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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/2002 BAKERSFIELD ~ C~~ Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Ala y, Sue Benham Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager Irma Carson AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 1:30 p.m. City Manager's Conference Room 1. ROLL CALL Call to Order at 1:35 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan, Chair; Sue Benham; and Irma Carson 2. ADOPT APRIL 17, 2002 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Staff update regarding proposed ice skating and aquatic facilities (This item heard last) City Manager Alan Tandy gave an update. Staff has preliminarily narrowed the list of design firms down to three and interviews will be set up. A school contribution has been inCluded in the aquatic budget. Staff was hoping for a $1 million contribution. The school has taken the position that they will only contribute to the aquatic facility if it is an Olympic- sized pool. An Olympic-sized pool will cost an additional $2 million more than a 25 meter pool. Staff will be writing a letter to the school district asking for their financial support and if for their needs they want an Olympic-size pool, their contribution would need to be $3 million. The City is short approximately $1 million for a 25 meter pool for competitive swimming and $3 million short of an Olympic-sized pool. The third option if the School District does not contribute, would be for the City to drop competitive swimming from the aquatic complex. As the schools have a huge demand for their swim teams to compete, and because of the City's financial participation, this would be the most economical alternative the schools will have to address their swimming pool needs. ADOPTED AS S~TI'ED ON JUI~ 19, 2002 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 15, 2002 Page -2- Design work is in progress for Jefferson and Martin Luther King, Jr. pools and staff should have information for the next Committee meeting. Staff has met with the County regarding a contribution for Jefferson Park pool. Instead of making a contribution, as the City has done for several of the County's projects, they have proposed a trade for sewer services to Rexland Acres. As this financially complicates the issue, staff will be getting out information to Council on what this entails. B. Staff update and Committee recommendation on the Citizens' Committee for Design and Placement of Historical Documents at City Hall Committee Chair Sullivan explained each Community Services Committee member selected a representative, who along with other citizens have been working on the project. She introduced Mike Miller, Chair of the citizens Patriotic Documents Committee. Mr. Miller thanked the members of the committee for their hard work. The members are: Don Clark; Shirlyn Davenport; Denise Gary Pandol; Miriam Bean; Dave Richmond; Terry Richmond; Marque Stansberry; Zak Thomas; and Jeannette Richardson. He provided seven packets of the minutes for Councilmembers and explained all of their recommendations are by unanimous decisions. The following are their recommendations for placement of documents at City Hall. East wall of the Council Chamber A painted mural with the Liberty Bell in the center, framed by The Declaration of Independence on one side and The Bill of Rights on the other side. The top banner would read, "We Hold These Truths to Be Self Evident." West wall of the Council Chamber A painted mural with the Statue of Liberty framed by the Gettysburg Address on one side and the Emancipation Proclamation (edited version due to its length) on the other side. The top banner would read, "A New Birth of Freedom." In the foyer Above the framed bulletin boards as you walk in, a quote by Colonel Baker, "This is God's Country. Some day it will be filled with happy homes. The place is rich in future possibilities." Colonel Thomas Baker. On the east wall of the foyer If it is possible to move the bust of former Councilmember Saunders (they are checking with the family), place a bulletin board, five by four foot, on which projects from the schools could be displayed on a rotating basis. Above this bulletin board, a quote by former President John F. Kennedy, "In each of us there is a private hope and dream, which fulfilled can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation." In the hallway adjacent to the Chamber by the Mayor's Office between the two columns Place readable historical documents (to be determined). If their plan is adopted, the citizens Patriotic Documents Committee would like to have a dedication ceremony on July 4th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Centennial Plaza, with the Mayor and local religious leaders as speakers, a ribbon cutting and open house for a couple of hours. Money for the documents project will be raised by having corporate sponsors. No City funds will be used. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 15, 2002 Page -3- Committee Member Benham thanked the members of the citizens Patriotic Documents Committee and requested staff to prepare thank you letters to each member. However, she had one suggestion to have the dedication on July 3rd rather than the 4th as her neighborhood has an annual parade and City Hall would be open. Committee Chair Sullivan expressed she would like to keep the date on July 4th, The Amtrak Station had their dedication on July 4th and it was a huge success. Committee Member Carson was impressed with the recommendations made by the citizens Patriotic Documents Committee and expressed her appreciation for their work on what was an awesome task. Committee Member Benham made a motion the Community Services Committee adopt the recommendations of the citizens Patriotic Documents Committee for the design and placement of historical documents at City Hall. The Committee unanimously approved the motion. C, Staff update and Committee recommendation on design and placement of the national motto, "In God We Trust," at City Hall Committee Chair Sullivan stated she had contacted the citizens Patriotic Documents Committee for suggestions regarding where to place the national motto. Mike Miller, Chair of the citizens Patriotic Documents Committee, said they are recommending the national motto be inside rather than on the outside of the building. Their suggestion would be to put "IN GOD WE TRUST" over the City seal in the Council Chamber and "E PLURIBUS, UNUM" under the seal. Committee Member Carson was very much in favor of the inside location and made a motion to adopt the recommendation for placement and design presented by the citizens Patriotic Documents Committee. The Community Services Committee unanimously approved the motion. D, Staff update and Committee recommendation on the design and placement of the Liberty Garden Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford reported that the working group and the Bakersfield Beautiful Committee has focused on an area adjacent to the new fire and police substation to develop a Liberty Garden with a monument. The Bakersfield Beautiful Committee would still like something at City Hall and are recommending planting flowers and having a small plaque. They will be submitting design suggestions and are working toward a dedication on September 11th. Recreation Specialist Colleen Cashmore presented design concepts for the Station 15 location, which will need to be modified to fit the dimensions of the available space. The plan is for a monument, use the natural beauty of the green space, with a garden setting, trees and fountain element. The City will be asked to provide the land. The Liberty Garden AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 15, 2002 Page -4- will be built with private funding from fund-raisers. Tentative plans are for a groundbreaking in December with completion the following December, as time will be needed for fund- raising. Staff will continue to give updates to the Committee. Committee Chair Sullivan thanked the Bakersfield Beautiful Committee for their continued work, and expressed she wanted to especially thank Don Hoggatt for all his work and designs for the national motto and the Liberty Garden at City Hall. Committee Chair Sullivan in response to a question from the City Manager, stated the Committee has adopted the "In God We Trust" design and is ready for all the items to go to Council for approval, including the concepts for the Liberty Gardens. Staff will prepare a report for the June 12th City Council meeting. E, Staff update and Committee discussion on proposed Veterans Memorial Park Dale Wilson, Chair of the Kern Veterans Memorial Park Committee, read their presentation. High points included: At the heart of their planning efforts is a military history museum and learning center. The museum will have displays from conflicts dating back to the French and Indian Wars in the 1600's. The museum is planned to be very proactive, using the latest technology, with computer, video, and telecommunication systems available. There will be about six viewing rooms where video presentations will offer the visitor a living experience. A lecture hall is planned where the public and students can attend classes given by local teachers and college professors. This technology will be hooked to the Superintendent of Schools by fiber optic cable, allowing channeling any of the lectures or videos throughout classrooms in the County. The Veterans Plaza and amphitheater are an important part of the purpose to celebrate the lives of the local veterans here in Kern County. The Wall of Valor will have the names of Kern County Veterans who have lost their lives while serving their country. There will be a special memorial for World War II Veterans. The amphitheater could be available for local performances and hopefully attract touring military bands. Local performing art should find the amphitheater an ideal place to perform. Their goal is to learn from what has happened in the past, in order to avoid conflicts and future wars. They have conceptual drawings and are forming a nonprofit foundation and will be applying for grants. They have a veteran's steering committee with many volunteers to help in their effort, including Dr. David Rosales, chair of the History Department at Bakersfield College, Dr. Charles Carlson, retired Dean of Instruction at Bakersfield College, Robert Otto, retired U.S. History teacher from East High School and many other business, military and political leaders. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 15, 2002 Page-5- Mr. Wilson stated the Kern Veterans Memorial Park Committee is very interested in working out a plan whereby they can build the Veterans Park at Central Park. He expressed there is one thing central to their program, the need for a place to build the military museum and the learning center. The 3+ acres north of 21st Street is crucial toward accomplishing their goals. This property is available, but there is a plan for a housing project. The Veterans feel their project is very special and the City should support their need for this location. Committee Member Benham explained there has been increased interest in Central Park. The Charrette suggested housing in the area and recently it has been suggested as a site for a new City Hall. She expressed the Veterans Memorial Park is a very important project and should fit in with the plans for Central Park. City Manager Alan Tandy explained Economic Development Director Donna Kurtz has been following up on Vision 2020 and Charrette goals. She has been a long-term advocate of housing in the downtown. The Veterans' interest in 3+ acres along the canal would probably fit in with the housing project. Both projects should be compatible. However, the use of Central Park for a City Hall would change the space available in Central Park, but cannot be discussed today because it is now before the Urban Development Committee. Committee Members Benham and Carson agreed the Veterans project is very worthy and should have a place, but both expressed the importance of housing and mix-use for the downtown area. The Committee tabled the discussion until the next meeting when more information will be available. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Committee discussion regarding the need for a new skateboard park in the southwest Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford reported staff has researched locations for a skateboard park in the southwest. Staff is not recommending a skateboard park at Silver Creek as it does not have an available site that would be compatible with the other uses in the park. Seasons Park is very near to Silver Creek and is an underutilized park, so there is room for a skateboard park. However, there are no restrooms, lights or fencing. Also there are 12 houses facing the park and the residents may be in opposition to a skateboard facility in their neighborhood park. Upon checking current costs, a skateboard facility similar to the one built in Beach Park would cost twice as much to build now as it did then. City Manager Alan Tandy explained that although there are funds included in the proposed City budget for a skateboard park, the Governor has recommended cuts in the State budget, which if implemented, would impact the City budget by approximately $870,000, so it may be necessary to cut projects. Committee Chair Sullivan and Member Benham both expressed support for keeping the money in the budget for a skateboard park. Committee Member Carson would like the skateboard park centrally located and not located in a neighborhood park because skateboarding is very disruptive to other events. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 15, 2002 Page -6- The City Manager suggested the Committee wait to see if the funding is approved in the proposed City budget. If it is, the next step would be neighborhood meetings to assess neighborhood opinions on locating a skateboard facility at Seasons Park. Committee Chair Sullivan thanked staff for the update and expressed she would like to see a skateboard park in every corner of the City. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m. Staff attending: Mayor Harvey Hall; City Manager Alan Tandy; City Attorney Bart Thiltgen; Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen; Public Works Director Raul Rojas; Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford; Fire Chief Ron Fraze; Recreation Specialist Colleen Cashmore; Public Works Park and Landscape Designer Don Hoggatt; Parks Supervisor Ken Trone; Recreation and Parks Business Manager Rebecca Jamison Others attending: James Burger, The Bakersfield Californian; Jules Kenzer, Bakersfield Exchange Club; Mike Miller, Kern Tech; Jeanette Richardson, Arts Council of Kern; Don Clark, KBAK-TV CBS 20; Shirlyn Davenport, Davenport Sweeping; Kern Veterans Memorial Park Committee: Chair Dale Wilson, Recording Secretary Donna Lorenz, Wendell Justin, Bob Otto, and Bill Melby, AIA cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council S:~C~002CSCommittee\cs02may15summary.wpd