programs can be obtained by calling 1.800.789.2432 or visiting the web site at. Back to Top of Paqe Please click here to return to the _=reviou$ http://www~g~v~rn~r~ca~g~v~/state/g~vsite/g~v-htmlp~nt.jsp?B V-Sessi~nID=~``(~``l 6$ ~ ~7!~ 6/25/2003 Economic and CommuniW Development Depa~meh'{ MEMORANDUM FROM: Donna k. Kurtz, ficonomic Development Director 8~BJfiCI: CityWalk Sito Map and ~roioct ~ousin~ Financin~ ~pdato Several months ago the Redevelopment Agency authorized EDCD staff to submit a financing application to the California Housing Finance Authority (CalHFA) in the amount of $2,000,000 to assist in filling a $3,000,000 financing gap identified in the development of 160-200 urban family apartments in downtown Bakersfield called CityWalk. The project is physically located in the Southeast Redevelopment Project Area. The urban housing project was a concept from an earlier staff plan of Housing Urban Bakersfield - HUB, designed to attract a mix of housing products and a mix of resident incomes back to the downtown urban area near major transportation centers - Amtrak. Staff recently received notification that CalHFA approved a loan commitment of $1,750,000 for the CityWalk project. Staff has been negotiating with Mr. Olmsheid and Mr. Sivers on this project for the past several months in anticipation of obtaining affordable housing financing from several sources; CalHFA, 'HOME, AHP funds and commercial financing. The project is planned to include a mix of housing product and income levels served. Of the units in the development, 50 will be reserved for families at 50% of median income and 110 units will be reserved for families at 80% of median income. Any units developed over 160 units will be market rate. The loan the Redevelopment Agency received from CalHFA is a 10 year, 3% simple interest loan. The first payment will be due in 12 months from the funding and will be amortized over nine years with payments of $231,502.03. Funds for the repayment will come from the Southeast Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund and a small portion from Southeast Tax Increment. The housing projeCt is expected to be valued at $15.5 million dollars. The urban housing will be located near the canal and P Street and near M &N, and California streets. Centered between the two CityWalk housing complexes, a new commercial center is also under planning and development by Mr. Olmsheid and Mr. Sivers. An early site map was developed for "talking" purposes when discussing the project with CalHFA and lenders. However, it is important to note that staff is exploring parking alternatives for both of the projects which may incorporate a garage into the commercial project allowing for a much more urban style design for the housing and an increase in commercial density. The "talking site map" is attached to this C:~Documents and Settings~dkunz~Desktop~ClTYWALKINFO.doc memorandum for your information. A development and disposition agreement between the Redevelopment Agency and the developer will be created for the CalHFA financial assistance and a City HOME agreement will be created for the HOME financial assistance required for the two housing projects. The projects will be developed in phases, with the HOME funded M, N, and California, 60 -100 unit housing complex to be the first under construction this winter. C:~Documents and Settings~dkunz~Desktop~ClTYWALKINFO.doc ATTACHMENT B Citywalk Summary > 18 acre mixed use urban development to include public recreation, entertainment, restaurants, retail and.!6.0 un?..o.f.urban style family apartments located south of the 3.5 acre new aquancace mc~l~t~es, between California Ave. N street and the canal in the Southeast Redevelopment Project Area. ~' Includes commercial development valued at $35.-$40 million and housing · · development valued at $15.6 mflhon, estxmated new annual net tax increment for the entire new development expected to be generated to the RDA for the Southeast Redevelopment Project Area is $469,973· The housing development will include 55 units reserved for families at 50% or below median income, 85 units reserved for families at 80% or below median ~ncome and 20 market rate units. A total of 160 family units will be constructed. Housing development requires $3 million dollars of public financial assistance. Funds will be used for land ac. quisition/clearance. $2,500,000 and related development costs - $500,000· Sources of public financial assistance required for gap financial assistance to the project based on the development performa. $1,250,000 fi.om FY 02/03 and 03/04 HOME funds and available HOME Program Income-.Funds available July 1, 2003. $1,750,000 fi.om CalHFA "HELP" loan, a 3% simple interest loan due in 9 installment payments to CalHFA of $231,502.03. City RDA application has been approved by CalHFA. Funds available August 2003. °:' Sources identified to repay the CalHFA "HELP" loan of $1,750,000 - A total of $262,423.68 of Southeast Redevelopment Project Area Low and Moderate Housing Funds available as of July 1, 2004.. $231,502.03 is required for first payment installment to CalHFA in FY 04/05. Southeast is currently generating $400,000 of net general tax increment of which $80,000 of it is required to be set aside for low and moderate housing. Annual allocation of $197,493 of which $80,000 is fi.om current increment and $117,493 fi.om anticipated new project generated Southeast Redevelopment Low and Moderate 20% Set Aside housing funds for a period of eight years (8) beginning in FY 05/06 and an annual allocation of $34,009.03 fi.om anticipated new project generated Southeast Redevelopment operating tax increment funds for a period of eight years (8) beginning in FY 05/06. From the City of Bakersfield June 26, 2003 For Immediate Release Contact: Donna L. Kunz Stan Ford Economic Development Director Recreation & Parks Director City of Bakersfield City of Bakersfield (661) 326-3765 (661) 326-3866 City receives State Grant of $314,822 for Children's Playground at New Park The City of Bakersfield has been chosen to receive a $314,822 grant from the State Housing and Community Development through the Jobs-Housing Balance Incentive Grant Program. The funds will be used to develop a Children's Playground at Rio Vista Park, the City's newest regional park. The State grant program was established under Proposition 46, the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act. The program's goal is to award cities meeting the need for housing in high job growth areas. The City of Bakersfield qualified to apply for the grant funds, due to the fact it is in a moderate job growth area and had over a 12% increase in housing permits during the year 2001. The grant funds were required to be designated to assist in the construction of community facilities that benefit the general population. The City selected the funds to be used in the construction of the Rio Vista Park Children's Playground. City of Bakersfield - Press Release City Awarded State Funds June 26, 2003 Page 2 Rio Vista Complex is a master planned 100 acre regional facility with amenities to serve the entire city. The park is located at the southeast corner of Stockdale Highway and the Kern River. Planned park amenities include: A children's playground (for which the grant funds were received), two small lakes, amphitheater, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, and walking trails with exercise stations. Rio Vista Park improvements will be completed in phases over a number of years. Currently, the park site has been rough graded with utility infrastructure improvements installed. Construction design documents are now being finalized. The City anticipates that construction of the children's playground will be initiated in 2004. "The City continues to grow economically, with new jobs being created every year. Combined with our affordable housing, people are buying new homes at a record pace. This state grant will assist the City in building Rio Vista Park for the entire community to enjoy. During these difficult budget times, I appreciate City staff efforts in searching for grant opportunities and other funding sources to benefit our citizens," said Councilmember David Couch. CouCh represents Ward Four, where the park will be located.' For more information, please contact Donna Kunz at (661) 326-3765 or Stan Ford at (661) 326-3866. S:\CHARLES\EDCD-Webb-Jobs Housing Press Rel grant award-060203.DOC UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 6 003 OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE Alan Tandy, Executive Director Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency _ _ . 1501 Truxton Avenue ..... _ ~. Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mr. Tandy: On behalf of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), I am pleased to congratulate you and confirm that the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency has been selected as one of the entities with whom EPA will pursue negotiations to award a cooperative agreement for a revolving loan fund grant. The Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency submitted an outstanding proposal, and we deeply appreciate the tremendous commitment of time and energy that went into its preparation. Through the new Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, signed by President Bush on January 11, 2002, EPA is working to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize Brownfields sites. We fully expect that these Brownfields.projects will provide benefits to the environment and economy of local communities. Jim Hanson, your region's Brownfields Coordinator (415-972-3188), will be working closely with the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency to negotiate a cooperative agreement and respond to its needs. We look forward to working with your staff on the Brownfields program in a new era of Federal, state, and local government cooperation. ' - - - - Sincerely yours ........ Marianne Lamont Horinko Assistant Administrator cc: Jim Hanson . . ':..; .; Intemet Address (URL) · http://www.epa.gov Recycled/Recyclable · Pdnted with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 30% Postconsumer Brownfields 2003 Grant Fact Sheet Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency, CA EPA*Brownfields;Prog ram ....... EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu- nities, and other stakeholders in economic development to work tOgether to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small BUsiness Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the Brownfields Law, EPA provides financial assistance to .eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a seParate mechanism. Community Description The Bakersfield RedevelOpment Agency was selected to redeiv~ a revolving loan fund grant. The agency will use grant funds to clean up brownfields within the City of Bakersfield (population 257,900). The city's South- east Bakersfield, Old Town Kern-Pioneer, and Down- town redevelopment project areas will be targeted for grant funds. Hazardous substances, underground ' petroleum tanks, and asbestos releases are prevalent among the old motels, automotive-related, and industrial field redevelopment project areas is estimated to be properties in Bakersfield's older commercial core. over 20 percent and poverty rates are as high as 40 With new growth spreading to undeveloped areas percent. Most of the 'residents in these areas are outside the city, the economic vitality of these older minorities. The revolving loan fund will promote the areas has rapidly declined. Approximately 24,000 reuse of brownfields in these blighted areas, reduce people live in the targeted areas, many of whom are economic and physical blight, and improve the eeo- economically disadvantaged. 'The unemployment rate nomic well-being 0fthe community and its residents. in the Old Town Kern-Pioneer and Southeast Bakers- Solid Waste and EPA 500-F-03-050 Emergency Response June 2003 (5105T) www.epa.govfo rownfields This story is taken from politics at sacbee.com. Cost to license vehicles soars By Alexa H. Bluth -- Bee Capitol Bureau - (Published Sune 21~ 2003) Declaring that California is running on fiscal fumes, state finance officials "pulled the trigger" Friday to raise the vehicle license fee for at least a year to ease a staggering budget deficit. "California is broke," said Steve Peace, director of Gov. Gray Davis' finance department. "This is the first time that we've been in a position where we actually have none of our own money. We are operating as of today totally on borrowed cash." The long-awaited increase prompted Republicans to launch a campaign to abolish the fee, taxpayer groups to promise court challenges, and the Department of Motor Vehicles to prepare for mass confusion as drivers learn of the fee hikes and attempt to determine whether it applies to them. The move means that California drivers whose vehicle registration expires on Oct. 1 and thereafter will pay triple the fees drivers now pay, or an average $:L60 more per car, officials said. The department will begin mailing out bills that reflect the higher fees in August -- 60 days before registration renewals come due. Paying early, officials stressed, will not get drivers off the hook. "Even if they pay the fee early that's due in October, they will be assessed a higher rate," said Ken Niyao, DMV's deputy director for vehicle registration. Officials also cautioned residents against flocking to neighborhood DMV branches to try to beat the hike. "Nothing will be served by showing up at a DMV office and attempting to pay those fees early," said Bill Cather, DklV's legislative director. "The lines are plenty long already." The triggering of the politically unpoPular fee hike comes as lawmakers are locked in a battle over a state budget plan with z0 days left before the start of the new fiscal year. Advocates for cities and counties cheered the fee increase because the revenues from the annual charge on vehicles registered in California are distributed to cities and counties. "Vehicle license fees contribute significantly to city and county budgets -- and play a particularly important role in providing public safety services," according to a statement issued Friday by a coalition of local government groups. Others, including taxpayer advocates and Republican lawmakers, blasted the increase. "It's a horribly regressive and unnecessary tax," said ,]on Coupal, president of the Howard .]arvis Taxpayers Association, which plans to file a lawsuit challenging the fee hike. "It is a tax that hits Iow-and middle-income Californians the hardest." State Sen. Tom NcClintock, R-Simi Valley, immediately submitted paperwork to begin collecting signatures for a pair of ballot measures to wipe out the tax hike. One measure would change state law to set the tax permanently at $1 per year. The other would change the state's constitution to abolish the tax. Fr~-~lay's. action follows months of speculation when, or if, Davis' finance staff would determine that the state's fiscal woes dictated an increase in the fee. The 1998 budget signed by Republican Gov. Pete Wilson phased in a gradual lowering of the license fee, but it · included a provision allowing it to be restored if the state has "insufficient moneys." With the state facing its deepest-ever shortfall, Davis built his May budget around the assumption that the fee hike would infuse $4 billion into a state treasury facing a $38 billion deficit. As of 9 a.m. Friday, when a large payment to state investors came due and after a series of tests of the state's fiscal fortitude, Peace, the state finance director, made the call that n° one in California government seemed to want to make. "The law is the law is the law," Peace said, announcing the increase to a roomful of reporters from Los Angeles via speakerphone. "I'm compelled to follow the law whether the Legislature likes it or the governor likes it or anybody else." The law directs the state controller in times of "insufficient moneys" to transfer funds from the state's main budget into the Department of Motor Vehicle account used to repay cities and counties for the lost revenue. If there is not enough to repay local governments, the law says, the fee is automatically adjusted. Peace and state Controller Steve Westly haVe said that a recent $11 billion loan secured by state officials will last only until August and that the state will be unable to pay its bills unless lawmakers have approved a budget. Westly, who also has sought to distance himself from the decision to raise the car fee, agreed that the state's cash shortage meets the threshold. "If this doesn't meet anybody's test of insufficient money," he said, "God knows what would.'' About the Writer The Bee's Alexa H. Bluth can be reached at (916) 326-5542 or ~b!w~h@.s.~.~;t~_.e_e.,..~;...o_._.m_. Go to: S_acbee / B_i~._c...k_.!;~....~t_.o_.~/ Contact Us/Feedback I Privacy Policy I Terms of Use News I ~P.O~S I Business I Politics I C~p.inio~ I Entertainment I I-ifesty!e I Travel I Women Ca~ I _C...!.a.~.sJfi.ed~ I Homes I .1Qb~ I Yellow Pages_ Help I Newsletters I Site Map I Subscribe to the Print Edition I Traffic I Weather I Wireless Delivery Ab.ou.:t...LI.s I Advertise. in The Bee I Adv. ertise...Q.nline I Contact CirCulation Customer Service I Events Sacramento Bee Web sites ] Sacbee.com I SacTicket.com I Sacramento.corn This article is protected by copyright and should not be printed or distributed for anything except personal use. The Sacramento Bee, 2100 Q St., P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852 Phone: (916) 321-1000 Copyright © The Sacramento Bee / ver. 4 League of California Cities " "' 1400 K Street, Suite 400 · Sacramento, California 95814 Phone: (916) 658-8200 Fax: (916) 658-8240 vmJw.caciti~ Page 1 of 1 TO: Mayors, Council Members and City Managers FROM: Chris McKenzie, Executive Director Dwight Stenbakken, Legislative Director RE: Possible Assembl Bud et Pro osal Also Could Contain Si niflcant Cuts to Local Governments Over Three Years_ From a variety of sources (including meetings by city officials with state assembly members over the last few days) we have begun to put together some of the details on a budget proposal that may be offered in the Assembly as early as tomorrow (Thursday) or the next day. We have not been told anything definitive as of yet by the Assembly leadership or staff, but the elements may include the following: · Local government reductions (possibly for three years), including the following: o $250 million reduction from cities (per capita allocation) o $250 million reduction from counties (per capita allocation) o $100 million reduction from RI)As to ERAF (same formula as the current year reduction) o Possible programmatic cuts to COPS, Juvenile Justice, Booking Fees and other programs are unclear. o We have heard from a reliable staff source that the plan would fund the VLF backfill as the VLF increase is phased-in (they've accounted for $700 million cost). If the backfill is eliminated it would add costs to cities and counties. o Deferral, suspension or repeal of various unfunded mandate payments · New revenues include the tA cent sales tax for deficit reduction bonds and an increase in the Personal Income Tax rates (as proposed by the Governor in January). As soon as we have concrete details abont the proposal, we will share them with you and post any individual city analysis on our website, __ww_.w.__c_a..c~t.i_e_s.o___r.g. We want to stress that the League has not agreed to support any state budget. In fact, by board and General Assembly action, our support is completely conditioned upon the legislature offering a constitutional amendment to protect local government revenues--something n._9_o Assembly Member has indicated strong support for over the last few days of meetings. ? I JUN262003 ~._.~~...._ ~ c :',:' ~; ','~ ,'~,7'7-, .,7,, '~ :,': .... B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: June 25, 2003 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Stan Ford, Director of Recreation and Parks Subject: Aquatic Safety Audit Last week we had our first operational safety audit of the swimming pools for 2003. Audits are conducted by the international aquatic risk management firm of Jeff Ellis and Associates (E&A). E&A staff evaluate us in a variety of areas including: lifeguarding skills, emergency procedures, condition of the facility, and administration. I am pleased to inform you that our staff earned the highest possible score of "exceeds standards." This converts to a numerical score of 95-100 out of 100. Nine of the ten lifeguards tested received perfect scores of 100. We also earned excellent marks for our handling of spinal injuries, extrication, blood-borne pathogens, and CPR. This performance is a result of a well planned and organized effort by our staff headed by Holly Larson, supervisor, and Josh Romine, recreation specialist. We also are fortunate to have several excellent temporary employees assisting our regular staff. P:Ntandy memo.doc 4:48 PM JUN ~', 9 2003 K E R S F I E L D C~TY~.~A~.,~<:!:~,.....,~ .~ ~, .~ . FIRE DEPARTMENT M E M ORA N D U.M Date: June 17, 2003 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Ron Fraze, Fire Chief '/V~ Subject: Effects of closing two squads in or(' e/l~r to open a truck company What effect will closing two squads in order to open a truck company have on the community served by the Bakersfield Fire Department? Background and significances The BFD currently operates twelve fire stations with a daily minimum~staffing of fifty one (51) suppression personnel. The Department operates twelve engine companies, two truck companies and four squads. Daily staffing consists of three person engine companies (with the exception of Engine 9), four person truck companies and one person squads. Squads respond with various engine companies in support of the engine with the intent of providing a fourth person on the initial attack engine company. As a metropolitan fire department, the primary objective on the scene of an emergency is to protect life and property. In order to accomplish the goal, the Department will make a concerted effort to confine the fire to the room of origin. The Department is staffed and organized under the concept of a division of labor on the fire ground. Engine companies are staffed and equipped to provide the initial attack hose line on the fire, truck companies are staffed and equipped to provide the vital support functions that must precede or accompany an interior attack. The support functions addressed by truck companies include: Search and rescue operations: Actively searching for and removing victims from the involved structure. · Ventilation operations: Ventilation operations involve removing or re-directing the super heated gases and products of combustion (smoke) from the involved structure thereby enhancing the visibility of the attack crews and search teams, reducing the likelihood of a flash-over, and increasing the survivability of the victims trapped inside the structure. · Forcible entry: Often times it is necessary for the units on scene to force open a door to the structure in order to access the fire, this operation must precede the attack crews, as engine crews are deploying their attack lines, truck company members are used to gain entry. · Utility control: Securing utilities is an important safety function that often falls to the truck company. Utility control basically involves shutting off the electricity and natural gas to the structure. · Salvage and overhaul: Salvage involves taking measures to protect property from the effects of a fire. Crews will remove items to a safe location and/or use canvas tarps to cover furniture and other large items left in place in the building. Overhaul is a lengthy and time consuming process where crews search out and extinguish all hidden fire within the structure. Squads are staffed with a single engineer and respond as a part of an engine company. The squad concept evolved over a period of time, with the original idea being that a single squad would service two engine companies, thereby bringing staffing levels of all engines above three personnel for Insurance Service Office (ISO) purposes. Squads respond primarily to fires and rescue calls. The current generation of squads are very versatile and are designed to function effectively in a number of roles, the limiting factor with a squad is and always will be its' staffing of a single engineer. All the squads are equipped with a small combination hydraulic rescue tool that serves as a complement to the larger tools carried on the truck companies. The squads carry a variety of pre-connected attack lines that are typically used on small nuisance type fires, while the vehicle maintains the capability of deploying 1 lA" or 1 ¼" attack lines if the need arises. It has been well over thirty years since the last squad was put into service. In the mean time, the department has grown from eight stations to twelve, with another station due to open in January 2004. In the same thirty year time frame the Department lost a track company and reduced its' number of truck companies from three to the current deployment of two. Fire fighter/Public Safety In 1998 OSHA implemented an up-dated version of its standard 1910, which included the "two-in/two-out" rule for fire fighters. In a nut shell, the 2-in/2-out rule prohibits fire fighters from entering an environment that is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) with fewer than four members on scene. Operationally this means that if a fire is beyond the incipient stage, the Department must first have at least four members on scene prior to initiating interior fire fighting operations. Conceptually, two fire fighters are to enter the involved structure and the other two are to remain outside of the structure to provide a measure of safety for the team on the interior. This is an overly simplistic outline of the ruling; however, ! feel that it will serve the purpose of this paper. OSHA 1910 does not limit the Department from taking action with less then four members on scene in the case of a rescue. It was about the time that 1910 came into effect that the Department moved a couple of the squads and hired a fourth member for Station 9 in an effort to better meet the requirements of the OSHA standard. The next consideration in regards to the OSHA standard would be, "Do we consistently meet the standard?" A report for all the structure fires for the year 2002 was printed and we manually went through each call to determine what percentage of the time the Department arrived on scene of a structure fire with less then four members. After going over the print out, we came up with 234 incidents that served the purpose of the poll, it was necessary to eliminate some duplication of reports, incomplete reports and cases where we responded to Kern County Fire Department incidents. The outcome of the poll was that 61% of the time, the Department arrives on scene with fewer than four members. I believe this demonstrates the fact that the Department routinely initiates operations without having four members on scene. This is not to say that the Department routinely violates the OSHA standard, what I am getting at is that once you factor in the issue of "reflex time", more then the required fourth member is routinely on scene. Reflex time typically includes how long it takes to make a "size-up" of the incident, give a report on conditions over the air and deploy the attack line. On average the second company arrives on scene between two and three minutes after the initial attack engine which corresponds well with the time it takes the first- in engine to set up and deploy an attack line. The National Fire Protection Association has established a consensus standard that deals directly with the issue of staffing. It is my belief that NFPA 1710 is a much more relevant document when you are comparing the value of a couple of squads to the value of a truck company. NFPA 1710 sets the minimum standard for staffing a company at four members. By doing so, it removes the problem of a company arriving on scene with less than four members, more importantly, it would significantly enhance the Department's emergency operations by providing the engine captain with the number of fire fighters it takes to deploy an attack line effectively and still function as a supervisor on the fire ground. The 1710 standard also sets the minimum number of fire fighters that are required on the first alarm to successfully employ a safe and effective attack at 17 to 19 firefighters, depending on whether or not the aerial ladder is used. Currently, the Department deploys between 14 and 16 firefighters on the first alarm. Working within the JPA, the Kern County Fire Department has agreed to our concept of adding a second truck company to the first alarm assignment for a "working" structure fire. The addition of the truck company to our department will allow us to meet or exceed the requirements of 1710 for a first alarm assignment there by enhancing fire fighter safety on the fireground. The national standard ratio of truck companies to engine companies is one truck to three engines (1:3). The Department currently operates at a less then effective ratio of 1:6. What this means is that in order to augment the resources on an incident, it is necessary to respond a disproportionate number of engine companies to meet the needs of the incident, which in turn draws down coverage throughout the City or Metro Area. The addition of Truck 15 (T-15) will provide a number of expanded capabilities to the Department and will truly serve the entire City of Bakersfield. · Fire fighter safety/public safety: The addition of T-15 will allow the Department to add a second Truck to the first alarm assignment, providing a focused company in regards to the Rapid Intervention function, the addition of another company will also allow the Incident Commander a number of options that currently are not available. By finally meeting NFPA 1710 in regards to staffing of a first alarm the Incident Commander will be able to meet the demands of the majority of structure fires without drawing down anymore areas of town. · Hazardous Materials Response Team: The FIRESCOPE standard for a Haz/Mat team is five (5) members. The BFD has operated with three (3) members since its inception; consequently, the BFD has had to rely on KCFD in order to make the most basic entry at the scene of a hazardous materials incident. With the addition of T-15, and by moving the Haz/Mat Team to Station 15 (as planned), the BFD will finally meet or exceed the minimum number required by FIRESCOPE and will be able to operate as a stand alone Haz/Mat Team. Without T-15, the Haz/Mat program will continue to operate at a substandard level. · Task Force: The addition of another Task Force will enhance the Department's rescue capabilities by allowing us to deploy another "rescue company". The BFD operates no specialized rescue vehicle, the department has made an effort to fill this void by equipping the truck companies to meet the requirements for Type-III or "light" rescue capabilities as established by CAL Office of Emergency Services and FIRESCOPE. A Task Force consists of an engine company and its associated truck company and the corresponding staffing of at least seven (7) trained rescue personnel. By training together on technical rescue operations the Task Force becomes a valuable specialized resource capable of responding as a unit and operating together effectively. It is the intention of the BFD to provide all the Task Forces within the Metro or JPA area specialized training in regards to fire fighter down or trapped fire fighter scenarios, with the idea that the emergency procedures for a trapped or down fire fighter will include dispatching an additional Task Force as soon as a report of a trapped fire fighter is received at ECC. Conclusion I have been instructed, due to budget restrictions, to prioritize my needs city-wide. The un- staffing of Squad 8 and Squad 13 is by far not my first choice and will force an adjustment in the response cards and the way the squads are utilized. However, I intend to keep these two squads as un-staffed front-line equipment. They will stay in their assigned stations with the capability to be crossed staffed by engine company personnel should the need arise for additional squads on a grass fire or mutual aid assignment. The remaining two squads will continue responding with their associated engines to fires, rescue calls and grass fires in pre-designated areas. Station 5 has the highest call volume in the City and has a large and somewhat remote area to protect so they will retain Squad 5 in order to have a fourth person available to satisfy 2-in/2-out issues in its' response area. Station 1 will also retain a squad to cross staff the Light/Air Unit which responds to all major emergencies. Furthermore, they will have the capability of responding to Station 10's area in a timely manner to assist during the grass fire season. These are tough times and demand tough decisions. When considering the lack of truck companies available in the Metro Area and the corresponding loss of capability, there is no question in my mind, that staffing Truck 15 has to be the priority. Please contact me for any further clarification. CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM June 23, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR~ SUBJECT: COSTS AND FUNDING FOR LIGHT RAIL Follow up to Council Referral No.000464 Staff investigated costs and funding for the light rail system in San Diego, CA. San Diego Trolley, Inc., is reportedly the most cost-effective light rail system in the country. The first section of light rail constructed in San Diego was 15.9 miles long and was built at approximately $5 million per mile. Estimates put today's costs anywhere from $25 million to $40 million per mile, depending on various factors, including how much right of way needs to be purchased. These costs include a multitude of expenses including stations and vehicles as well as grade separations and mitigation for wetlands. The San Diego light rail system recovers about 68% of its operating costs from its fares, which range from $1 to $2.25. Funding for their project came from various sources including a local half-cent sales tax, CMAQ funds, a Federal Transit Administration Full Funding Grant Agreement and annual appropriations of Section 5309 Fixed Guideway New Starts funding. G:\GROU PDAT\Dani\Light Rail.doc B A K E R S F I E L D TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER C /,._.~ ~ FROM: JACK HARDISTY, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRE~ DATE: June 20, 2003 ./ SUBJECT: 4001 MING AVENUE/CODE VIOLATIONS AT OLD ZODY'S PROPERTY Council referral No. Ref000496 (Ward 6) Councilmember Sullivan requested staff provide information regarding the old Zody's building on Ming Avenue and look into Code Enforcement issues on the property. On March 17, 2003 Code Enforcement Officer David Paquette inspected the property at 4001 Ming Avenue for a complaint of trash and debris, parking and advertisement of vehicle sales at the old Builder's Square Building. Officer Paquette found overgrown weeds and vegetation, discarded junk, trash and debris throughout the front and back of the property. There has been an on-going problem with cars being parked for sale in the parking lot and the property being used as a "truck stop". As of March 19, 2003 approximately 39 citations have been issued to vehicles illegally parked on this property. The property is owned by Deutsche BK TR, 11825 N. Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032. Officer Paquette mailed 7-day abatement notices to the property owner. The case was sent to an abatement .hearing and bids have been requested for the abatement of the property. The final bids are expected by June 23, 2003, at which time the lowest bidder will be awarded the contract to abate the property.