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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/01/04 B ~A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM October 1,2004 TO: Honorable Mayor and City C~ ~/ FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information 1. Best wishes to Development Services Director, Jack Hardisty, who has announced his retirement for the end of the calendar year! 2. In several instances during the fiscal crisis, we "split positions" or essentially gave an individual dual jobs to reduce costs. This week, one of those, Derrill Whitten, who had a combined role in Wastewater and Water Resources, announced he is moving to the private sector. We wish him well. This points out, however, our vulnerability in these instances. Now we have major holes to fill in both Wastewater and Water, and that will be challenging. 3. An update on redevelopment activities in the downtown and near vicinity is enclosed. 4. The 50-meter pool at McMurtrey Aquatic Center will be drained and out of operation from October 1st through the 11th for winter maintenance. Staff has issued notification, so users can relocate to the activity pool or other facilities during that time. 5. As you are aware, there has been a high level of community interest in organizing an event to honor our four local Olympic athletes. The ceremony has been set for Sunday, October 24th at McMurtrey Aquatic Center at 2:00 p.m. We are coordinating with some of the media and several local businesses for sponsorships to cover the related costs. The press release announcing the event is enclosed for your information. Honorable Mayor and City Council October 1, 2004 Page 2 6. Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Ma.q.qard · Updated information from Major League Dreams on their programs for construction and operation of baseball facilities; Councilmember Couch · Status on landscape maintenance at five locations (see attached memo); · Access to the Olive Drive extension; · Citizen concern regarding violations of the sign ordinance; · Code enforcement actions near River Ranch Drive; Councilmember Sullivan · Protect block walls from graffiti; Councilmember Salva,q.qio · List of ongoing projects and upcoming CIP projects for Ward 7; · Graffiti abatement of areas on Panama Lane. AT:rs cc: Department Heads Pam McCarthy, City Clerk Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst BAKERSFIELD Economic and Community Development Department MEMORANDUM September 28, 2004 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manage~/b~U~./~F~'/ FROM: Donna L. Kunz, Economic Development Director SUBJECT: Update on Downtown Redevelopment Activities Several housing and commercial projects are underway downtown and in the near vicinity. Attached is a brief overview of this activity. C:\DOC U ME~l\dscanlan\LOCALS~l\Temp~ATmemoupdate2.doc RECENT AND CURRENT DOWNTOWN PROJECTS VILLAGE AT TOWNE CENTRE Assistance was provided for the new Village at Towne Center project at the former Sangera Buick site. This assistance involved acquiring a vacant CalTrans-owned parcel at 24th and "M" streets to provide .adequate parking for new 41,000 square foot upscale mixed use project that will include Starbucks Coffee, New City Cleaners, and Western Dental Centers, among others. Site has been graded and pads prepared for construction that will begin shortly. 900 TRUXTUN AVENUE To facilitate the relocation of the Visitors and Convention Bureau, the EDCD office was demolished in front of the Amtrak Station to provide a new location for the VCB. EDCD and the Recreation and. Parks relocated to the office constructed at 900 Truxtun. The new three story building is almost fully leased. AB DICK/IPS RENOVATION At 18th and "M" streets, long-time downtown firm AB Dick/IPS recently completed a major expansion. The company added a second floor to handle its growing business. FEDERAL COURTHOUSE PROJECT The General Services Administration has sent out an RFP for developer submittals to construct a new Federal Courthouse facility in Bakersfield. Two developers have proposed sites on separate city blocks near Truxtun & "O" streets. The RDA is supporting the downtown locations by providing potential acquisition assistance. There may be other sites being proposed outside the downtown area. The GSA will be making a decision on the site location and developer by the end of the year. pARKVlEW'COTTAGES AT CENTRAL PARK Directly north of Central Park, local developer (Petrini Homes) was selected to construct 74 single family homes. These homes, known as Parkview Cottages will feature urban living with smaller lots. The development will emphasize architectural details and landscaping. Site and pads are currently being prepared, with construction to begin shortly. The homes will be the first single family housing built near downtown in many years. ASSISTANCE LEAGUE RELOCATION In order to facilitate the new development surrounding the McMurtrey Aquatics Center and Ice Rink, the Assistance League needed to be relocated. The City assisted in acquisition of the long vacant State Employment Office at 1924 "Q" Street. Assistance League was also provided EPA grant funding to clean up asbestos in the building. The building is currently being remodeled for the anticipated relocation move around the end of the year. SAN JOAQUIN HOSPITAL EXPANSION The hospital is under development on a $100 million dollar tower addition. A planned new parking garage will also be included. Hospital officials are also exploring interim parking: alternatives. Discussions with staff have occurred about the possible phased future funding of median and street tree improvements to Games Circle. Staff is exploring grant and financing opportunities. POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT NEAR CANAL Staff has been in discussion with a developer/owner for a mixed use condominium and commercial project planned on a vacant parcel located south of Veteran's Memorial Park on 20th near the Kern Island Canal. 22ND AND "R" STREETS Sixty senior rental units are planned at 22n~ and "R" streets with the Housing Authority MILL CREEK- Urban Creek Project The City has developed the Mill Creek conceptual improvement plan for the downtown canal from just north of Central Park to California Avenue. The improvement plan includes canal improvements, exercise areas, art areas, walking path, designed to enhance the commercial/residential potential for downtown. The project has been submitted to the State for $3 Million in grant funds that should be announced by the end of the year. The project has already received $282,000 in grant funding through KernCOG for the installation of a pedestrian walking path along the canal. Staff is seeking additional funding sources for the Mill Creek Project. PADRE HOTEL Padre Hotel owners are still trying to resolve issues they are having with the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District, so that the project can be re-start. SNIDER'S CYCLERY Snider's Cyclery has opened its new shop at Union Avenue and Niles Street. HOUSING AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS The Housing Authority recently completed its new headquarters building at 601 24th Street. EYE STREET PARKING STRUCTURE AUTOMATION Downtown's public parking garage is in the process of being automated. The goal is to eliminate the need for full-time staffing at the garage. City staff would operate the garage. Free time parking with delineated time limits would be available on the first floor. Monthly parkers would park on the upper floors. JC PENNEY BUILDING PROJECT Commercial space is in the process of being leased up at the former JC Penney Building. Developer Rob Moore is seeking tenants to enhance this long time downtown structure. BAKER STREET REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT Progress continues on acquiring property for a mixed-use project on Baker Street. Relocation of existing users and developer negotiations are underway. The project, located along Baker Street. between Kentucky and Lake Streets, is expected to include new and rehabilitated retail and office space, housing, and a community plaza. BAKER STREETSCAPE PROJECT Attractive landscaping and new street lighting were installed along Baker Street using $490,000 through HUD's Special Economic Development Initiative (EDI) funding. In June 2004, property owners formed a maintenance district for Phase I1. Project is currently pending receipt of additional monies to start the construction process. CDBG monies in the amount of $300,000 have already been allocated. BAKER STREET COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC STRATEGY Funded through a State grant, three community workshops were held to help develop a strategy for comprehensive approaches to housing rehabilitation and development; community improvements and services; and retail and business services in the Baker Street area. The strategy was presented to Council in October 2003 and has been posted on the web site. A November town hall meeting to discuss the plan is scheduled. 19TM & EYE STREET INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT The re-design of the intersection is on hold until surface water runoff is surveyed and evaluated. Staff discovered that the existing east/west culvert on the north side of the intersection is collapsing. The culvert may need to be re-designed prior to other intersection improvements. CITY PLACE RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT PROJECT Maya Cinemas North America and D.W. Sivers have acquired all but one small vacant residential lot required for the development of a 16 screen theater and 30,000 square feet of commercial space. The remaining vacant lot is under condemnation proceedings through the RDA to achieve a quiet title action. This action is expected to be resolved in the next few months. The developers are reviewing several financing plans for the theater. Resolution of the financing should be completed by the end of the year. DOWNTOWN HOUSING URBAN BAKERSFIELD PLAN A variety of housing opportunities are planned to include a variety of product types - from single family detached homes to multi-story family rental units. The City hopes to encourage the development of several housing products that will provide housing opportunities for a mix of income levels. Under the plan, over 600 new housing units will ultimately be developed in the eastern area of downtown over the next 5 years, located within the boundaries of Union Avenue, California Avenue, Golden State and "N "Streets. "N" STREET HOUSING PROJECT Golden Empire Affordable Housing Inc., (Housing Authority GEAHI) plans to develop 60 units of affordable urban style family housing near "N" Street, 14th Street and California Avenue. This project will provide over 60 units of quality designed and well managed affordable new family apartments for our citizens. This project is planned as a critical housing component of City Place Urban Village and is an important part of our overall Housing Urban Bakersfield Plan. CALIFORNIA AVENUE One hundred and eighty senior units are currently being built at California Avenue. "Q" AND 14TM STREETS Development of 100 units of affordable family apartments and 30 for sale-town homes are under exploration with D.W. Sivers and Ray Olmsheid. S:\Bakersfield RDA\Downtown Projects list 9-04.doc B~.-A K E' .i.R. S F I'...~.'E L D.- CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM September 30, 2004 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Alan Christensen, Interim Recreation and Parks Director~--~~ SUBJECT: Draining of McMurtrey 50 Meter Pool The 50 meter pool at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center will be drained after programming ends on Friday, October 1, 2004 for winter maintenance. The 50 meter pool, only, will be closed to all swimmers until Monday, October 11, 2004. Users have been notified and relocated if possible to the activity pool or to other facilities during this time. City of Bakersfield · KGET- Channel 17 · The Bakersfield Californian Valley Plaza · Pepsi Bottling Co. · Frito- Lay · Kern Trophies PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Rhonda Smiley Friday, October 1, 2004 City Manager's Office Public Relations (661) 326-3753 COMMUNITY CELEBRATION TO HONOR LOCAL OLYMPIC MEDAL WINNERS Sunday, October 24th will be a special day in Bakersfield! McMurtrey Aquatic Center will be the setting for a community celebration to honor Kern County's Olympic athletes. Hosted by Councilmember Sue Benham and KGET-Channel 17's Robin Mangarin and Jim Scott, the ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. Local dignitaries have been invited to offer their congratulations to the athletes and members of the Bakersfield High School Band and "Steel Dreams", from Garces High, will provide music for the occasion. Kern County is very proud of our four local Olympians who achieved the pinnacle of success in their respective competitions during the 2004 Summer Olympics. Gabe Woodward, a Stockdale High graduate, won_ a bronze medal in the Mens' 4 x 100 meter relay; Rebecca Giddens, a part-time Kernville resident, won a silver medal in the Womens' K1 kayak slalom; Larsen Jensen, who graduated from Garces High School, won a silver medal in the 1,500 meter freestyle competitive swim; and Joey Hansen, .a Bakersfield High School graduate, won a gold medal in the Mens' Eight Rowing event. Councilmember Benham has received an overwhelming amount of support in coordinating the October 24th celebration. It will be a great opportunity to recognize Woodward, Giddens, Jensen, and Hansen for their impressive achievements and to express our appreciation to them for proudly representing Bakersfield and Kern County at the 2004 Olympic Games. McMurtrey Aquatic Center is at 1325 Q Street; parking will be available in the lot located on the north side of the facility. For more information, please contact Rhonda Smiley at 326-3753. B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: September 28, 2004 To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members From: Alan Christensen, Interim Recreation and Parks Director~'~-~ Subject: Major League Dreams City staff held a conference call with representatives from Big League Dream last week. Their company specializes in constructing and operating high quality baseball and softball fields. The unique twist they provide is a "big league" fagade that is similar to classic major league ball parks such as Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field, and Dodger Stadium. In our discussions, Major League Dreams stated their preferred Bakersfield location would be Mesa Marin Sports Complex. They estimate that the five (5) field complex would cost $4 to $6 million to upgrade to their standard. This would include 3 "replica fields", lights, concession building, irrigation, turf, spectator seating, and batting cages, etc. The current "concession" building structure could be re-modeled to Major League Dreams standards saving a large amount of money in construction costs. This structure is necessary to generate necessary concession revenue to make the facility profitable. Big League Dreams takes overall operations and revenue collections, and charges nothing to cities to operate the facilities. They use a percentage revenue sharing arrangement with their municipal clients. They also indicate that significant revenue could be generated for the City. We met with Big League Dreams over a year ago regarding this same concept. At the time, they indicated that all capital costs and financing would be the City's responsibility. Since that time they indicated that they now have the ability to provide capital financing. However, when we asked them about that possibility, they did not indicate how or what terms are available. They did state that public financing is much cheaper that any product they could provide, and that shared revenue going to the City could be used to pay off any debt burden. Major League Dreams has constructed and is currently running four (4) softball/baseball complexes in California: Cathedral City, Chino Hills, Mira Loma (Riverside area) and Redding. Two other facilities are located out of state in League, Texas and Mansfield, Texas. Currently, Major League Dreams has three other complexes here in California, either out to bid or in the design stage. At this point, we are not close to having the ability to generate the needed revenue to build such a facility. It also does there appear to be a sufficient revenue stream to pay debt service if a capital financing approach were to be considered. 'RECEIVED SEP 3 0 2004 · CITY MANAGER'S. DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS DATE: September 29, 2004 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Alan Christensen, Director of Recreation and Parks fi~/~// / SUBJECT: Landscape Maintenance Ref000925 (WARD 4) Vice-Mayor Couch requested staff conduct major landscape maintenance at the following locations: 1) Stockdale Hwy. between Calloway and Buena Vista 2) Buena Vista, South of Stockdale Hwy 3) Ming Ave., East of Calloway 4) Up Old River, North of Stockdale Hwy. 5) East side of Grand Lakes, North of Ming Listed below is the status of the five (5) locations: 1. About 50% of the trimming and weeding is complete with the'other 50% to be finished in two (2) weeks. 2. This area has been completed. 3. The trimming of this area should be completed within two (2) weeks. 4. The trimming has been completed. 5. The trimming in this area is finished. B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM September 30, 2004 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR~ SUBJECT: ACCESS TO OLIVE DRIVE EXTENSION Council Referral #930 Vice-Mayor Couch requested staff provide a response to the concern from Mike O'Hearn regarding prohibiting access to the Olive Drive extension between Verdugo and Jewetta. This section of Olive Drive has been open to traffic in both directions since approximately September 20, 2004. There may be temporary lane detours or restricted speeds in the future related to the development and construction along the frontage of this section of road. G:\GROUPDAT~Referrals~2004\09-22\930 - Stuart.doc MEMORANDUM ........ -~ " September 29, 2004 ... ..~ , TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: VIRGINIA GENNARO, CITY ATTORNE/~[~ % SUBJECT: SIGN ORDINANCE VIOLATION COUNCIL REFERRAL NO. 000933 Councilmember Couch requests that staff address a concern from Terry Maxwell regarding election signs and sign ordinance violations. City Attorney's office responded with the attached letter. VG/do S:\COU NCIL\Referrals\04-05 ReferTals~vlemo-sig nage. doc ° "CI~YATTORNEY Virginia Gennaro DEPUTY ClTYATTORNEYS Alan D. Daniel Alien M. Shaw Robert M. Sheffy CITY OF BAKERSFIELD OFFICE OFTltE CITYA'I"FORNEY 1501 TRUXTUN AVENUE BAKERSFIELD. CA 93301 TELEPHONE: 661-326-3721 FACSIMILE: 661-852-2020 September 28, 2004 Terry L. Maxwell T.L. Maxwell's Restaurant & Bar '1412-17th Place Alley Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Dear Mr. Maxwell: This letter is in response to your comments at the September 22, 2004 City Council meeting.. The Code Enforcement division of Development Services responds primarily on a complaint basis. Given your concerns over the sign in question, Code Enforcement will investigate the situation as soon as possible and issue correction notices if warranted. If you have any further questions please feel free t© contact either me or Jack Hardisty, Development Services Director, at (661) 326-3681. V~GINIA/GENNARO City Attorney VG:do cc: Jack Hardisty, Development Services Director S:\COUNCIL\Referrals\04-05 Referrals\Signage-Maxw~ll 9-22-04.doc · RECE VE B A K E R S F I E L D ,' ...............j{ ' MEMORANDUM ' TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: .~Jack Hardisty, Development Services Director DATE: September 29, 2004 SUBJECT: Mattresses and debris adjacent to River Ranch Drive/Referral No. 931 Vice-Mayor Couch requested staff to address the problem of old mattresses, dead Christmas trees, etc. dumped on the Froehlich home site located on the east side of River Ranch, south side of Brimhall Avenue. Code enforcement investigated illegal dumping at the above location on September 28, 2004, in the field adjacent to the southerly end of River Ranch Drive. A mattress, box springs and a relatively minimal amount of discarded household items were found and abated by Code Enforcement resources. Adjacent homeowners have filso deposited tree trimmings and etc. over the wall and into the field. Appropriate actions will be taken to abate. Note: The response to this referral deals with the protective sealants portion of the referral. The referral also requests information on using plantings/shrubs as a deterrent. Per Raul, this portion of the referral is best addressed by Parks under separate cover. ~ i I OCT - I 200~, B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM September 30, 2004 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/~~ SUBJECT: PROTECT BLOCK WALLS FROM GRAFFITI Council Referral #936 Councilmember Sullivan requested staff research the feasibility of using plantings and shrubs to protect the City's block walls from graffiti in the Stonecreek Area. Research the feasibility of treating the walls with protective sealants to reduce graffiti damage. Staff has researched the use of protective sealants with one of our prominent paint suppliers. This supplier has a line of anti- graffiti coatings and specialized graffiti removal products that must be used with these coatings. Using the manufacturer's estimates, staff has determined the following: These coatings require proper preparation and cleaning, the application of a "base" coat followed by two coats of a "finish" coat. The finish coat must be 'applied within 48 hours of the "base" coat. If this surface is subsequently tagged, a specific remover must be used to facilitate the removal of the graffiti. This is an expensive process. Staff has determined this would cost approximately $205.00 for each 125 square foot of surface. This equates to approximately 18 linear feet of a 7 foot tall block wall. Therefore, if there was 100 linear feet of wall, it would cost about $1,140 to install the protective coating. In addition, the City would need the specific removal product that is $80.00 per gallon. These type products appear better suited for small specific objects rather than large block wall applications. G:\GROUPDAT~Referrals~O04\09-22~936 - Brad.doc SEP 3 o 2oo~ I i B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM September 30, 2004 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM' RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR~-.--~_ SUBJECT: WARD 7 LIST OF PROJECTS Council Referral #945 Councilmember Salvaggio requested staff prepare a list of ongoing projects and upcoming CIP projects for the next few years in Ward 7. The current Capital Improvement Program Five-Year Plan (2004-2009) includes the following projects in Ward 7: Current Projects Bridge Construction, Hosking Road at SR99 Bridge Construction, White Lane at SR99 Emergency Generators for Fire Stations 10 & 13 New Traffic Signal, Berkshire Road at Monitor Street Pool Improvements, Planz Park Street Improvements, Right Turn Lane, Ming Avenue at SR99 North Bound On-Ramp Street Improvements, Widen Ming Avenue, Edna Street to Anita Lane Street Improvements, Widen Panama Lane, Castlepoint Street to Wible Road Wet Play Area, Planz Park Future Year Projects New Traffic Signal, Akers Road at Pacheco Road New Traffic Signal, Berkshire Road at South H Street New Traffic Signal, Hosking Road at Wible Road New Traffic Signal, Pacheco Road at Gasoline Alley Drive New Traffic Signal, Planz Road at Agate Street New Traffic Signal, South H Street at McKee Road New Traffic Signal, Wible Road at Prairie Lane New Traffic Signal, Wilson Road at Fremont Street New Traffic Signal, Wilson Road at South K Street G:\GROUPDA~Referrals~2004\09-22\945 - Arnold.doc K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY OF BAKERSFIELD MEMORANDUM September 30, 2004 TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM' RAUL M. ROJAS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SUBJECT: GRAFFITI AREAS ON PANAMA LANE Council Referral #947 Councilmember Salvaggio requested staff address the issue of graffiti at the following locations: 1) A masonry wall on a vacant lot at the northeast corner of Akers Road and Panama Lane; and 2) .A masonry wall to the east of Akers Road on the north side of Panama Lane (same intersection) The graffiti at the listed addresses was removed on Friday, September 24, 2004, by the Anti-Graffiti team. G:\GROUPDAT~Referrals~004\09-22\947 - GS.doc "