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Home My WebLink About02/27/2002 · BAKERSFIELD ~/~ _.~_~ Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Alan Tandy, C,ty Manager Sue Benham Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager Irma Carson AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMI'R'EE Wednesday, February 27, 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 JANUARY 25, 2002 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Staff report and Committee recommendation regarding proposed ice skating and aquatic facilities - Brad Becken, guest speaker At the last Committee meeting, the Committee reviewed a prospective budget and proposed plan to undertake the rehabilitation of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jefferson pools, and construction of a new aquatic complex and ice rink. The Committee directed staff to proceed with further research. A letter was sent to Kern County requesting a contribution toward the Jefferson Pool rehabilitation. Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford has been in contact with the School District who had committed to contribute to an aquatic complex. They have been asked to consider increasing the amount of their contribution. Staff has been Involved in refining cost estimates and graphics for more specific plans for the enhancement of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jefferson pools. Stan Ford is drafting a departmental contract to assist with cost estimates and graphics. Budget estimates need to be refined. Staff would like to show the cost and exactly what the pools will look like after enhancement. . .ADO._PTED AS SUBI~II'I'TED ON APRIL 17, 2002, AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Wednesday, February 27, 2002 Page -2- Councilmember Benham had suggested staff check on the possibility of economic benefits that might be realized if the proposed aquatic and ice facilities would be adjacent and share energy uses. Brad Becken operates one of these facilities and was here today sharing his experience. Staff will be talking further next week with the folks who have the co-generation part of the complex. Staff is continuing to explore possible locations in the area around California Avenue and various potential locations near Centennial Garden. Some of the work after today's Committee meeting will be further refining the cost estimates for an ice rink, checking with designers, continuing to look at locations and checking into the energy and co-generation of shared economics for combined facilities. A report regarding the work so far will be made to the Council at the March 6th meeting and also a report on the possibility of using federal grant money as a source to finance rehabilitation/upgrade of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jefferson pools and construction of an aquatic facility. Brad Becken from Iceoplex in Santa Monica was introduced to the Committee. He spoke regarding a number of ice facilities they operate in the state. Three years ago they came to Bakersfield and this committee and explored building an ice rink in Bakersfield. It was concluded demographics here will not support a privately built and operated ice rink. They recommended at that time the City consider an ice facility as an amenity. Mr. Becken answered questions regarding a facility they operate, which has a co-generation plant with a combination aquatic complex and ice skating facility. Committee Members Carson and Benham were interested in exploring the idea of a combination aquatic complex and ice skating facility and looking for a centrally located site near the downtown. Ice skating enthusiasts in attendance sPoke and were very excited about the possibility of an ice skating facility becoming a reality in Bakersfield. B. Discussion regarding placement of historical documents, and the national motto, "In God We Trust," at City Hall, and design and placement of the Liberty Garden Liberty Garden Parks Supervisor Ken Trone provided two versions just received from the Keep America Beautiful Committee consultant on what the Liberty Garden might look like. The designs included two 15 foot granite replicas of the Trade Center Towers with a red, white and blue concrete walk, and red, white and blue rose bushes for the corner of Truxtun and Chester. There was also a suggested plan for two small planters in front of the Council Chamber. Committee Member Benham expressed concerns about the tower design being symbolic of the Trade Center and should also represent lives lost at the Pentagon and plane crash. When first hearing of the idea, it was the garden that seemed most impressive and she would like staff to explore more subtle, dignified garden ideas which could include shade, water element, bench AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Wednesday, February 27, 2002 Page -3- and other types of flowers, more in line with the Vision 2020 concept. Cost estimates should be included with every proposal. Committee Member Carson also agreed the Liberty Garden should be representative of all the tragedies of September 11th, and the need to look at other concepts and be creative on how to bring everything together in a commemorative garden. Committee Chair Sullivan would like to see the designs other cities plan to use. Chester and Truxtun seems like a good location, but wanted to know if there is a possibility of moving the Streetscape flags. She is open to ideas, but does like the dramatic statement the twin tower concept presented. Staff will be working with the Keep America Beautiful Committee consultant on other designs for the Committee's review. Because time is short to complete a Liberty Garden, the Committee discussed perhaps having a groundbreaking ceremony on May 18th and the dedication September 11th. Placement of Historical Documents Committee Chair Sullivan received a suggestion from Mike Miller that a citizens' committee be formed regarding the placement of historical documents at City Hall. If a citizens' committee is approved, Mr. Miller would like to serve. Committee Member Benham made a motion to authorize staff to form a committee, contact Mr. Miller and those he recommended, and also each Councilmember be given an opportunity to appoint a member. The Committee unanimously approved the motion. National motto, "In God We Trust" Committee Chair Sullivan received a suggestion the letters for the plaque be in stainless steel. She suggested if it is going to be on the outside of the building, perhaps putting "In God We Trust" on top, the City Seal in the center with "E Pluribus, Unum" underneath. Committee Member Carson would like to be consistent with what has been done in other public buildings and she would have prefer it inside, but does like the idea of everything on one plaque. Committee Member Benham thought any design should go to the Council for approval. She would like "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus, Unum" in separate locations. Perhaps at the entrance of the Council Chamber have "In God We Trust" and the other entrance on the east end of City Hall have "E Pluribus, Unum." Staff will research other public buildings for examples and develop designs for the Committee to review. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Wednesday, February 27,2002 Page-4- 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Staff report and Committee recommendation regarding Clean Up Bakersfield (CUB) Program/Boy Scouts Patch Program Recreation Specialist Colleen Cashmore,' coordinator of the CUB program, explained basically this idea Was presented by Councilmember Couch as a way to get volunteers throughout the community. The scouts were interested in participating as a way for scouts to earn merit badges and would include Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. One of the projects would be the Great American Clean Up and also to develop a list of volunteers to do community cleanups in various areas of the City. There would be a phone number established for the community to access information. The City Attorney spoke about volunteers working for the City being under the City's workers' compensation. The Scouts will list the City on their insurance certificate. The City Attorney said a blanket type contract with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts would be sufficient. The Committee approved for staff to move forward and thought this might be another award- winning program. 6. COMMI'r'rEE COMMENTS 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m. Staff attending: City Manager Alan Tandy; City Attorney Bart Thiltgen; Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen; Assistant Public Works Director Jack LaRochelle; Public Works Operations Manager Brad Underwood; General Services Superintendent Steve Hollingsworth; Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford; Recreation Specialist Colleen Cashmore; Parks Supervisor Ken Trone; Public Works Park and Landscape Designer Don Hoggatt; Fire Chief Ron Fraze; and Deputy Fire Chief Gary Hutton. 'Others attending: Matthew Riley, Condors; Barbara Grimes, Blades Figure Skating; Stan Dodson; Pete Yackley, Blades Figure Skating; Dave Cross, Architect; John Wagner, Boy Scouts of America; Marty Baldwin, Boy ScOuts of America; Scott Thackrey, KERN Radio; James Burger, The Bakersfield Californian; Carol Ferguson and Evan Hinojos Channel 29; Tammy Brown, KUZZ; Steve Rowe, Channel 23; Maya Sanchez, Channel 17. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council S:~,C~OO2CSCommittee\csO2feb27sumrnary.wpd