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11/14/03
B A K E R $ F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM November 14, 2003 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information 1. This week, the County Supervisors took a position in opposition to the sale of the Kern Power Plant to North American Power Group. Our appeal asking for hearings on that issue, and the opposition to the transfer, has been filed with the CPUC. We have requested that a prehearing conference be scheduled for next month and are now awaiting their reply. 2. Today was the last day for maps to be found "substantially complete" in order to fit under the old transportation development fees. Effective Monday, the new fees are in place, based upon that finding. 3. An actuarial done on our workers' compensation liability shows the need for a +$3.0 million increase in our costs for next year. While it will not help next year's costs, let's hope the Legislature gets some control on this for the future. 4. The lawsuit against the SPCA was filed today. While legal action was not the City's preferred direction with this matter, the SPCA's lack of responsiveness to our repeated requests for an accurate accounting of funds left us with no other choice. The press release that was issued this afternoon is enclosed. 5. The Carrier Canal repairs are moving along at a very good pace. As work continues on the 19th and Oak Street culvert, the renovation project at Truxtun Avenue near the pistol range began this week. The attached status report from Public Works has details on the progress of the repairs. It should be noted that two Public Works employees, Stuart Patteson and Nick Fidler were responsible for the innovative idea of repairing the canal culverts via the "pipe within a pipe" construction. Because of their suggestion, the repair projects will involve less time and cost, and, very importantly, there will be no traffic disruption. We applaud Stuart and Nick for their creative thinking and appreciate their valuable contribution towards rectifying the canal problems. Honorable Mayor and City Council November 14, 2003 Page 2 6. Related to the State budget situation - when the new governor assumes office next week, it is assumed he will immediately rescind the VLF tax. We do not yet have information on whether or not the backfill will kick in under that scenario. Momentum continues on the proposed legislative initiative that would require voter approval for the State to take local funds. Enclosed is an article from the November 14th Sacramento Bee about the terse State/local government financial relationship and the need to address the problem long-term. A November 14th Los Angeles Times article is enclosed regarding the governor- elect's options for dealing with the budget crisis. 7. The FY 2003/04 First Quarter Activity Report from Economic and Community Development is enclosed. 8. The Police Department Special Enforcement Gang Violence Report for the month of October is attached. 9. Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Carson · Status report regarding lighting on Brite Street; Councilmember Benham · Status report regarding parking problem on Verde, near Roosevelt School; · Timeframe for paving the gutter on Pacific Street; Councilmember Ma.q.qard · Status of research pertaining to more local control regarding traffic warrants and restriction of signal construction; · Information regarding drilling at Rio Bravo Resort Councilmember Couch · Status of traffic signal installation at Brimhall and Windsong and interim actions in place; · Analysis and recommendations regarding transferring median/streetscape maintenance to Public Works; · Request for landscape maintenance at the Calloway and Brimhall underpass. AT:rs cc: Department Heads Pam McCarthy, City Clerk Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst B A K E R S F I E L D Virginia Gennaro - City Attorney PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Virginia Gennaro Friday, November 14, 2003 City Attorney (661) 326-3721 CITY OF BAKERSFIELD RELUCTANTLY INITIATES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SPCA After careful consideration, the City of Bakersfield has filed a lawsuit in the Kern County Superior Court against the SPCA. Also named in the action are Robert Strawser, SPCA Executive Director, and the executive board members of the SPCA. The City and the SPCA animal control services agreement expired June 30, 2003 and was not renewed, by mutual agreement. Since that time, the City has made repeated requests, in writing, for a complete and accurate accounting of funds related to the animal control services provided by the SPCA. Unfortunately, the SPCA has not been forthcoming with that information. Of primary concern is approximately $180,000 of deferred license revenues, retained by the SPCA, which should be returned to the City. Those funds are intended to pay for on-going animal control program costs, for which the City is now responsible. The City remains hopeful that this matter can be resolved amicably, but has taken legal action to responsibly protect public funds. Further questions regarding this matter should be referred to Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney, (661) 326-3721. City of Bakersfield · City Attorney's Office 1501 Truxtun Avenue · Bakersfield, California ° 93301 (661) 326-3721. Fax (661) 852-2020 From: Stuart Patteson To: Rhonda Smiley Date: 11/13/2003 4:27:13 PM Subject: Item for Gen Info Memo Status of Carrier Canal Repairs As of today, Thursday 11/13, The box culvert at 19th St. & Oak St.: - 300 ft. out of 450 ft. (2/3) of the reinforced concrete box culvert is completed. - The section from Oak St. through Jim Burke and across 19th St. is 90% backfilled. - the walls for the remaining 150 ft. poured today - all "dry" utilities relocated and repaired in 19th St. Sewer relocation to start tomorrow - Current schedule is to have Jim Burke parking lot prepared and ready for paving early next week, the sewer relocated out of Jim Burke's lot back to 19th St. next week, and 19th St. ready to pave by the end of next week to early the following week, weather permitting.. The subcontractor for Granite Construction doing the four-culvert rehabilitation work has started at the Truxtun Ave. between Oak and Westwind crossing. The silt and trash have been removed and pressure washing is nearly complete. It is anticipated that the four-culvert rehabilitation will be completed by the end of the year. Stuart Patteson, PE Construction Superintendent City of Bakersfield 661-326-3049 e-mail: spatteso @ ci.bakersfield.ca, us CC: Gary Roush; Jack LaRochelle; Raul Rojas; Rick Millwee Take the first step toward a new career! This story is taken from Politics at sacbee.com. Dan Walters: Torturous state-local fiscal relationship reaching climax By Dan Walters -- Bee Columnist - (Published November 14, 2003) After California voters enacted Proposition 13 in 1978 and lowered local government and school district property tax revenues by billions of dollars, then-Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature stepped in with a "bailout," using what one official called an "obscene surplus" in the state treasury. The Capitol's politicians initially assumed that propping up schools and local governments would be temporary, but it quickly morphed into an entirely new and very uneasy relationship. No one really planned, or gamed out, the entanglement of the state's budget with those of cities, counties and school districts. It just evolved, year after year, partially out of necessity and partially because of the politics of the moment. The passage of Proposition 13, as it happened, interacted with two other, more or less simultaneous major political developments: the evolution of the Legislature into a full-time, professional body (approved by voters in 1966 but not truly implemented until the mid-1970s) and the rise of public employee unions as political powers, thanks to the passage of collective bargaining legislation. And both contributed to the overt politicization of what had been a largely apolitical budget process. School people -- school board members, teachers, administrators and the unions -- quickly accepted, even embraced, the new paradigm. They created an "Education Coalition" to protect and enhance state aid to schools and won passage in 1988 of Proposition 98, which placed a hard-to-change floor under state education spending. City and county officials reacted much more slowly, assuming that they would be treated equitably simply because their services were popular and valuable. That assumption, however, was shattered in the early 1990s when then-Gov. Pete Wilson and the Legislature faced a massive, recession-spawned state budget deficit. They grabbed several billion dollars from local government treasuries by diverting more of the remaining property revenues from cities and counties to schools, thereby reducing state education aid. Local officials howled and got some of the money back through a special sales tax, but even when the state treasury was awash in surpluses in the late 1990s, the property tax shift remained intact, attesting to their weak political position. State legislators seemingly enjoyed having the locals at their fiscal mercy, thus giving them indirect influence over other local issues. And, in fact, some local officials liked the situation as well, because it gave them a convenient blame-the-state excuse when confronted by angry constituents. The flag went up again when Wilson and successor Gray Davis curried voter favor by sharply reducing license fees on cars, a form of property tax whose multibillion-dollar proceeds went entirely to local governments, and promising to "backfill" the lost revenues from the state treasury. Ultimately, the Legislature enacted a "trigger" that would reimpose the tax if the backfill funds were not available -- something that happened earlier this year. But now incoming Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is pledging to cut the car tax again, and with state deficits continuing to mount, the backfill is once again at risk. The practical effect of this torturous, 25-year history is that local officials cannot make long-term budget decisions of their own, because they function at the momentary whim of state politicians. Bringing some rationality to this corrosive situation should be high on the political agenda, but there appears to be little appetite in the Capitol for reform. :~ndeed, each session of the Legislature brings a new batch of proposals for imposing state priorities on local governments. Local officials, however, have finally awakened to the political reality, and after years of internal discord have written a Proposition 98-like ballot measure of their own that would, they hope, protect their finances against additional state raids. They're aiming for the November 2004 ballot but are also opening negotiations with the new administration on reform. It may be another dose of ballot box budgeting, which is unhealthy unto itself, but one can understand why they are doing it. They're tired of wearing "kick me" signs on their backs. About the Writer The Bee's Dan Walters can be reached at (916) 321-1195 or .dwalters@sacbee co.m Go to: Sa.cbee /Back..to ~tor:y Cc~.r~.tact .l~e.. Cu.s~;~mer. S_~rv ce Advertise Online I Privacy Policy I Terms of Use I Help I Site Ma~ News I Sjoorts I Busines~s I .P_.oJitics I Opinio~n I Entertainment I _Lifestyle I Travel I Women Cars I C.lass.!.[i.eds I H.o.~nes I ~.obs I G.U!DE..._T.O. 'E~.E. BEE_. I .S._u..bscr_i_be I C.~_ta~(;~ I ~d__v.e_rtis~ I _B_ee_...Ey.~_nts_ I .~_o. mm.~.r).i_ty ~._n.y_o...y_em~e.._n_!; [ Sacramento Bee Web sites ] Sacbee.com I SacTicket.com I Sacramento.com Contact.sacbee.com 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 http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budgetl 4nov 14,1,1331433.story?coil=la-home-headlines advortisomont Cuts in State Budget on the Table, Sources Say By Evan Halper, Jeffrey L. Rabin and Nancy Vogel Times Staff Writers November 14, 2003 SACRAMENTO -- Aides to Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger presented him with a series of budget-balancing choices this week that included cuts in higher education and mental health programs, according to informed sources who spoke on the condition that they not be identified. The proposals came during five hours of confidential meetings with Schwarzenegger's top fiscal advisors Wednesday, after which the group adjourned with no consensus on how best to begin cutting services to attack the state's multibillion-dollar deficit. Incoming Finance Director Donna Arduin suggested the cuts in education and health. The proposals came from the Finance Department's staff members, who had worked through the weekend, combing the budget for places to trim. Schwarzenegger assumes office Monday and is expected to present budget proposals the next day to a special session of the Legislature. Among them are likely to be a bond that would pay offthe state's past short-term debt and an annual cap to keep lawmakers in the future from spending more than the state receives in revenue. For Schwarzenegger, sources said, the closed-door sessions became another lesson in just how limited his options will be in addressing the budget crisis if he is to keep his campaign promises to repeal a recent tripling of the state vehicle license fee, avoid tax increases and still not disturb education programs long championed by the governor-elect. The sessions took place only hours after another private meeting in which about a dozen economists told Arduin that California's gradually recovering economy is unlikely to grow quickly enough over the next 18 months to dig the state out of its continuing fiscal crisis. "It's not enough to solve the problem by any measure," said one meeting participant. Short of spending cuts or tax increases, the growing consensus among budget experts in the Capitol is that Schwarzenegger's only way out will be to ask state lawmakers to place a deficit bond proposal of $20 billion or more on the March ballot, coupled with a constitutional spending cap to solve the structural imbalance between spending and tax collections. Schwarzenegger spokesman H.D. Palmer confirmed the Wednesday meetings with the new governor and his fiscal staff in Sacramento, but declined to say what specifics had been discussed. "It's very focused, very detailed, very thorough discussions about aspects of the state budget and the state fiscal problem," Palmer said, adding that Schwarzenegger also has met with fiscal advisors in Southern California. "In terms of having something locked down and ready to go, we are not there yet," he said. According to sources close to the new administration, Schwarzenegger has been drafting a plan for a mega-bond, and will pitch it to the public as a means of cleaning up the deficit left behind by the administration of Gov. Gray Davis. Both the bond and the spending cap proposal would need to be approved by the Legislature by Dec. 5 to appear on the March ballot. But additional budget cuts would be needed to keep spending under control until a cap was approved by voters and initiated. Wall Street bankers, who have been approached for help with the potential $20 billion borrowing, say.officials with the new administration call it the "burrito bond" because it would wrap up several of the state's financial obligations into one package. Among those obligations are billions in legally dubious borrowing that was supposed to be used to balance this year's budget but has been held up in court, payments to local government now coming from the$4-billion car tax hike that Schwarzenegger has promised to rescind and part of the projected $1 O-billion deficit for the coming fiscal year. "Until the new governor comes up with a proposal to wipe out the structural deficit, all this talk about bonding and going forward is moot," said Irwin Nowick, a senior policy advisor to several Assembly Democrats and a few Republicans. The state's two top fiscal officials -- Treasurer Phil Angelides and Controller Steve Westly, both Democrats -- have come out strongly against submitting a large deficit-bond issue to voters without a concrete plan to bring spending under control first. Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach. Such a bond issue would allow them to avoid cutting some health and social service programs, but it also would saddle taxpayers with a 30-year bill. The borrowing costs on a $20-billion bond issue over that period could be another $20 billion. "It's a very difficult situation with no easy answers," said Assemblyman Keith Richman (R-Northridge), who worked on a bipartisan plan for balancing the budget last year. Richman said he and Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla (D-Pittsburg) could not find a reasonable budget solution that didn't include at least a modest tax hike. Even after bringing spending down to levels below those of 1998, Richman said, "we were not able to balance the budget without a temporary sales tax to pay off the accumulated debt." Richman was the only Republican during the budget debate last summer to support a tax hike. Even without a tax increase, he said, "the spending reductions we proposed were not acceptable to most of the Legislature on both sides of the aisle." Nor were they popular with the public, according to opinion polls. A spending cap would shrink the size of state government over time. But there is debate in Sacramento over how to make one effective. Business groups have been unimpressed by some of the proposals put forward by advisors to the governor-elect, because they would allow spending to grow exponentially in boom years when personal income tax receipts were strong. Some budget experts say that creating a truly effective spending cap would require tinkering with Proposition 98, which guarantees that a certain percentage of state revenue always be devoted to education-- already the largest portion of the budget. Revising that constitutional guarantee would be unpopular with voters, but creating an effective spending cap otherwise would lead to reductions that could decimate social service programs embraced by the Legislature's Democratic majority. Richman and Canciamilla are working on a cap proposal that they will present when the Legislature convenes Tuesday. More pressure will be placed on Schwarzenegger today, when Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill is scheduled to reveal her latest estimate of the size of the budget problem. It was Hill who warned shortly after last November's election that the gap between what the state spends and what it takes in had grown to record levels. Only a few weeks later, Davis announced that the budget deficit had ballooned to $34.8 billion, fanning the flames of the recall campaign that ultimately cost the veteran Democratic officeholder his job. CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE B A K E R S F I E L Economic and Community Development Department MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manag~)~'~Jfl' 0/1~ November 7, 2003 FROM: Donna Kunz, Economic Development Director SUBJECT: Economic and Community Development Department Activity Report This memo will serve as an update for Fiscal Year 2003-04, 1st quarter (July 1 to October1) on-going housing, economic and community development projects. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 1. Acquisition and Demolition Program Funds in the amount of $210,350 (FY 03/04) are budgeted for acquisition and demolition of deteriorated industrial, commercial and residential properties in an economically distressed area. Staff is waiting for specific sites to be identified. 2. Automated Chemical Controllers at Three Swimming Pools Funds in. the amount of $46,500 (FY 02/03) are budgeted to install automated chemical controllers at Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr., and Wayside Parks. The controllers are scheduled to be installed when Jefferson and MLK Jr. pools are rehabilitated between January and June of 2004. 3. Baker St. Streetscape Project (Phase I)(EDI Grant) The project is streetscape construction along four blocks of Baker Street between Niles and Jackson streets. Federal funding in the amount of $490,000 came through HUD's Special Economic Development Initiative (EDI) program. The money was used to revitalize the district by installing trees, decorative light poles with banners, and pedestrian furniture. Project is now complete and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held October 29, 2003. S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports~RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 1 '~ 4. Baker Street Streetscape Improvement Project (Phase II) Funds in the amount of $250,000 (FY 03/04) were budgeted to design and install streetscape improvements from the railroad tracks on Baker Street south to Truxtun Avenue. Design should be completed by May 2004. Construction is scheduled to start by July 2004 with completion in Fall of 2004. 5. Brundage Lane Streetscape Funds in the amount of $413,500 of Section 108 funds (FY 02/03) were budgeted to install median streetscape, sidewalk and lighting improvements from Chester to Union avenues. Design is scheduled to be completed in February 2004, and construction should begin in April 2004 and be completed by June 2004. 6. California Avenue Streetscape Project Funds in the amount of $413,500 of Section 108 funds (FY 02/03) were budgeted for median streetscape, sidewalk and lighting improvements in the public right-of- way of California Avenue from Chester Avenue to the railroad tracks east of Washington Avenue. Design is scheduled to be completed in January 2004. Construction should start by April 2004 and be completed by July 2004. 7. Chester Avenue Streetscape (Phase Ill) Funds in the amount of $250,000 (FY 02/03) were budgeted for design and installation of streetscape improvements on Chester Avenue from 34th Street to West Columbus Street. Bids were opened on June 6, 2003 and found to be in excess of the engineer's estimate. The City Council rejected all bids on July 30, 2003. Construction costs were reduced though project redesign. Bids are to be opened on October 28, 2003. Construction should start in December 2003 and be completed by February 2004. 8. 14th Street Aquatic Center Project Funds in the amount of $3,591,000 (FY's 01/02 and 02/03) have been budgeted for construction of an 8,000+_ sq.ft, swimming pool with zero depth entry area, water slide, and lap lanes on a 2.3 acre site bounded by 14th, "P", and "Q" streets ($3,300,000 is coming from Section 108 funds). Additional CDBG funds were budgeted from FY 03/04. Project design was completed on June 18, 2003. Construction started last August and is scheduled to be completed by May 2004. 9. Jefferson Park Basketball Court Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $31,000 (FY 01/02) were budgeted to create two additional basketball courts from existing tennis courts at Jefferson Park. Bids were rejected on June 11,2003, because of the need to change construction specifications. The project has been re-advertised and contract award for a Iow bidder is pending. Construction is scheduled to start in December 2003 with completion by end of January 2004. S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 2 ~* 10. Jefferson Park Play.qround Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $143,000 (FY 02/03) were budgeted to remove old playground equipment and to replace it with handicap accessible equipment. Project funds are to be reprogrammed to the Jefferson Park Swimming Pool Rehabilitation Project due increasing pool construction costs. The bids on the pool project are scheduled to be opened by end of October 2003. 11. Jefferson Park Swimminq Pool Rehabilitation Funds in the amount of $500,000 (FY 01/02) were budgeted for rehabilitation of the swimming pool at 801 Bernard Street. Funding will be from Section 108 and CDBG entitlement funds. It is anticipated that construction will begin in January and be completed by May 31,2004. 12. Lowell Park Community Center Improvement Funds in the amount of $126,000 (FY 02/03) were budgeted to install two modular units in Lowell Park for a community center. Specifications to purchase the modular units are being reviewed by Public Works. 13. Martin Luther Kin,q Jr. Breezeway and Restroom Roof Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $28,000 (FY 03/04) were budgeted to replace the breezeway roof (1,440 sq. ft.) and the restroom roof (960 sq. ft.) at the MLK Jr. Park Community Center. Bids are scheduled to be opened on November 13, 2003, and installation should take place in December 2003. 14. Martin Luther Kin.q Jr. Swimmin.q Pool Rehabilitation Project Funds in the amount of about $470,400 (FY 01/02, FY 02/03,) were budgeted for the rehabilitation of the swimming pool at 1000 South Owens Street. $300,000 will be from Section 108 funds. It is anticipated that construction will start by January 2004 and be completed by May 31, 2004. 15. Metropolitan Recreation Center Pla¥.qround Construction Project Funds in the amount of $80,000 (FY 03/04) were budgeted for the construction of a new playground for children 5 to 12 years of age at the County owned Stramler Park. The project is estimated to cost $141,200. County Recreation and Parks promised in September 2003 to decide if they will pay for the unbudgeted portion of the project. EDCD staff is waiting for a response. 16. 19th Street and Eye Street Streetscape Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $312,000 (FY 03/04) were budgeted for streetscape improvements on 19th Street from "H" to Eye streets and on Eye Street between 18th and 19th streets. Construction was delayed because some of the available funds were re-budgeted for the construction of the aquatic center. The revised budget for the streetscape project is $210,500. Design should be completed in April 2004. Construction is scheduled to take place in FY 04/05 when more funds can be budgeted for this activity. S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 3 ' 17. Pacheco #10 Area Sewer Installation Project (Phase II - Construction) Funds in the amount of $196,415 (FY01/02, FY02/03) were budgeted for installation of sewer line in an area bordered by Pacheco Road on the north, one block east of Elysium Street on the east, Faith Avenue on the south and one block west of Centaur Street on the west. Additional funds ($500,500) were budgeted from FY 03~04. The City Council awarded the project construction bid on July 30th. Construction started on August 25th and is scheduled to be completed by May 3, 2004. 18. Rio Vista Park Improvement Project Staff received approval notice of their application for $314,822 in grant funds to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Grant funds were available through the Jobs-Housing Balance Incentive Grant Program. Funding was considered based on the increase of home building permits during 2001. The grant requires funds will go towards constructing the children's playground for Rio Vista Park. The park is located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Stockdale Highway and the Kern River. Design is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2003. Construction should start in March 2004 and be completed in August 2004. 19. Southeast Bakersfield Street Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $257,000 (FY 02/03 Amendment #6) were budgeted to install curb and gutter and to rehabilitate sidewalks in an area bordered by California Avenue on the north, Pershing Street on the east, 8th Street on the south and "Q" Street on the west. Construction is scheduled to start by end of October 2003 and to be completed by the end of June 2004. 20. Southeast Bakersfield Street Li.qht Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $43,500 (FY 01/02) were budgeted to upgrade street lighting in two areas in southeast Bakersfield. Area #1 is bordered by California Avenue on the north, City limits and Washington Street on the east, Brundage Lane on the south, and Union Avenue on the west. Area #2 is bordered by Casa Loma Drive on the north, Cottonwood Road and Hale Street on the east, White Lane on the south, and Union Avenue on the west. Project is scheduled to start in March 2004 and be completed by May 2004. 21. 600 Union Avenue Street Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $18,000 (FY01/02 Amendment #8 - see project below) were budgeted for curb, gutter and sidewalk reconstruction on the east side of Union Avenue between 6th and 7t' Streets. The project was completed on September 26, 2003. 22. Southwest Corner of Chester Ave. and Brundaqe Ln. St. Improvement Proiect Funds in the amount of $92,000 (FY 01/02 Amendment #8 - see project above) were budgeted for curb, gutter and sidewalk reconstruction. Project is waiting for the development plans on the adjoining McDonald's Restaurant property to be approved. S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 4 23. Union Avenue Area Street Project (3rd to 4th streets) Funds in the amount of $100,000 were budgeted (FY02/03) to provide street improvements in an area bounded by 4th Street on the north, Union Avenue on the east, 3rd Street on the south and "V" Street on the west. The street improvements on "V" Street were completed in June 2003. PG&E has to move four power poles on 3rd Street before the 3rd Street improvements can be installed. 24. Union Avenue Street Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $61,500 of Section 108 funds (FY 02/03) were budgeted for installation of median streetscape, sidewalk, and lighting improvements on Union Avenue from California Avenue to Belle Terrace. Design is scheduled to be completed in May 2004. Construction should start in July 2004 and be completed by September 2004. 25. Union Avenue Area Street Li.clht Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $17,500 (FY01/02) were budgeted for installation of 15 new street lights and the upgrading of 11 existing street lights in an area bordered by California Avenue on the north, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the east, Brundage Lane on the south, and Union Avenue on the west. Installation is scheduled to start in January 2004 with completion by March 2004. 26. Wayside Park Play.qround Improvement Project Funds in the amount of $223,000 were budgeted (FY03/04) to replace old playground equipment with handicapped accessible equipment. Design is scheduled to be completed in December 2003. Installation should start in April 2004 with completion by May 2004 NON-PROFIT/PUBLIC FACILITY PROJECTS Economic and Community Development staff is assisting the following various non-profit organizations to acquire or improve their public facilities. 1. Construction of Facility to House Career/Trainin.q Center Funds in the amount of $200,000 (FY01/02) were budgeted for construction of a career counseling/training center. Funding will be from Section 108 funds. The project was approved by Council in May. The Housing Authority of the County of Kern (HACK) owns a 2.5 acre parcel of commercial property, adjacent to their Oro Vista housing complex. HACK proposes to build a 32,000 square foot commercial development, with 10,000 square feet of office space, a small restaurant (3,500 sq. ft.), a 10,000 square foot computer training facility, and a 7,500 square foot child care center. A federal environmental review has been completed and release of funds has been received from HUD. HACK is exploring funding options and potential tenants for the commercial portion of the project. S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 5 ~* 2. The Bakersfield Police Activities League (BPAL) BPAL expects to use $108,000 of FY02/03 CDBG funds to locate modular building units at its 301 E. 4th Street to be used as classroom and office space for an after school tutorial program. This project is another phase in BPAL's development of the youth center. The total construction cost is estimated to be $155,000. BPAL will receive approximately $13,000 from the County of Kern CDBG program and make up the rest with private funds. BPAL recently submitted plans and draft bid specifications for review by City and County Community Development Departments. Corrections will be requested of BPAL and the bidding process is estimated to commence by December 2003. 3. Bakersfield Police Department Southeast Satellite Office The Bakersfield Police Department will use $85,000 of FY03/04 CDBG funds to lease and staff a satellite office in southeast Bakersfield. The site is located on Lakeview in the Oro Vista public housing complex. The office is open from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. A full time officer, a Crime Prevention Specialist and a technician are assigned to the office. Lieutenant Dave Haskins will be in the office several days each week. Public services from the office are ongoing. 4. Bakersfield Senior Center The Bakersfield Senior Center located at 530 4th Street will use $50,000 (FY 03/04 CDBG funds) to continue its current level of services to seniors in southeast and central Bakersfield. The current services provided include: noon time meals, recreational activities, physical fitness activities, senior advocacy, human services referrals, and transportation for clients. The senior center will also add periodical access to a nurse on their premises, this year. A project agreement is scheduled for Council action November 19th. Public services from the Senior Center are ongoing. 5. Bakersfield Rescue Mission The Bakersfield P,escue Mission, (BP, M), located at 830 Beale Avenue proposes to use $260,000 (FY03/04 CDBG funds) to expand their food services operations to accommodate 700 meals per day, served to homeless and Iow income families and individuals in Bakersfield. BP,M is considering two options for the facility: 1) build a 3,000 square foot free standing metal building on-site to house the kitchen and food service training operations for the mission; or 2) purchase and renovate the Salvation Army building at 721 E. 21st Street, which has a commercial kitchen and an adequately sized dining facility. BRM is having conversations with community organizations in the area to ensure that BRM plans will flow with changes that are in progress in the Baker Street area. A project agreement will be drafted within 30 days after BRM and area organizations come to a resolution on the food service facility. S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 6 ' 6. Employment Reports We continue to review annual (performance) employment reports for businesses that received CDBG funds. Step 2 submitted their last (5th) year employment report which was satisfactory. In addition, Victory Circle submitted their second year employment report which was also satisfactory. Emergency Shelter Grant Funded 1. Bakersfield Homeless Center An agreement between the City and Bethany Services (dba The Bakersfield Homeless Center) requesting approval for ESG funds (FY 03/04 - $51,000) will be going before the City Council November 19, 2003. The Bakersfield Homeless Center has requested funds to continue operation and maintenance of the facility. 2. Bakersfield Rescue Mission An agreement between the City and the Bakersfield Rescue Mission requesting approval for ESG funding (FY 03/04 - $51,000) will be going before the City Council November 19, 2003. The Bakersfield Rescue Mission has requested funds to continue operation and maintenance of the facility. HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROJECTS Economic and Community Development Department staff is assisting the following private and non-profit organizations to acquire or improve their housing projects and neighborhood/commercial facilities. 1. Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAP of Kern) CAP of Kern is requesting $100,000 of Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) funds to be used for their housing acquisition and rehabilitation program. Of the $100,000, CAP of Kern would utilize $75,000 as a revolving loan fund from which homes would be purchased, rehabbed or constructed, and sold to qualified first time home buyers. The remaining $25,000 would be used by CAP of Kern for operating expenses associated with operating their housing program. An agreement has been drafted and is currently under review and approval by CAP of Kern. 2. Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity is currently working under an agreement that allows them to borrow up to $85,000 as a CHDO to assist in the purchase of in-fill housing properties and the construction of single-family homes. These homes will be sold to families whose income is between 30% and 50% of the area's median income. The selected Habitat family and volunteers provide the needed sweat equity labor to construct the homes. In addition to assisting with acquisition costs, the loan to Habitat will assist in paying for such construction costs as school fees, building permits, appraisal fees and construction supervision. To date, the City has assisted with the purchase of four properties. Construction of a single-family home has now been completed on three of the properties and a construction is underway on the property located at 219 Daniels Street. The completion of the home at 219 Daniels S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 7 will close out the old agreement and the execution of a new agreement will be completed once all funds from the current agreement are expended. 3. Tax Defaulted Properties The County of Kern compiled a list of real properties for which property taxes have not been paid for a minimum of five years. Pursuant to the County selling these properties at auction, the City objected to the sale and offered to buy five of the properties for the cost of back taxes, any liens and expenses associated with the auction. EDCD staff was successful in gaining the right to purchase two of the five properties located at 19 Milham and 301 South Owens. The Purchase Agreements have been forwarded to the County for their review and approval. Once the County has approved the agreements, they are sent to the State of California for approval. Staff previously objected to the sale of the properties located at 227 Augusta, 339 Brown and 124 Hayes. The purchase of the properties has been finalized and the recorded deeds have been received. Staff has negotiated disposition of two lots to Bakersfield College under their Hispanic Serving Institution Grant training for the construction of affordable single-family homes. 4. The Parkview Cotta.qes Housin~ Project The City was awarded a $1.4 million HELP grant that is targeted for the Parkview Cottages housing project near Central Park. The HELP funds were used to acquire a portion of the old foundry site which was sold to a developer in July. The project will consist of 74 single-family housing units, ranging from 1350 to 1750 sq. ft. a unit. Each unit will be two stories and have a two car garage. On June 9 the DDA agreement with Parkview Cottages LLC was approved by the RDA. Staff has revised the recapture language to include an equity sharing provision which will eliminate the possibility of any undue enrichment. The estimated total project cost is $9.4 million with construction expected to commence January 2004. 5. Southeast Bakersfield Infill Housin.q Project The City was awarded a $500,000 CHFA loan to build affordable housing on scattered lots in southeast Bakersfield. Seven homes have been constructed to date. The RDA assumed all rights and obligations of the CHFA HELP Loan on February 26, 2003. Round two of the infill housing project has commenced. Currently, D and D Development; T and T Construction, and D.O.D Development, are building homes in the area. The Southeast Bakersfield Community Neighborhood Housing Development Group was dropped as a developer. Four new homes are currently under construction. Key round two changes include: no grant for property acquisition; increase of loan amount from $50K to $65K; agreement time frames increased from 18 months to two years; and each developer is obligated to complete at least four homes within the two-year period. Staff also negotiated two additional CDBG lot grants of $10,000 each with D.O.D. Development and Vision Homes from carryover funds not used in the first program round by these developers. S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinall stQuarter2003-04.doc Page 8 '*' 6. Maranatha Corporation Housin,q Project At the February 6, 2002, City Council meeting, Maranatha Corporation received City Council approval to use $100,000 in HOME funds to purchase property in the Southeast Infill Project area and build up to 14 affordable homes for Iow income households. The HOME funds were from project savings from several HOME activities and from various years: FY's 98/99, 99/00, and 00/01. Maranatha received $126,000 from the Bank of America and the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco to subsidize the mortgages and make the homes affordable. To date, Maranatha has signed purchase options on seven properties in the project area. Maranatha reported delays in property purchases as the reason they have not moved forward with the project. Maranatha is requesting an extension of six months to its agreement. Estimated completion date is July, 2004. 7. Sin.qle-family Rehabilitation (SFR) Pro.qram During this quarter, housing rehabilitation staff completed four single family rehabilitation projects. Three rehabilitation projects are in various stages of construction and six applications are under review for approval. Fifteen SFR rehabilitation applications were received during the quarter. 8. Home Accessibility (HA) Pro.qram The annual HA contract with Muxlow Construction, approved October 2002 in the amount of $77,000, is now complete. Seventy-three percent of the funding for the agreement was used prior to the expiration of the contract. During the last quarter, eleven physically challenged clients were assisted, and staff is working on another fourteen applications. A Request for Proposals for the next Home Access contract has been completed and the successful bidder was Muxlow Construction. A contract has been finalized. Notice to Proceed is scheduled by no later than November 2003. 9. Housin.q Rehabilitation Marketin.q Staff received approximately 175 inquiries about our various programs and mailed information for assistance to potential clients. Staff continues to distribute housing brochures to potential clients by mail, walk-ins, neighborhood marketing and through various community events and fairs. Staff also enhances marketing by installing Home Improvement Program marketing signs in front of all current construction projects. 10. Fair Housinq Quarterly statistics compiled from reporting data collected from July through September indicate approximately 353 calls on the fair housing hotline. There were 37 substantial service calls that dealt with fair housing issues. There were five formal complaints filed this quarter. Three complaints have been referred to DFEH for enforcement; one was resolved by staff; and the other one is still active and under review. The fair housing discrimination complaints and inquires to the Fair Housing Hotline breakdown as follows: Race - 38%; Disability - 9%; Familial Status - 28%; and Other Arbitrary Discrimination- 25%. S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04,doc Page 9 ~ 11. Business Assistance Pro¢ram Approximately $743,000 in CDBG funds for assistance to private for-profits was originally budgeted. The funds were earmarked to assist commercial, retail, industrial businesses in the southeast community. Approximately $147,000 has been expended to date by way amendments to assist business related activities. Staff sent a Statement of Interest letter last Fall to property owners, businesses and developers within the major southeast commercial corridors offering potential financial assistance in the form of CDBG loans. Submittals will be evaluated by staff in FY03/04 as to CDBG eligibility and job creation requirements. The letter encouraged written submittal of potential commercial projects. The statement of interest reflected that the City may be able to assist them with gap financial loans using the set aside CDBG funds for economic development. To date, staff has received 10 written requests for financial assistance. Staff is in the process of contacting those requesting assistance to define their funding need and outlining the City's requirements in using CDBG funds. HACK has requested, and staff is considering, additional assistance for their East California Avenue Career Training Facility in the form of a $300,000 loan from the SE Business Loan Fund. EDCD is the lead agency for the business loan fund. 12. California Avenue Senior Housin~ (CVE) Proiect Capital Vision Equities (CVE) is in the process of developing a 180 senior housing unit (one-bedroom) project in the southeast Bakersfield redevelopment project area. The CVE project consists of property acquisition, clearance, relocation, and new construction. CVE's total cost for the project is about $12 million. They are receiving City loan assistance of about $2.7 million ($1.7 million HOME and $1 million in tax increment financing) in the form of a loan - 3% simple interest over a 40 year period. The remainder of funds for the senior housing project will come from tax credit and developer equity/fee sources. CVE was successful in their tax credit funding application and was awarded $13.7 million. A groundbreaking ceremony took place last March. 13. Kozee Apartment Complex Project The Kozee project consists of the construction of 38 housing units. In addition to the 40,000 square foot apartment complex, Mr. Lee will construct 30,000 square feet of commercial/retail buildings adjacent to the apartment complex. The Agreement was a forgivable loan for clearance of existing structures in the amount of $183,000 in Redevelopment Agency tax increment funds. Construction of both the affordable housing and commercial element are underway. 14, Bakersfield Senior Center Housing Project The Bakersfield Senior Center (BSC) was awarded $932,000 in CHDO HOME funds to assist in the development of 80 housing units for very Iow income seniors at "R" and 5th streets. The project is a joint venture between the Bakersfield Senior Center and the Retirement Housing Foundation which was federally approved with a HUD 202 funding reservation of about $6.7 million. The framing is nearing completion and a Spring 2004 completion is anticipated. S:\DEBBIE'S~EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 10 ~ 15. Restoration Community Project INC., Youth Buildin.q Bakersfield (YBB) An agreement has been approved that will allow RCPI to receive $195,000 in CHDO HOME funds for the purchase and rehabilitation of deteriorated housing in the Lakeview Avenue area. RCPI will employ at-risk youth from 16-24 years of age to do the rehabilitation work. YBB will have a training component for the youth, an educational component to secure a GED, and other counseling and referral services. The program will last for three years after which, graduates will receive a $1,000 bonus and referral to apprenticeship programs or higher education. The rehabilitated homes will be sold to Iow income families and the sales proceeds will be used to purchase and rehabilitate other properties in the target area. RCPI closed escrow on its first project property last summer, located at 1306 Potomac, and interviews for students and an office assistant have been completed. A general contractor is currently being retained with actual training and construction to begin by the end of the year. 16. Baker Street Revitalization Project (Old Town Kern Mixed Use Project) The proposed project is the development of a mixed-use project that includes 30,000 square feet of new retail, and the construction of 150 units of affordable housing. The project will also include the construction of a public plaza area and a small cultural theater. Total cost of the project is projected to be about $i4 million. The Council approved the $1,000,000 Section 108 Loan contract and $250,000 in Brownsfield Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) funds to assist in land acquisition and relocation of existing businesses. Total cost of the project is projected to be about $14,000,000. The CSO building has been purchased with CDBG funds for the affordable housing component by the City. At a later date, this property will be transferred to the RDA by way of a two party subrecipient project agreement. The CSO tenant relocation is ongoing. Also, the demolition of three homes previously acquired has been completed and relocations for two tenants have been completed. Other acquisitions are currently underway. 17. Housinq Authority of the County of Kern The Housing Authority of the County of Kern is proposing to develop 50 units of affordable senior housing in the Downtown Redevelopment Project Area, at the corner of 24th and R Streets. The proposal is for acquisition of the vacant property and the construction of the new senior housing. The total cost for the project is approximately $5.1 million and will be built adjacent to Phase I of the Park Place Senior Housing Project, 80 units of senior housing. A request has been made to the City for assistance in the amount of $50,000 (New Construction HOME funds)in the form of a loan - 3% simple interest (residual receipts loan rate) over a 55 year period which will be used for acquisition costs. A federal (NEPA) environmental review is underway. An agreement has been drafted and will be released to HACK subsequent to the completion of the NEPA document. S:\DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 11 18. Baker Street Corridor Economic Development Strategy State funds have been earmarked to develop an ED strategy for the Baker Street area. The strategy will enable the community to create a community vision integrating urban design concepts with economic development components into an action plan for the revitalization of Baker Street. To develop the plan a week-end community design charrette was held in May to identify a vision for the area. As a follow-up city staff and consultants focused on strategies to improve specific sites along Baker Street. These refined designs were discussed during a second community forum June 26. Based on community feedback, the strategies were further refined and synthesized into an Economic Development Strategy. Community members had the opportunity to provide feedback on the recommendations during a third forum July 23. During October the final product will be presented to the City Council for their review. 19. 24th and "M" Street Development Staff, through the Redevelopment Agency, is working with a local developer to acquire a vacant Caltrans parcel at 24th and M street. The developer plans to construct an upscale mixed use project at the long vacant (formerly Sangera Buick/Volvo) auto sales site across the street. Staff has received Caltrans approvals to purchase their parcel, which the Agency will in turn sell to the developer. The additional parking will allow the development to provide adequate parking for the future tenants. Escrow for the CalTrans property has been opened and it is expected to close this calendar year. 20. Union Avenue Improvements Union Avenue continues to improve. Staff is working with two new businesses currently. A restaurant/music hall is being proposed at 802 Union Avenue, with renovation of the building currently underway. The other is a newly constructed 7,500 sq. ft. commercial/retail building at 600 Union Avenue, that staff is assisting with the off-site improvements. 21. Mill Creek Walkway Work continues on developing a plan and cost estimates for recreation and park improvements along the canal between Golden State and California avenues. Two workshops were held to gather public input on deficiencies in existing recreation and park facilities, amenities, and programs, and ideas for meeting those deficiencies. Representatives from six departments are meeting regularly to finalize the scope, design, and costs of the canal improvements. Following this, they will be pulling the various elements together for grant submittals in 2004 to the California Department of Parks and Recreation. 22. EPA Brownfields Grant Work continues on the paperwork associated with our $1 million Brownfields grant from U.S. EPA. One of the requirements is a very detailed work plan outlining the goals and objectives of our program as well as a detailed budget. Based upon the draft work plan and budget submitted to EPA, we have been told they have been recommended for conditional approval, contingent upon the receipt and approval of a final work plan within 30 days after notice of award funding. The award is not expected before the beginning of the federal fiscal year which starts in October. S:~DEBBIE'S\EDCD Activity Reports\RevFinallstQuarter2003-04.doc Page 12 BAKERSFIELD POLICE Date: November 12, 2003 RECEIVED,, To: Alan Tandy, City Manager ~ ! ~, ~ · 0 ' From: Eric W. Matlock, Chief of P lice CITY MANAGER'S OFF~CE Subject: Special Enforcement Gang Violence Report I have enclosed the Special Enforcement Unit's monthly report for October. Please call me if you have any questions. EWM/vrf Bakersfield poliCe Department Special Enforcement Unit .Monthly Report - October 2003 The following is a compilation of the performance of the Special Enforcement Unit and significant incidents / investigations for October 2003. 35 Felony Arrests 2 Guns Seized 35 Special Reports General Offense 17 Misdemeanor Arrests 105 Fl's 24 Reports 6 Felony Warrant 14 Citations 9 Vehicle Reports Arrests Misdemeanor Warrant 20 31 Prob./Par. Searches 1 Search Warrants Arrests 4 2003 Shootings Hrs. Assisting Other 0 2002 Shootings 184 Hours In Training 60 Department 3 2001 Shootings Sections 2 2000 Shootings 4 1999 Shootings Year to Date Statistics January - October 2003 556 Felony Arrests 51 Guns Seized 475 Special Reports General Offense 211 Misdemeanor Arrests 1257 Fl's 191 Reports Felony Warrant 59 Citations 100 Vehicle Reports 119 Arrests Misdemeanor Warrant 176 488 Prob./Par. Searches 13 Search Warrants Arrests 39 2003 Shootings Hrs. Assisting Other 24 2002 Shootings 2409 Hours In Training 4545 Department 28 2001 Shootings Sections 45 2000 Shootings 85 1999 Shootings RECEIVED NOVI3 2003 · ¢~ANAGER'SC' ., B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM November 12, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR~,L SUBJECT: LIGHTING ON BRITE STREET Council Referral #637 Councilmember Carson requested staff look into the need for lighting in the area of Bright Street where it dead ends at South Oleander. Contact Councilmember Carson to view the area. Staff is in the process of investigating the area and will be contacting Councilmember Carson. G:\GROUPDA~Referrals~2003\CC Mtg 11-05\637 - GS.doc I~OVl 3~03~ .... ~.~.~.~ MANAGEF~';$ ~: B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM November 12, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR~//L,_~ SUBJECT: PARKING NEAR ROOSEVELT SCHOOL Council Referral #630 Councilmember Benham requested staff look into the parking problem on Verde near Roosevelt School. Staff to contact Judy Miller. Traffic Engineering staff will review the parking situation around Roosevelt School and the problems developing on Verde Street. Judy Miller will be contacted and presented with options for reducing the impact of parking on Verde. This may include parking prohibitions or signing of loading zones and limited parking zones to reduce "all day" parking in a neighborhood. G:\GROUPDA'r~Referrals~2003\CC Mtg 11-05\630 - Traffic.doc RECEIVED NOVI3 ;~003 B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM November 13, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR~~.~. SUBJECT: PACIFIC STREET CITIZEN CONCERNS Council Referral #631 Councilmember Benham requested Public Works address the need for paving gutters on Pacific Street. This area has an asphalt gutter which requires patching every couple of years. Staff will have a patch crew working in this area as time permits. The patch work in the 400 block of Pacific will be completed by the end of November. G:\GROUPDAT~Referrals~2003\CC Mtg 11-05\631 - Streets.doc ........ RECEIVED ' NOVI 3 MANAGER'S B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM November 12, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ~ SUBJECT: TRAFFIC WARRANTS RESTRICTING SIGNAL CONSTRUCTION Council Referral #635 Councilmember Maggard requested staff ask legislators for assistance in providing more local control regarding traffic warrants and their ability to restrict signal construction. Raul Ro.ias to confer with Alan Tandy regarding letter to Department of Transportation. The Public Works Traffic Engineer will research for information on existing traffic warrants and their application. A letter will be sent to the California Department of Transportation requesting clarification of the responsibility of local agencies to follow California State Department of Transportation standards and Federal Highway Administration standards for traffic control device warrants. G:\GROUPDA~Referrals~003\CC Mtg 11-05\635 - Traffic.doc · .'.~, MANAGER S O -,-:':' .' B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM November 12, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ~ SUBJECT: BRIMHALL ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNAL Council Referral #629 Councilmember Couch requested staff expedite the installation of a signal at Brimhall and Windsong before the next school year; look at possible short term measures (4-way Stop, driver notification, paint, flashing light, additional signage, trees trimmed to enhance sight line); contact property owner East of Eagle Scout project for permission to place signs; conduct speed survey between Calloway & Coffee; make a school zone; request from legislators for more flexibility in placement of school zone signs; provide time frame to Fruitvale School Board at 11/18 meeting; staff to place flashing device immediately at the intersection. A traffic signal system is to be installed at this intersection by the start of school next year. The Public Works Department has engaged engineers to design the traffic signal system, prepare the specifications and contract documents this current budget year so that the project can be awarded and constructed in a "fast track" manner. The goal is to have the signal operational by next August, 2004. As an interim solution, a flashing beacon warning system was installed by City crews on Friday, November 7th, using available equipment, to enhance the warning to motorists that there is an intersection with pedestrians crossing Brimhall Road. City crews have also replaced the four pedestrian warning signs on Brimhall with larger, brighter signs. Warning signs are in place in advance of the crosswalk/intersection and also at the crosswalk/intersection. These new, larger and brighter signs will help the motorists be more aware of the road conditions and possible presence of pedestrians crossing the road. The existing road markings are also being enhanced with fresh paint to be more visible to the motorist. The City Parks crews have improved visibility by trimming the trees and bushes in the landscape areas near the intersection and approaching the intersection. Council Referral #629 Page 2 The traffic engineers are updating the traffic volume counts this week to determine if additional controls or 4 way stop signs are Warranted. Traffic speeds are also being analyzed to determine if the posted speed can be lowered for radar enforcement by the Police Department. In addition, the Police Department continues to monitor the speeding on Brimhall with traffic officers issuing citations, especially during school hours. The Traffic Engineer will write to the State of California Traffic Control Devices Committee to request that State laws be amended to allow school zone speed reductions away from school areas but within a school pedestrian crossing area. G:\GROUPDA'IAReferrals~2003\CC Mtg 11-05\629 - Traffic.doc B A K E R S F I E L D M E M O R A N D U M RECEIVED .... TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER NOV I ~, 2003 FROM: ~-/,,.-STANLEY C. GRADY, PLANNING DIRECTOR ~ CiTY MANAGER'S OFFICE DATE: November 13, 2003 ..... SUBJECT: RIO BRAVO RESORT DRILLING Council Referral No. REF000634 COUNCILMEMBER MAGGARD REQUESTED DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT LOOK INTO RIO BRAVO RESORT DRILLING FOR MINERAL AND SULFER SPRINGS WHICH IS CAUSING AN ORDOR.. The Rio Bravo Resort is zoned R-1 (Single Family Residential) but has a GC (General Commercial) land use designation. The use was approved in the county as a Precise Development Plan but the zone was changed upon annexation to the city. The change establishes the use as legal nonconforming. This means the use was legally established but by virtue of its zoning does not conform to its current zoning. Therefore any expansion of uses beyond what was originally approved would require a conditional use permit. The current water well drilling operation is regulated by Kern County Environmental Health. Fire Department staff contacted Mike Chapman at the agency and was informed that a permit had been issued to drill. Although a permit has been issued to drill for water, establishment of a mineral spring facility for customers wOuld require a conditional use permit. SG:djl P:\CCReferral\Ref000634.doc B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM October 28, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ~ ALAN CHRISTENSEN, INTERIM DIRECTOR R~EATION & PARKS/-~_.. SUBJECT: COST SAVINGS FOR MEDIAN/STREETSCAPE TRANSFER Council Referral ¢1~87 Councilmember Couch requested staff provide further analysis of potential cost savings due to transferring median and streetscape maintenance to the Public Works Department. Public Works staff has met with Parks staff to review all aspects of median, and streetscape maintenance as it currently exists. This has provided further understanding of the Parks operations as it relates to maintenance. Previous correspondence has stated that fiscal savings could possibly be obtained by moving median and streetscape maintenance to Public Works. We still believe savings can be achieved; however, these savings will likely be offset by the elimination of some efficiencies currently realized by Parks staff which could result in little or no overall savings. Areas of Concern · The current parks, median and streetscape maintenance is divided into four (4) areas of the City. Staff works in these areas on a daily basis and does not specialize in just park, median or streetscape maintenance. This allows flexibility in the use of staff and reduces travel time that would result in having separate crews for park or median maintenance. · The parks staff is currently able to use vehicles and equipment for use in park, median and streetscape maintenance. Much of this equipment is needed in all of these areas and could not be easily divided between the Parks Division and Streets Division. It would also be impractical to have a street crew carry with it equipment for median maintenance. This would require the purchase of additional equipment resulting in greater equipment cost. S:\Council Referrals\587 - Brad-2.doc · Being able to cross train and use employees in other areas and types of work, such as street and park/median maintenance, can provide efficiencies. However, the Parks Division uses some lower level job classifications that the Streets Division does not, which would likely result in additional cost to the City. This additional cost would be from the requirement of Union MOU's, to either reclassify some of the poSitions or pay premium wages to supplement an employee for working out of their classification. Many of the items of concern previously expressed can be managed through better communication and working relationships between Departments. Brad Underwood is establishing a weekly meeting primarily centered on Streets Division activities. We have found that many of the work activities that the Streets Division oversees can affect the work plans of others outside of Public Works. The Streets Division's" two (2) week work schedule" will be reviewed to keep others affected by the work informed and aware of anything that may affect their own work plan. In addition, other concerns will be brought forward for discussion to foster a TEAM effort in providing more efficient and higher quality service to Bakersfield residents. Parks Division staff will be attending these meetings, the first of which will be during the week of October 27th. Summary and Recommendation In summary, further review of moving the median and streetscape maintenance from the Parks Division to the Public Works Department will not create significant savings due to the elimination of some efficiencies currently experienced by Parks. However, communicating, discussing, and resolving such issues as irrigation water on roadway surfaces, scheduling of projects, emergency call outs, short notice schedule changes, grass clippings left at street curbs, safety issues and concerns between the two departments will enable all of us to be more efficient and productive. Transferring all of the streetscapes and median responsibilities to Public Works would require the Parks Division to duplicate similar equipment and personnel to maintain the forty-five (45) plus parks in the city. The additional set of staff and equipment does not present itself to be a viable recommendation due to our fiscal situation. Therefore, we recommend median and streetscape maintenance should remain within the Recreation and Parks Department. S:\Council Referrals\587 - Brad-2.doc RECEIVED NOVI3 2003j B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM November 7, 2003 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR~y_L_~ SUBJECT: LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AT UNDERPASS Council Referral #639 Councilmember Couch requested staff address the lack of landscape maintenance at the Calloway and Brimhall underpass. Raul Rojas to contact Craig Pope at the County for assistance. Staff sent the attached correspondence to Craig Pope. G:\GROUPDA~Referrals~003\CC Mtg 11-05\639 - Jack.doc BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1501 TRUXTUN AVENUE BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA 93301 (661) 326-3724 RAUL M. ROJAS, DIREC'YTOR . CITY I~GINEER November 7, 2003 Craig Pope, Director Kern County Roads Department 2700 M Street, Suite 400 Bakersfield CA 93301 Re: Calloway Drive Underpass of the BNSF Dear Mr. Pope: Councilmember David Couch has asked us to write you a letter regarding the condition of landscaping at the Calloway Drive'underpass of the BNSF. Staff has also noted the condition of the landscape is in disrepair. As you may recall, the City of Bakersfield was a financial participant in the project, Providing $500,000 toward its construction. As such, we feel we have a vested interest in the appearance of the finished product. Please let us know at your earliest convenience what steps are to be taken to correct this problem. If you desire technical assistance, the City has had significant experience with these types of applications. Thank you for looking into this problem. Very truly yours, Public Works Director G:\GROUPDAT\Referrals~003\CC Mtg 11-05\639 Itr.doc