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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/04 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM March 26, 2004 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: ~.0°~'(Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information 1. We do have good news this week. The third quarter sales tax information has arrived. Year-to-date, we are up 7.7% over last year, and 3.7% over the most recent budget estimate. We will build this into our budget projections. To keep it in context, however, the entire amount over our past estimate is less than one half of what the State took from us as the time gap on the VLF earlier in the year. Nonetheless, any news that is positive is a good thing. 2. The fund raising efforts to open the Beale Pool this season have resulted in contributions of $64,263, to date. That will allow us, at a minimum, to open the pool under the shortened season option. Staff will take action to get the necessary maintenance done and hire the staff. We've authorized the fundraising efforts to continue through April 15th, with the goal being to raise the additional money needed to keep the pool open for the entire eight week season. The extension is possible since we can now hire staff and do the repairs with the funds already raised. 3. The enclosed article from the March 22nd edition of the Sacramento Bee is a commentary on the strained relationship that exists between the state and local. government in California. It mentions how the Governor's proposed property tax shift could impact cities differently from counties, based on our respective financial relationships with the state. 4. The additional clean up work to remove the large structure and underground debris at The Cottages development at 21st and R Streets has been completed. The developer has requested financial assistance, due to the unexpected costs associated with the clean up. That item will appear on your next meeting agenda. 5. Periodically, we receive requests from developers to reduce the standards for' street width in residential subdivisions. A memo is enclosed from Public Works which explains the basis for the City standard on street width and the safety and practical aspects that have to be considered in street design. Honorable Mayor and City Council March 26, 2004 Page 2 6. Donna Kunz authored the enclosed article that appears in the March/April issue of Government West Magazine. The topic is about the City's success in efficiently identifying and obtaining the grant funding for the revitalization of the Old ToWn Kern/Baker Street Corridor. 7. Per the attached report prepared by Public Works, there were 17.48 total lane miles resurfaced and/or reconstructed during 2003. The report includes the street names and area description. 8. Patrons who purchase tickets to events at Centennial Garden and Convention Center now have the option to download and print their own tickets, instead of receiving them through the mail or picking them up at the box office. The announcement about the new ticketFast~ process is enclosed. 9. The February activity report from Recreation and Parks is attached for your information. 10. Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Couch · Report on the legality of parking a van advertising an adult business in a residential neighborhood; · Patrol of River Run Boulevard, west of Buena Vista Road for speeding vehicles; · Additional enforcement on River Run and Kings River; and · Investigation of noise from motorized vehicles in the Kern River bed, west of the Stockdale Highway Bridge. AT:rs cc: Department Heads Pam McCarthy, City Clerk Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst The.Sacramento Bee -- sacbee.com -- Dan Walters: Governor's charm doesn't solve iocal.govemment dilerr... Page 1 of 2 This story is taken from Dan Walters at sacbee.com. Dan Walters: Governor's charm doesn't solve local govern:ment dilemma - (Published fVlarch 22, 2004) Arnold Schwarzenegger's celebrity is such that he could make an appearance before a gathering of county supervisors last week and get a standing ovation just for showing up - the first governor in memory to do so - even though his budget proposals would treat ~ocal governments, especially counties, rather harshly. County officials beamed as the governor praised them for being on "the front lines providing the local services that are most important to the people of our state" and kept on smiling even though he didn't offer relief from a budget that would take $1.3 billion in property taxes from local governments - $900 million of it from counties - and saddle counties with additional burdens as health and welfare spending is also reduced. The governor's appearance belied the increasingly contentious relationship between state and local governments, one that could reach a climax in November with a ballot measure that would, if enacted, make it more difficult for the state to periodically raid local treasuries. The city-county coalition backing the ballot measure, however, is not rock solid. By happenstance or design, Schwarzenegger's proposal drives a significant wedge between the two local government factions. By proposing to take 70 per_cent of the property tax bite from 'counties, the governor would hit cities and their redevelopment agencies rather lightly. County government lobbyists are floating an alternative that would reduce the hit to $800 million, make it temporary rather than permanent,, and take it evenly from counties, cities, special districts and redevelopment agencies. The county effort has city officials in a dither, and .the supposed allies are fighting each other over the 2004-05 budget as they try to put together a'joint campaign for the ballot measure. City officials want to resist the entire $1.3 billion property tax shift, rather than seek a compromise, but if it happens they want to retain Schwarzenegger's division of pain. A fundamental difference between cities and counties lies at the heart of the split, and also explains why the ballot measure coalition may be shaky. County officials have long-standing structural and financial ties to the state, having traditionally operated state- financed health and welfare programs. They see themselves as stepchildren of Sacramento, and are ~less aggressive about confronting the Capitol, since the state controls so many county purse strings. Cities, on the other hand, view themselves as independent, with relatively few official connections to the state and with broad latitude in state law to adopt their own policies. Unlike counties, moreover, cities have mayors who are often influential political figures in their own right. Those differences have made it difficult for the two local government factions to agree on a strategy to stop Sacramento's depredations, with cities generally wanting to be more confrontational than counties. Just working out the wording of the proposed ballot measure has taken years. City officials see the $chwarzenegger property tax shift proposal - an expansion of a fiscal ploy first enacted a decade ago and now amounting to $5 billion a year - as an opportunity to rally popular support for the ballot measure and also fire up the local government unions whose financial support will be critical for the campaign. Any compromise, such as the one being floated by county officials, would undercut the ballot measure campaign http://www.sacbee.c~m/c~ntent/p~~itics/c~~umns/wa~ters/v~p~nt/st~ry/86~94~~p~9537627c.htm~ 3/22/2004 The Sacramento Bee -- sacbee.com -- Dan Walters: Governor's charm doesn't solve local government dilem... Page 2 of 2 by cedin§ the fundamental question, the city folks contend. However, it's easier for cities to take an aggressive stance because they have more secure and flexible local revenue sources and have relatively little dependence on state aid. The need for reform of the state-local relationship is self-evident. No matter how much Schwarzenegger and other politicians may butter up local officials, the fact remains that state politicians of all ideological stripes tend to see local treasuries as their emergency bank accounts, to be tapped whenever things get tight in Sacramento. That's not only morally suspect, but impractical. It discourages local governments from adopting long-range fiscal policies and pulls them, however reluctantly, into the state's boom-and-bust budget mode. About the Writer Reach Dan Walters at (916) 321-1195 or dwalters@sacbee.com. Back columns: www.sacbee.com/walters Go to: .S.~.¢bee / Contact Bee Customer Service ~.d.~e~tis_e Onli.~.e I ?.[i.~.a.cy.?olicy I Terms .o_f...Ll~e. I .!fl_e.!.p I .~.i.~....~.~p N~.w.~ I .Sp.o. rt$ I Bu.~.i.0._e.$$ t F~plitics I Op[0!.Q.r[ I.E.r?te. rtain~.e.o.t I .Li[es_ty. le I Travel I Women Classifieds I H.Q.m.e$ I .C.or.$ I Jobs I Shopping GU[DE..TQ. THE BEE;. I Su.bscdbe I Contacts I Ad.~erti.se I Bee...E~ents I Community !nvo!.verB~D.t [ Sacramento Bee Web sites ] Sacbe.~.,¢0_~_ 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.sacbee.c~m/c~ntent/p~~itics/ c~~umns/wa~ters/v~print/ st~ry/86~94~~p~95 3 7 6 2 7 c.htm~ 3/22/2004 RECEIVED A K E R $ F I E L ID CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT March 22, 2004 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager /~ '~ FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Narrow Local Subdivision Streets You have asked that I address requests from developers that the City reduce its standards for residential streets of 36 ft. and 44 ft. curb to curb. The most recent request was to reduce the paved width to 28 ft. With just a cursory review of design literature you can find various writers touting the virtues of streets 12 ft., 18 ft., 20 ft., 22 ft., 26 ft., 28 ft., 30 ft., 34 ft., and 36 ft. wide. Each author has reasons why he or she believes the favored design width is best. I would like to point out that our standards for residential streets are based on sound engineering criteria and practical experience. Good street design entails more than measuring the width of a vehicle and transferring it to the ground as the minimum travel lane width. Certainly an understanding of the physical characteristics of vehicles is necessary but just as important are the human limitations, needs, expectations and psychology of drivers and the public. Much of that is learned by extensive formal study but a good deal of it can be seen in how various designs have actually failed or succeeded. The City of Bakersfield Standards requires a local residential street to be a minimum of 36 feet wide, from face of curb on one side to the face of curb on the other side. For local streets with an expected higher volume of traffic, or acting as a local collector, the width may be up to 44 feet in width. A minimum width of 36 feet provides for an 8 foot wide parking space at the curb on each side of the street. This leaves a minimum of 20 feet for vehicles on the travel way, 10 feet for each direction of travel. A 40 foot wide street, which is standard for anything other than a cul-de-sac street or short or Iow- volume streets, would have a minimum of 24 feet for vehicles, or 12 foot lanes for each direction. The Caltrans Highway Design Manual recommends 12 foot lanes for local jurisdictions and requires 12 foot lanes for new State roadways. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) publication, "Geometric Design of Highways and Streets" states that lanes for moving traffic (meaning two-way traffic) should be at least 10 feet wide and, where feasible, at least 11 feet wide. If parking is allowed, AASHTO recommends a minimum of 7 feet for parking and a preference of 9 feet. This would result in a minimum local street width of no less than 7+10+10+7 = 34 feet. If the preferred widths recommended by AASHTO are used, the width is 9+11+11+9= 40 feet. The City's standard for continuing local streets (not a cul-de-sac) is 40 feet. The City's current standards conform to Alan Tandy, City Manager March 22, 2004 Page 2 recommendations and requirements of the State of California and of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. These are not just standards that traffic engineers find useful. They are also measures by which courts determine the City's liability in lawsuits involving allegations of defective design of roads where accidents occur. But to give you a sense of the practical concerns in street designs consider that standard non-commercial vehicles range in width from about 6 feet 10 inches to about 5 feet 10 inches, without mirrors. On a 36 foot wide street, this leaves the clearance between a legally parked vehicle and moving vehicle of only about 9 inches, mirror to mirror. Commercial type vehicles, such as sanitation truck or fire trucks would have even less clearance and need to take up the travel way width of both directions to use the street. The Fire Department typically needs 20 feet of clearance to avoid damage to (and from) the appurtenances that stick out from a fire engine. While neo-traditionalist and "livable communities" developers promote the concept of the narrow streets of olden days, the olden day's vehicles are not what are being driven in today's neighborhoods. Vehicles are much larger than they were in the 1920's and 30's when they could negotiate narrower streets and alleys. Based on complaints that Traffic Engineering has received over the past 24 years, narrow streets are not desirable by many people living on narrow streets nor by emergency response and community service personnel. For example this is apparent in the Alta Vista neighborhood, an area with narrow streets, houses with front facing living rooms and open porches situated close to the sidewalk. Another example would be the Rio Bravo neighborhood still under construction where the City has been severely criticized for allowing 28 ft. wide streets. These are represented as the new ideal in residential development, yet such existing neighborhoods generate complaints. Narrow streets we are being asked to approve do not meet recommended standards for street widths in California or as recommended by AASHTO. Large vehicles for refuse pickup and emergency response fire equipment are hampered by narrow streets creating hazards in emergency responses and in daily maintenance operations. Vehicles of today are larger and need the added clearance of standard street widths to safely travel a residential street. And, complaints regarding the ability to negotiate narrow existing streets indicate that "new" narrow streets will suffer the same problems as the neighborhood matures. The standards for street design are adopted to ensure the safety of those who live along them and drive on them. They should not be compromised. We have observed over the many years of working with residential street issues that people expect more of their roads than minimum passage to and from their property. First and foremost, they expect to be treated equitable in street design. They expect their guests and visitors should be able to park on the street. If parking is allowed on one side it should be allowed on the other side too. They should feel comfortable as they drive on their roads with clearance by a few feet from oncoming vehicles and side G:\GROUPDA~M2004_CMO~NarrowSubdivSL032204.doc - Page 2 of 3 Pages - Alan Tandy, City Manager March 22, 2004 Page 3 obstructions. They expect to be able to walk safely along a road not in vehicle travel lanes. The roads should not be so wide as to encourage speeding. We have found that excessive speed on residential streets is more of a problem than the number of vehicles. This, in combination with parkway sidewalks, would give the feel of a narrower street, introduce a significantly greater number of trees along the local roadway, produce more shade over the asphalt, reduce the' amount of asphalt and eventually fulfill the desired intent. c: Eric Matlock, Chief of Police Bryan Lynn, Captain - Operations Jacques R. LaRoche#e, Assistant Public Works Director Stephen L. Walker, Traffic Engineer Marian P. Shaw, Civil Engineer IV - Subdivisions Jack Hardisty, Development Services Director Ron Fraze, Fire Chief Kirk Blair, Deputy Fire Chief G:\GROUPDAT~12004_CMO~J~arrowSubdivSL032204.doc - Page 3 of 3 Pages - E GOVERNMENT Grants Locator HeLps Save Old-Town Bakersfietd BY DONNA L KUNZ, Economic and Community Development Director, City o~ Bakersfield, California California's Central Valley is one of the world's sub-grants to local organiza- most prolific locations for food production and tions for conducting cleanup processing. It is also home to the city of Bakers- of local environmental haz- field, which, with a population of 257,900, is the ards originating from crum- 13th largest city in California. With these advan- bling motels and automotive tages, one might expect Bakersfield to be a thriv- and industrial properties in lng metropolitan area. And yet, its size and Bakersfield's older commer- productivity notwithstanding~ Bakersfield contin- cial core. The revolving l°an ues to straggle economically, fund also will promote the Unemployment in the city, for instance, typi- reuse of the brownfields in cally hovers at 2% to 4% higher than the state av- Old Town Kern. By reducing erage. Unlike many California cities, Bakersfield economic and physical did not share in the Intemet boom of the late blight, the grant-funded ef- 1990s, and what economic growth has occurred forts should substantially has taken place outside the center city where land The City of Bakersfietd receives a grant check improve the economic well is less expensive. New housing developments con- secured as a resutt of their use of the Grant Locator being of the Old Town com- tinue to appear there, with big-box discount stores system. Pictured, reft to right, are Bakersfietd munity and its residents. and shopping malls following close behind. Counclt Member Sue Benham, CaUfornia State These economic shifts have caused many city Treasurer Phil AngeUdes, Tony Martinez, FINDING NEEDED GRANTS center businesses to close as consumers have membership chairman for the Association of 0rd For economically struggling flocked to suburban discount stores. One historic lown Kern (^0K), State Senator Dean Rorez, and cities like Bakersfield, grants section of downtown, the Baker Street business economic devetopment manafier Donna Kunz. can be an excellent means of district--or Old Town Kern, as locals call it--has financing redevelopment ini- been particularly battered by suburban growth. The U.S. Depart- tiatives and other important programs like parks, police, fire, ment of Commerce estimates that unemployment in Old Town public works, and libraries. Sometimes, however, securing grants Kern is nearly 20% and the poverty rate almost 40%. To some in is easier said than done. The challenge is knowing where to look Bakersfield, Old Town Kern is becoming "Empty Town Kern." while spending the minimum amount of staff time searching. To help in its grant search, the city of Bakersfield turned to FI, GHTING TO SAVE OLD TOWN KERN "Grants Locator," an e-government application created by . I<iow, the City of Bakersfield is fighting to keep businesses in Old Pasadena, California, software developer eCivis. A web-based 5~;Town Kern--through the use of state and federal grants. For ex- grant research system specifically designed to meet the needs of ample, the city's Economic Development Department received a time-pressed local governments, Grants Locator offers daily an- $143,600 planning grant to identil~ opportunities for revitaliza- nouncements of new grants as well as a searchable database of tion and economic development in the Old Town Kern/Baker more than 3,000 federal, foundation, and select state grants. The Street Corridor. Funding for the project came from the State of best part is: no additional employees are needed to deploy the California's Pollution Control Financing Authority as part of its application, as most local governments can easily put together Sustainable Communities Grant and Loan Program. The grant cross-department teams to pursue grants without having to in- was used to perform demographic and marketing assessments crease staff. and analyses, to produce a community visioning conference, and The city of Bakersfield has been a Grants Locator client for 20 to develop a strategic action plan. Following up on the plan, the months--and as the promise of economic revival in Old Town city has already begun work on a two-block mixed-use redevelop- Kern makes clear, the effectiveness of this web-based application ment project and an ll-b[ock public streetscape, speaks for itself. Bakersfield also has been awarded a Revolving Loan Fund grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Bakers- Donna L Kurtz is the Economic and Community Development Director field's Redevelopment Agency received $1 million to capitalize a for the City of Bakersfield, California. She can be reached at revolving loan fund from which the city will provide loans and 661.326.3765. IIiOUERHHEHTIIII$'II I,C~RCI'I/APRIL 20041 LANE MILES RESURFACED/RECONSTRUCTED - CALENDAR YEAR 2003 WARD STREET NAME AREA DESCRIPTION LANE MILES 2 Pheasent Ave. Saddleback Dr. to Quailwood Dr. 0.72 2 Ibis Ln. Partridge Ave. to Pheasant Ave. 0.26 2 Quailwood Dr. Quail Run to No. El Rio Dr. 0.63 2 Bob White Ct. Quailwood Dr. to the North end 0.32 2 Plover Ct. Quaiiwood Dr. to the North end 0.32 2 Egret Ct. Quailwood Dr. to the South end 0.31 2 Goshawk Ct. Quailwood Dr. to the North end 0.31 2 Quail,Run Quailwood Dr. to the South end 0.31 2 Peregrine Ct. Quailwood Dr. to the South end 0.31 2 Swan Ct. Quailwood Dr. to the South end 0.06 2 Skeet Ct. Quailwood Dr. to the North end 0.04 2 Desert Wy. Quailwood Rd. to Westfield Rd. 0.48 2 Quailridge Rd. Quailwood Dr. to Truxtun Ave. 1.25 2 Redwing Ave. Quailwood Dr. to Saddleback Dr. 0.72 2 Saddleback Dr. Redwing Ave. to Pheasent Ave. 0.68 WARD 2 - TOTAL LANE MILES ................................ 6.72 3 Juniper Ridge Ct. Panorama Dr. to the South end 0.18 3 Juniper Ridge Rd. Panorama Dr. to Copperwood Ln. 0,36 3 Copperwood Ln. Juniper Ridge Rd, to Shiloh Ranch Rd. 0.18 3 Shiloh Ranch Rd. Panorama Dr. to the South end 0.17 3 Royal Coach Cir. Fairfax Rd to Fairfax Rd, 0.52 3 Paladino Dr. Fairfax Rd. to the West end 0.17 3 Tudor Wy, Paladino Dr. to Ceder Falls Dr. 0,72 3 Royal Coach Cir. Tudor Wy. to Fair[ax Rd. 0,11 3 Dorset Ct, Dorset Dr. to the South end 0.06 3 Dorset Dr. Fairfax Rd. to Willow Grove Ln, 0.36 3 Willow Grove Ln, Ceder Falls Dr. to the South end 0,33 3 Ceder Falls Dr, Willow Grove Ln, to Tudor Wy. 0.36 3 Eissler St, Auburn St. to Charger Ave. 1.07 WARD 3 - TOTAL LANE MILES ................................ 4.59 4 Wandering Oak Dr. Scarlet Oak Blvd. to Cross Oak Dr. 0.36 4 Split Oak Ct. East end to West end 0.17 4 Cross Oak Dr. Split Oak Ct. to Valley Oak Ct. 0.36 4 Valley Oak Ct. Mountain Oak Rd. to the east end 0.36 4 Mesa Oak Dr. Canyon Oak Ln. to Blue Oak Rd. 0.36 4 Seven Oak Ct. Blue Oak Dr. to the east end 0.31 4 Willow Oak Ct. Blue Oak Dr. to the east end 0:17 4 Blue Oak Dr. Mesa Oak Dr. to WhiteOak Dr. 0.72 4 McCIoud Ct. Willow Oak Dr. to the north end 0.36 4 Soda Springs PI. Willow Oak Dr. to Live Oak Wy. 0.20 4 Live Oak Wy. Soda Springs PI. to Westpark St. 0.36 WARD 4 - TOTAL LANE MILES ............................ 3.72 7 Alexander St. San Vicente Dr. to Calcutta Dr. 0.72 7 Margalo Ave. Krista St. to Marin St. 0.39 7 Limestone Ct. Granite St. to the east end 0.06 7 Slate Ct. Marble St. to the east end 0.17 7 Marble St. Pacheco Rd. to Sandpebble Wy. 0.36 7 Sandpebble Wy. Marble St. to the east end 0.36 7 Granite St. Sandpebble Wy. to Nugget Wy. 0.36 7 Nugget Wy. Granite St. to Sara-Jane St. 0.06 WARD 7 - TOTAL LANE MILES .......................... 2.46 TOTAL LANE MILES RESURFACED/RECONSTRUCTED IN THE YEAR 2003 = 17.48 ,.,~ Page 1 of 1 Rh'onda Smiley - Street Resurfacing/Reconstruction 2003 .......... : : ~,.wr"'""'*~' ..... ::::! i iiiiii i From: Luis Peralez To: Raul Rojas Date: 3/16/2004 2:48 PM Subject: Street Resurfacing/Reconstruction 2003 CC: Brad Underwood; Marian Shaw Attached is the list of streets that we resurfaced/reconstructed (17.48 Lane Miles) in the Calendar Year 2003. 0 0 0 file://C:~Documents ¼20and ¼20SettingsXrsmiley\Loca1¼20Settings\Temp\GW} 00001 .HTM 3/22/2004 . ~ightFax 3122/2004 11:40 PAGE 001/002 Fax Server [Scott Norton - 032204 Centennial Gardens.d0~.'I .......... . ........... Page1 I ticketmaster :..., ..~: ::. ::~ ~. ~; ~ .:- ~: ~ :.:~:~ ! ~;~ ~,:.':~; ~i~!~:~ ~,".,~'.~ ~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Centennial Garden & Convention Center Launches Ticketmaster's ticketFast Technology LOS ANGELES, CA - March 22, 2004 - Ticketmaster, the world's leading ticketing company, and the Centennial Garden & Convention Center are teaming up to offer fans Ticketmaster's latest ticket delivery service, ticketFast® for purchases to Centennial Garden events. This new technology enables patrons to log-on to Tickct,naster.com and download and print their event tickets at the click ora mouse, rather than waiting for the mail or at Will Call. "We are very excited to be able to now provide our patrons with the latest in ticketing technology and convenience," said Jim Foss, executive director, Centennial Garden & Convention Center. "This system is in place in many venues across the country and we look forward to utilizing it to better serve our customers and building tenants." "We are pleased to partner with Bakersfield's premier multipurpose facility to offer residents and visitors the widest and most efficient access to tickets," said Kathy Frazer, general manager, Ticketmaster Southern California. "Since its launch, more than eight million ticketFast tickets have been printed nationwide, making it one of the most popular delivery options for consumers." Tickets to all Centennial Garden events, including concerts, t3mily shows, theatre pertbrmances and sporting events are now available using ticketFast electronic delivery which can be selected during an online or telephone ticket purchase as thc chosen delivery method. After the purchase is confirmed, event tickets are delivered immediately to the specified email account as an Adobe Acrobat file which can then be printed Q'om any computer printer. Tickets are scanned and authenticated at the Centennial Garden using a barcode that is unique to each ticketFast ticket. RECEIVED: 3/22/04 11:45AM; ->CITY OF BAKERSFIELD; #197; PAGE 2 ~ightFax 3/22/200~ 11:~0 PAGE 002~002 Fax Server [ Scott Nod0n - 032204 Centennial Gardens.doc Page 2 About Ticketmaster Ticketmaster, the world's leading ticketing company, sold 100 million tickets valued at $4.9 billion in 2003, through www.ticketmastcr.com, one of the largest e-commerce sites on the lnternet, more than 3,300 retail Ticket Center outlets and 19 worldwide telephone call centers. Ticketmaster serves more than 8,000 clients worldwide and acts as the exclusive ticketing service for hundreds of leading arenas, stadiums, performing arts venues, and theaters and is the official ticketing provider and supporter of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Ticketmaster is headquartered in West Hollywood, California and is an operating business of IAC/lnterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI). About Centennial Garden & Convention Center Opened in the fall of 1998, Centennial Garden has played host to world class concerts including Elton John, Tina Turner and the Eagles. In addition to its busy concert schedule, Centennial Garden & Convention Centcl' is home to Bakersfield Condors professional hockey, Bakersfield Blitz Arena Football, Cai State Bakersfield basketball and a pre-season home to the Los Angeles Lakers and L.A. Kings. Hosting over 120 events per year that attract over 450,000 patrons, Centermial Garden & Convention Center serves as central California's premiere entertainment venue. For more information visit: centennialgarden.com. For More Information Contact: Scott Norton Director of Marketing, Bakersfield Centennial Garden 661.852.7301 Ina Murdock Ticketmaster 3 i 0.360.2322 Ina~,tickctma.stcr.com Kandus Simpson Ticketmaster 310.360.2321 Kandus.Simpson(~ticketmaster. com RECEIVED I~R 2 ~, 2004 B A K E R $ F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: March 24, 2004 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Alan Christensen, Interim Director of Recreation and Parks Subject: Monthly Report for February Attached are the monthly activity reports for each division. If you have any questions or require additional information, please let me know. 15 A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Parks Division February 2004, Report BILL PARK GREENS IRRIGATION EXCHANGE Southwest Park area personnel and Craftworker's combined forces to change out all 54 large bore irrigation heads at Bill Park Greens. Existing sprinklers are of a design which does not pop-up very high above the turf line. This same situation occurs at the majority of our parks. As a result, irrigation problems are compounded if turf is not kept mowed lower than the height sprinklers are able to pop-up. Realizing Park mowing operations are subject to similar budgetary reductions as is the balance of Park operations, we are exploring options to minimize any negative affect caused by sprinklers. Another concern is the availability of the original style sprinkler. After decades of operation, we have heard there may be a move to discontinue this series of irrigation sprinkler. We have several thousand of these type sprinklers in service. We believe it to be a prudent move to explore replacement options now rather than wait until no replacements are available. New Acreaqe Two parcels totaling 2.97 acres were accepted into Maintenance District for Parks Division to begin maintenance responsibility. The locations include 225 trees, 1,463 shrubs and turf. In addition, three parcels totaling .80 acres and containing 83 trees and 515 shrubs was entered into a 365 maintenance period. This location will become our responsibility to maintain following successful completion of the maintenance period. PARK RESERVATIONS Cool weather trends continued throughout most of February. As expected, park reservations remained modest even allowing for the extra day offered by leap year. We had 24 reservations with an estimated attendance of 1,195 persons. PROPOSED WATER RATE INCREASES We received notice from CalWater Service Company of their proposal to raise water rates an astronomical 23.86% in 2004. At the same time, CalWater proposes additional increases of 3.5 in 2005, 2.0% in 2006 and 2.0% in 2007. Consequences of such massive rate adjustments may result in an additional cost of $60-70,000. CalWater rates are already 70% above City Water rates! Other water companies have indicated they are considering increase in the range of 5% in 2004. These increases could cost an additional $15-20,000. B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: March 15, 2004 To: Allen Abe, Assistant Recreation and Parks Director From: Ken Trone, Park Construction and Facilities Planner' Subject: Parks Department Planning and Construction Activity Planning The Park Master Plan has been completed for the City in the Hills Project in northeast Bakersfield. The plan generally locates about 29 acres of park land at 4 locations within the project. A consultant has been selected to develop plans and specifications for the Wayside Park Playground Rehabilitation Project. Construction should be complete in late summer of 2004. A 10,000 square foot vacant area to the west of the new Convention and Visitors Bureau will be improved into a mini-park with landscape and hardscape improvements. The Veterans Memorial Park Committee has shown an interest in collaborating with the city to provide a memorial at the site within a 20' radius "center piece" of the mini-park. The city's landscape and hardscape improvements should be complete within the next few months. The Veteran's are currently gathering support and discussing design criteria. The Planz Park Wet Play Area Project is proceeding into the design phase. City Public Works and Recreation and Park Staff will work together with vendors to develop the design and create plans and specifications. Construction is scheduled for completion late this summer. Construction Most of the underground improvements are complete at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Swimming Pool Rehabilitation Project. Progress is on scheduled for an opening in early June. Grants The City of Bakersfield has entered into fully executed contracts with the State of California to encumber 2002 Resource Bond Act Funds (Proposition 40). The Per Capita Grant Program is estimated at $1,021,000 and the Roberti-Z'berg- Harris Block Grant Program is estimated at $628,356. Specific projects have not been identified; however, funds can be used for land acquisition and/or development of park facilities. B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parl s Date: March 3, 2004 To: Sally Ihmels, Recreation Superintendent From: Linda McVicker, Recreation Supervisor Subject: Monthly Report for February ADULT SOFTBALL We mailed out fliers and rosters to our Fall Softball League participants to advertise our up coming Spring League. The last day to register for the Spring League was February 27th. We now have 90 teams signed up for the fall League. We have 66 men's teams and 24 co-recreational teams. That gives us a total of 1,800 participants. Games will begin on March 8th. LOWELL NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY CENTER All of the supplies and equipment was taken from the Lowell Neighborhood Community Center. We cleaned the center on February 25 so it would be ready to return to the Senior Center as of March 1st. UP COMING EVENTS We have several sports events coming up for Spring and Summer. Frisbee Golf will begin on Saturday, April 17th. Pee Wee Track will begin on Saturday, May 8th. T-Ball -- will begin on Saturday, June 12. C:"'.Document,~ .:~nd Settir~g:~;\sf(,'.rsyth\Lo(;a Seti:ir~g,~;\T'emp\February Rel' )rLdoc LMC B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Monthly Report February 2004 Dr Martin Luther Kinq Jr. Community Center Youth Activities Sports. Youth Basketball Our grass roots sports program continued this month with basketball, we have had three games thus far in each age's category. Our 12 and under team is 2 and 1 with the lone loss coming to the Friendship House 27 to 28 in over time. The 13-15 boys have played twice winning both games and receiving a forfeit the last game. Dance Troupe Our troupe performed in the black history parade on 2-28-04 and once again represented our center very well. All the youth and instructor deserve a very hardy job well done. Special Event The Kern School Credit Union once again sponsored a Harlemglobtrotter to come to the center on Feb 13, 2004 from 4pm to 5pm this is an annual event that has been very well received by the children. Rentals We had three rentals this month, Bethel School, Concern Nonpartisan Black American Voters, and Community Action Partnership, for a total of $266.00 Dean Jones Page 1 3/2/2004 2:16 PM B A K E R S F I E L D DATE: March 1, 2004 TO: Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager FROM: Holly Larson, Supervisor RE: February Monthly Report Aquatics: Our second aquatic manager assessment was held on February 7. Sixteen applicants participated. Pool management staff has been selected. Interviews have been continuing for aquatic specialists for the 2003-04 season. Fifty-six candidates have been selected thus far. Positions are filling quickly due to the reduction in pool staff. We will be maintaining a waiting list of those interested to fill any vacancies that occur in the future. Aquatics Club of Bakersfield is currently renting Silver Creek Pool for swim practices. Aqua Yoga and Aqua Fitness classes are scheduled in the evenings at Silver Creek. There were no sign ups for the February Aqua Fitness class. The high schools began using Silver Creek and Jastro pools beginning February 2, 2O04. Leisure Classes: Re.qistered Total Monthly Attendance Ballroom Dancing 16 48 Aqua Yoga 1 4 C:\Documents and Settings~sforsyth\Local Settings\Temp\monthly report.docC:\Documents and Settings~sforsyth\Local Settings\TempLmonthly report.doc 3/3/20048:21 AM B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parl s Date: March 2, 2004 To: Alan Christensen, Interim Director From: Terri Elison, Recreation Supervisor Subject: February Monthly Report Silver Creek After School Proqram ......................... 475 Attendance ......................... 27 Average Daily Attendance Silver Creek After School Program celebrated Valentine's Day, President's Birthday, and the Super Bowl this month. Highlights included a Super Bowl Tail Gate Party, a treasure hunt, a Cyclops puppet show, learning patriotic poems, creating sail boats, and making a variety of different holiday crafts. ATTENDANCE FIGURES Silver Creek Rentals ................................................... $680 (Figure does not include deposits) The Silver Creek multi-purpose room and/or pavilion were rented one time the month of February due to the budget situation. The center was rented for an 80th birthday party. Total attendance was approximately 100. Classes at Silver Creek: # Registered Total Attendance Ballet & Gym (6 - 11) .13 52 Ballet & Gym (3 - 5) 15 66 Calligraphy Workshop no class no class Chess no class no class Clogging 22 88 Dance & Gym (4-5) 4 16 Dance & Gym (2-3) 7 25 Dog Obedience no class no class Guitar 6 24 Jewelry Making (Beading) no class no class Kardio Kick 14 84 Karate 20 160 8:59 AM 3/3/2004 C:\Documents and Settings\sforsyth\Local Settings\Temp\Terfi Feb 2004 Report.doc C~eated by Telison Knitting & Crocheting 4 12 Pilates no class no class Tai Chi 9 54 Tennis (Child-Beg & Int.) 7 56 Upholstery 10 40 Yoga · 2 16 TOTAL 133 696 Classes at Other Facilities # Registered Total Attendance Siemon Park Tennis (Child) 6 24 Tennis (Adult) no class no class All Star Dance Studio Dance & Gym (2 Y2 - 4) 3 12 Dance & Gym (4- 5) 1 4 American Academy of Gymnastics Gymnastics (4 - 5) 2 8 Corp Yard Lunch Room Cartooning 6 24 TOTAL 18 72 Attendance Silver Creek Center: Rentals ......................................... 100 Classes ........................................ 696 Registrations Taken: 144 After School Program ................ 475 # of Guests Served: 282 (The # of Guests sewed does not include registration) TOTAL .................... 1,271 8:59 AM 3/3/2004 C:~)ocuments and Settings\sforsyth\Local SettingsWemp\Terri Feb 2004 Report.doc Created by Telison B A K E R S F ! E L D MEMORANDUM TO' Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Jack Hardisty, Development Services(Director~. DATE: March 24, 2004 SUBJECT: Van Advertising Adult Business / Referral 'No. 686 Councilmember Couch requested staff look into the legality of parking a van which advertises an adult business in a residential neighborhood. Contact Carol Nichols. Provide picture of van to city attorney. Code enforcement has tried several times to locate the van and take pictures with no success. Code enforcement has not received a picture of the van from Carol Nichols. Pictures have been taken of an SUV which is said to have the same advertisements as the van but it was out of town and advertised a Westminster business. If that is the case, then the van would not be in violation of the municipal code. We will continue to watch for the van. As with other work vehicles the municipal code does not prohibit the van's presence in a residential area. BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: ERIC W. MATLOCK, CHIEF OF POLIC, E, ~.,~ By: William R. Rector, Assistant Chief i/~ ~'' DATE: March 26, 2004 SUBJECT: Speeding on River Run Boulevard Council Referral No. 727 (Ward 4) IVice Mayor Couch requested the police department patrol River Run Boulevard, west of I Buena Vista Road for speeding vehicles. I Vice Mayor Couch's request was assigned to Capt. Taylor at the West Side Substation for follow-up. River Run is a collector street and the legal speed limit is currently 65 mph. Captain Taylor has communicated with City Traffic Engineering and an official survey is being conducted for the purpose of recommending a speed reduction to 45 mph. Police staff has not been conducing speed enforcement on River Run since the speed limit by law is 65 MPH. Further, staff has not utilized the radar trailer due to the concern that it will encourage those driving less than 65MPH to speed up. Violators would need to be traveling 5-10 mph over or 70-75 MPH for staff to enforce speed with radar. Council approval of the recommended speed change by Traffic Engineering and posting the speed limit will enable officers to provide radar enforcement and utilize the radar trailer to remind drivers to reduce speed when traveling in the area. In the interim police staff will increase their presence in the area of River Run and Kings River in an effort to increase public awareness and possibly enforce "failure to yield" violations in the area of school bus drop off locations. EWM/TDT/vrf BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER ERIC W. MATLOCK, CHIEF OF POLICE ._ 1 FROM: By: William Rector, Assistant Chief DATE: March 26, 2004 SUBJECT: Traffic Patrol on River Run Council Referral No. 736 (Ward 4) IVice Mayor Couch requested police provide additional enforcement on River Run and Kings River. I This is an ongoing/duplicate referral. Captain Tim Taylor of the West Side Substation has been in contact with Council Member Couch and Traffic Engineering. Traffic Engineering will seek Council approval in the near future to reduce the legal speed limit from 65 mph to 45 mph. Police staff will increase patrol in the area and enforce possible traffic related violations in proximity to school bus drop off locations. Staff will concentrate speeding enforcement efforts when the legal speed limit is approved for reduction and posted in the area. EWM/TDT/vrf BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: ERIC W. MATLOCK, CHIEF OF POLICE i Al~/U/ By: William R. Rector, Assistant Chief of Police DATE: March 26, 2004 SUBJECT: Vehicle Noise at Kern River Bed Council Referral No. 726 (Ward 4 ) ICouncil Member Couch requested the police department investigate noise from motorized I vehicle(s) in the Kern River Bed. Kern River West of Stockdale Highway bridge. I Council Member Couch's request was referred to Captain Tim Taylor of the West Side Substation. Officers conducted patrol of the area on Sunday, March 21, 2004 and no violations were observed. Staff will continue to check the area as manpower allows. TDT/vrf