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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/29/2003 B A K E R S F I E L D Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Sue Benham - Irma Carson Staff: Alan Christensen SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE of the City Council - City of Bakersfield Wednesday, October 29, 2003 1:30 p.m. City Manager's Conference Room - City Hall 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 201, Bakersfield, CA AGENDA 1. ROLL CALL 2. ADOPT MAY 12, 2003 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Kern Veterans' Report on Veterans Memorial Park Design Concepts - Christensen 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and Committee recommendation on International Square - Christensen 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 7. ADJOURNMENT S:~C~2.003 Community Services Committee~cs03Oct29agen.doc B A K E R S F I E L D ~ ~/~**~' Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Alan Tandy, City Manager Sue Benham Staff: Alan Christensen Irma Carson AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMII'rEE SPECIAL MEETING Monday, May 12, 2003, 1:30 p.m. Suite 201, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 1. ROLL CALL Called to Order at 1:35 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan, Chair; Sue Benham; and Councilmember Irma Carson (arrived at 1:40 p.m.) 2, ADOPT FEBRUARY 19, 2003 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4, DEFERRED BUSINESS 5, NEW BUSINESS A. Staff report and Committee recommendation regarding Beale Park Band Concerts Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford provided a memo and gave an overview of the history of the summer concerts held at Beale Park. In response to the current budget crisis, staff had recommended the concerts at Beale Park be eliminated. This recommendation was based on several factors including: This program is supported entirely by the general fund. The high cost of the concerts in comparison to similar events offered by the City. · Low attendance compared to other free events ('for example the movie at Silver Creek had an estimated 900 people in attendance). · Lack of staff to support the event. (Staff to transport chairs; clean the amphitheater before the event; standby during event in case of emergency, power failures, etc.; and to clean up the following day.) Agenda Summary Report D~AFT Community Services Committee Meeting Monday, May 12, 2003 Page - 2 - Since the decision to eliminate the concerts, staff has received three or four calls from individuals who expressed interest in soliciting funds to "save" the concerts. However, to date, staff has not heard anything further or received any commitments. In response to an earlier referral from Councilmember Benham, staff researched the cost per concert and it is approximately $3,000. Last year there were seven concerts. Mr. Richard Francisco spoke regarding the concerts and offered to sponsor the July 6th patriotic concert. He stated that their group would be willing to set up the chairs. Committee Member Benham asked staff to follow up on the calls that were received from citizens interested in helping with the concerts, as she is very interested in pursuing public/private partnerships to save the concerts. Ms. Benham stated she has received commitments from the private sector for $3,000 (two donors at $1,500 each) and has calls out to other potential donors. Her goal is to find eight more donors at the $1,500 level to try to have five concerts plus the one Mr. Francisco has offered to sponsor. All the donor names could be listed on the programs for the concert series. City Manager Alan Tandy explained there are only a limited number of events the current staff can cover, so staffing the band concerts may mean cutting other events. Ten vacant positions have not been budgeted in the Recreation and Parks budget and 160 part-time temporary positions have been cut. The City Manager agreed to find staff for the July 6'' patriotic concert. Using a smaller sized band was discussed. The Committee decided as the funding will be from private donations, donors will expect the same size concert band as we have had in the past. The dates suggested were June 22, 29, and July 6, 13, 20, and 27. In the past, general fund monies were committed in order to have a contract in place. Mr. Francisco agreed he could still organize the band concerts if he had a definite commitment before June 1st. Committee Member Benham made a motion to forward the following recommendations to the City Council meeting on May 28th: 1 ) Move forward with the July 6th concert sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Francisco. 2) It is the Committee's intention to have sponsorship commitments in hand by the May 28th Council meeting, and if the donations are in hand, recommend to the Council concerts on June 22, 29, and July 6 (sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Francisco), 13, 20, and 27. 3) If the contributions are not forthcoming, the last concert(s) could be canceled. The Committee unanimously approved the recommendation. Agenda Summary Report AFT. Community Services Committee Meeting Monday, May 12, 2003 Page - 3- 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Staff attendance: City Manager Al'an Tandy, City Attorney Bart Thiltgen, Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen, Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford; Assistant Finance Director Nelson Smith; Sally Ihmels, Recreation and Parks. Others: Richard T. Francisco. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council S:~AC~2002ComSer~03may12summary.doc , BAKERSFIELD Economic and Community Development Department MEMORANDUM l ~)¢,~ ~ October 22, 2003 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager ..(~. FROM: Donna Kunz, Economic Development Directo~ Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: Community Services Committee Report Regarding International Square Background: Historically, International Square was developed by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company railroad as a place for their employees to socialize, play board games, and gather with their families. For reasons unknown, in 1970 the City of Bakersfield entered into a lease with the railroad to use the railroad property for beautification purposes. The lease states that the City agrees to keep the area free and clear of rubbish and to maintain the area in a neat and safe condition. The lease also states that the City is liable for injuries to persons in the park arising from the use of the park. Over the last 33 years, the lease has remained in existence and the City has continued to maintain the park. Unfortunately, over time, the park has become a magnet for an increasing transient population and a focal point for illegal activity, contributing to a negative image for the Baker Street area. In an attempt to address the negative situations at the park, a group of representatives from the City of Bakersfield, Association of Old Town Kern, Bakersfield Rescue Mission, and the Old Town Kern-Pioneer Redevelopment Project Area Committee began meeting in April 2001. The end result was the development of an action plan that aimed to address numerous issues associated with the deterioration of International Square. The focus of this group effort was to clean up International Square and Baker Street and encourage positive uses of the park. On September 5, 2001, the Community Service Committee presented to City Council an action plan containing the following short-term and long-term goals for International Square: · Short-term plan - Develop the Square into a safe, clean and secure urban green space, promoting economic growth in the area. · Long-term plan - Redevelop the square area into some type of alternate use. All agreed at that time that International Park should remain because of its potential as a positive green asset and it being the only open space adjacent to Baker Street. In an effort to gain some control over the park, the City installed a wrought iron fence with locking gates around the perimeter. Initially, enclosing the park helped control the spread of trash and limited park hours. The Bakersfield Rescue Mission volunteered to lock and unlock the gates, respectively at 10 p.m. and at 5 a.m. The Mission also recommends to groups "feeding" at the park that they are welcome to use of the Pavilion Park located at the Bakersfield Rescue Mission. Over the last 2½ years, conditions at theSquare have not improved. Instead they continue to get worse. Illegal activities such as alcohol use, drug activity, prostitution, urination, and defecation have created a public nuisance in this area. The park is known as a hang-out for vagrants, and transients. Parks had to turn off the water spigot located under the shade awning because people were showering and washing clothes there. Park users have also been storing their personal belongings within the fenced area which sometimes looks like a campground. The slump stone wall is used for urination and defecation needs. The feedings continue but are more discreet, as food recipients refuse to tell officers who provided the food. Overall, health and safety conditions have worsened to the point that Park employees spend at least one hour per day cleaning the park to pick up trash, personal belongings, syringes, and human waste. According to the Recreation & Parks Department several maintenance problems exist at the site. The following situations make it expensive and potentially dangerous for City employees maintaining International Square: 1. Difficult to work around persons sleeping, 2. Concern for exposure to blood borne pathogens, 3. Concerns for issues of disease from urine and fecal matter, 4. Restrooms were previously provided but were destroyed. 5. Estimated labor cost of to $11,850/yr to maintain International Square, ½ acre in size, is 31% higher than a seven (7) acre neighborhood park which costs $8,171 per year to maintain. dlkS:\Baker Street Revitalization\International Square\International Square memo 10 21 03.doc For example, it costs the City $11,848.28/year to maintain International Square, ½ acre in size, with no amenities. It costs the City $8,171.23/year to maintain Beale Park, seven (7) acres in size, which hosts picnic areas, amphitheater, swimming pool, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and restrooms. Staff spoke with the railroad, Real Estate Director. The real estate director said he believed it would be best if the City returned the parcel to them scraped to the dirt without any park type improvements (pavilion, water, fence, concrete pads). He believed that was in the lease as well, and it is. He also said he thought that it should not look like a park when it is returned and maybe that would discourage people from hanging out there. Public Works has a use for the fence in the next phase of landscaping around Baker Street. Alternative green space, is now available for legitimate park users at the Pavilion Park developed approximately 1½ years ago by the Bakersfield Rescue Mission. It is located about one block east of International Square. Access to the Pavilion is somewhat controlled in that patrons must be drug and alcohol free to use it. The Rescue Mission also provides food and showers to patrons. Service groups can also use the Pavilion for "feedings" and worship services. Attached is a memo form the Police Department giving more details concerning the unsafe and unhealthy conditions that plague the park. They are also in support of closing the park. Staff Recommendation: Staff is recommending the park be dismantled and returned to the railroad for their private use, until at such time private development efforts can be attracted to purchase the property from the railroad and redevelop the area with a positive alternate use 3 dlkS:\Baker Street Revitalization\International Square\International Square memo 10 21 03.doc BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM October 6, 2003 To: Bryan L. Lynn, Captain, Operations Division From: Bob Bivens, Lieutenant, Operations Division Subject: International Square International Square and the surrounding area continue to lead the City in criminal activity and quality of life issues. International Square is located in Reporting District 300. Within this Reporting District there are many Iow end motels that cater to single room occupancy tenants. Many of these tenants are registered sex offenders and drug offenders placed in these motels by the California Department of Corrections. In mid-2001, I was the East Area Commander and was involved with the efforts of the Old Town Kern Association to clean up International Square. Several options were presented to the Old Town Kern business owners and community members. One option was to terminate the lease of the property and return it to the railroad. The committee sought community input and opted to build a fence around the park. The fence was intended to make the park more secure at night and discourage persons wanting to commit drug and alcohol related crimes. Unfortunately, the fence has done little or nothing to discourage the criminal element and the crimes associated with loitering at the park all day. The Crime Analysis Unit has identified Reporting Districts 300, 301, and 304, as the second highest level of crime density in the City. These Reporting Districts boarder each other and contain approximately thirty-two motels, all in walking distance of International Square. Our Sexual Assault Unit has identified as many as seventy-five registered sex offenders living in the motels of these three Reporting Districts. Captain Bryan L. Lynn Re: International Square October 6, 2003 Page 2. I spoke with our foot beat officers, Officer Fred Torres and Officer Alex Menendez about International Square. They said they are averaging approximately five heroin sales/ possession arrest a month in the park. They also average about thirty citations a month for various crimes including open containers, urinating in the public, and possession of less than an once of marijuana. Both feel the park is merely a gathering place for criminal activity, rather than a recreational facility for families. They felt the facility and programs provided by Bethany Services encourage the lawful use of open space for relaxation and recreation. I requested the Crime Analysis Unit complete crime stats for the current year January through August, 2003. There were 368 Part I Crimes committed; 926 offense'reports, and 760 arrests made in Reporting Districts 300, 301, and 304. RB:plp BAKERSFIELD OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER ·" MEMORANDUM OctOber 27, 2003 TO:" Community Services Committee/-~ FROM: A lanTandy, City Manager /~/~/£~ SUBJECT: Veteran's Park ' ./ In an effort to clear up as many preliminary issues as possible prior to the Commun~ Services meeting, staff met with members of the Veterans Committee on October 24 . Preliminary plans were reviewed with the following results, agreements and comments: 1) The idea to enter the park from 20th Street, along with the perpendicular parking on that street will be dropped from the plan. That entry point is too far removed to be practical. The street is too narrow for perpendicular parking. The City cannot remove the fronting property owners' use for a separate public purpose. 2) The amPhitheater will be moved to Phase II and will not appear in the Phase I proposal. It does trigger parking requirements, which, under this circumstance, would only have to be done in Phase I1'. 3) The perimeter fencing and gates will be removed. The park will be open for public entry and as a part of the Mill Creek Project. 4) Prior to seeking approval of preliminary plans from the City Council, the Veterans group will deliver letters from the Bakersfield Museum of Art and Senior Center management indicating they are satisfied with the design, or, if'they are not, meetings will be set up between these groups, the Veterans Committee and City to clear up any problems. 5) Cantilevered viewpoints over the water are costly and will make it impOssible for the canal company to maintain the canal. They need to be moved back. Prior to final approval by the Council, the canal company should, in writing, approve the design. Community Services Committee October 27, 2003 Page 2 The following are design suggestions that the City strongly encourages and which the Veterans will take under advisement prior to the next submittal. A. A playground of at least minimal size should remain in the park. B. Hardscape (vs. trees and grass) is costly, requires the removal of trees, and is too hot for much of Bakersfield's summer. City staff believes more grass and '" trees should be maintained and that the drawings submitted show too much hardscape. C. Restrooms need to be provided by either maintaining the current ones or building replacements. The plans show them as a part of the amphitheater, which' is now in Phase I1. D. The hydrologist has come up with a reVised water design. The next submittal should be based on that. E. The Veterans group needs to consult Don Hoggatt, Ralph Brayboy and the Parks Department on design issues, plant selection, etc. as the schematic drawings are prepared. The drawings need to be revised in accordance with the above. They should then be resubmitted to the Community Services Committee and the City Council for concept approval adding, of course, any Committee comments that occur on October 29th. Final · approval of the City Council needs to be based on completed schematic drawings. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager Jean Parks, Secretary II BBB P rk · City parks are an important element of our quality of life - [] Beautification [] Open space [] Recreation opportunities · Our parks are for the enjoyment of ali residents and visitors to Bakersfield - not exclusive to a particular segment of our community · International Square Park is the smallest of Bakersfield's 43 parks- less than one acre in size, located at the northwest corner of Baker and Sumner Streets · It is designated as a neighborhood park- defined by Bakersfield's municipal code as a park that is located in proximity to residential areas and primarily serves the neighborhoods for essential recreational purposes BBB Our Recommendation · Close International Square to the public for a minimum of two years [] Allow the community as a whole (with assistance from the City, Southern Pacific and developers) to recreate the park [] We can help in this way: [] Spearhead a community clean-up effort of the park upon closure to the public [] Initiate community planning dialogue specifically addressing the park property [] Encourage public and private investment in the project · Allow the Community Visioning process to be realized [] Significant investment has been made by the City, developers, Baker Street business owners, and community leaders to revitalize the corridor - let's keep the planning momentum on the right track · Encourage and support public space in the overall revitalization plan, in the forms of parks, plazas and gardens, to be accessible and acceptable to all residents of the neighborhood B A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM September 23, 2003 TO: Jacquie Sullivan, Councilmember-Ward 6 FROM: lan Christensen, Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: Veteran's Memorial The Veteran's Memorial Park Committee has requested that the issue of the Memorial be placed on the agenda for the next Community Services Committee meeting. They wish to update the Community Services Committee on the status of construction of the Memorial. As you are aware, their goal is to dedicate it to the City upon completion. This was brought to the attention of Councilmember Benham, who recommended it be handled through the Committee Chair.