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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/11/2007 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM May 11, 2007 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager r/7 67 rte_ SUBJECT: General Information 1. Thanks are due to the Employee Incentive Committee for another successful Employee Appreciation Breakfast held at Yokuts Park today, May 11 t". The event had a record attendance of approximately 800! 2. In response to my most recent inquiry, the GSA has informed us they are still working on their "due diligence" efforts regarding the proposed Federal Courthouse site. According to the enclosed letter, GSA representatives are to be here next week to walk and photograph the site. 3. As my office is short an assistant city manager again, I am making some adjustments in staff assignments in an effort to cover the workload and spread things out in as equitable a way as possible. John Stinson will pick up the Annexation Task Force. He and Rhonda Smiley will be splitting the committee duties. John will continue with Budget and Finance, Safe Neighborhoods, and Water Resources. In addition, he will take Personnel. Rhonda will be responsible for Community Services, Legislative and Litigation, and Planning and Development. Rick Kirkwood will take on preparation of your weekly General Information report and be responsible for tracking and correspondence on legislative issues. 4. This week I became the longest tenured city manager to serve in that role here. Bakersfield has had the council/manager form of government since 1915. Harold Bergen, who served from 1966 to 1980, previously held the "record". 5. As announced earlier this week, SMG has booked Earth, Wind, and Fire for July 7t" and the Doobie Brothers/Peter Frampton on September 9t" at the Amphitheatre. With the expectation of more to be confirmed, we look forward to a great series of events at the amphitheatre this season! 6. Aera Energy will be holding their company picnic at The Park at River Walk on Saturday, June 2nd. They have reserved all areas of the park, including the shelters and the amphitheatre, from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. that day. Aera is expecting about 1,000 employees, and they will be participating in activities throughout the park. Staff will post signs in advance that the park is reserved that day. All areas will be open to the public after 4:OOPM. Honorable Mayor and City Council May 11, 2007 Page 2 7. In anticipation of the new roller hockey rink going in at Saunders Park, we are holding a special event this weekend. The L.A. King "Chariot", a customized mobile hockey unit, equipped with a portable hockey rink/boarder patrol and inflatable puck shoot will be at the park this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, with a press conference planned for 12:00 p.m. The press release announcing the event is enclosed. 8. The newly renovated playgrounds at Jefferson and Castle Parks are reopening on the afternoon of Friday, May 11 to 9. A report on this year's Great American Clean Up, held on April 21St, is enclosed. With almost 3,500 volunteers, over 90 graffiti "hot spots" were painted over, and approximately 106 tons of trash and 3.5 tons of tires were collected. Thanks and congratulations go out to Keep Bakersfield Beautiful and all the volunteers involved in the effort! 10. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of May 14th is attached. 11 . Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Benham • Initiation of an Ad Hock Committee to focus on issues pertaining to Railroad Quiet Zones; • Actions to a citizen concern regarding security at the Union Pacific freight yard; Councilmember Carson • Report on the feasibility of providing central dump site and dumpsters in an effort to alleviate illegal dumping. AT:rs cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk GSA Pacific Rim Region May 7, 2007 Alan G. Tandy City Manager, Bakersfield 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mr. Tandy: Thank you for your May 1 , 2007 letter. We have not forgotten the project. While waiting for the Courts to complete their budget review, we are preceding with our National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) due diligence. Representatives from both my staff and our environmental staff will be walking and photographing the site next week. Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call me at (415) 522-3191. Sincerely, James Kane Director, San Francisco Service Center (9PF) Public Buildings Service cc: The Honorable Robert E. Coyle Senior U.S. District Court Judge, Eastern District of California Susan Kim, Assistant Circuit Executive Space and Facilities Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit, Office of the Circuit Executive Peter Shteyn, Contracting Officer— GSA U.S.General Services Administration 450 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco,CA 94102-3434 www.gsa.gov RECEIVED: 5/ 7/07 8:25AM; ->CITY OF BAKERSFIELD; #196; PAGE 2 COB 5/7/2007 9: 18 : 58 AM PAGE 2/002 Fax Server Rabobank Me ra 1 111111 ARENA 8r31,1733 Today's Date: May 4, 2007 Contact: Jennifer Fisher, 661.852.7327, jfisher @rabobankarena.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Bright House Networks Amphitheatre Presents 2 Concerts: Earth, Wind, & Fire and the Doobie Brother's with Peter Frampton Bakersfield, CA- SMG is pleased to announce the first two major events of the 2007 Barber Honda Concert Series at the Bright House Networks Amphitheatre. On July 7, 2007 at 7 p.m. Earth, Wind, & Fire will perform their classic hits from 1975 to the Present. Grammy nominated artist EWF will fill the night with soul, funk, gospel, blues,jazz, rock and dance music. Then on September 9, 2007at 6:30 p.m. the Amphitheatre will host an incredible evening of classic rock featuring the Doobie Brothers and Peter Frampton. The Doobie Brothers who have sold over 50 million records and have won 2 Grammy's will perform their top hits. Peter Frampton's coveted career will be showcased during this live performance featuring favorites from the 70's to his latest album Fingerprints. Tickets will go on sale for these two celebrated concert events on Saturday May 19, 2007 @ 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at all Vallitix outlets, charge-by-phone at 661.322.5200 and online at www.vallitix.com. CITY OFBAKERSFIELD Recreation 4a &Parks Dianne Hoover, Director MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dianne Hoover Thursday, May 10, 2007 Recreation & Parks Dept. (661) 326-3866 ROLLER HOCKEY KICK-OFF EVENT Imagine opening your trunk and pulling out a hockey carnival....... The LA Kings "Chariot" is coming to Bakersfield! The public is invited to participate in four hours of fun at Saunders Park 3300 Palm Street from 10:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12th. The Kings Chariot is a customized mobile hockey unit, equipped with a portable hockey rink/boarder patrol, and inflatable puck shoot. Sticks and equipment are provided for over 20 people at a time. Vice-Mayor Harold Hanson, City officials, and the Condors mascots, Colonel Claw'd and Baby Cal, will be in attendance to support roller hockey in Bakersfield. The City of Bakersfield is in the process of building a permanent hockey rink at Saunders Park. The project is expected to be completed next year, and this event is a kick-off to inform the community and to encourage fundraising for the roller hockey facility. A press conference will be held during the Saturday event at 12:00 p.m. to provide more details about the City's new permanent roller hockey rink. City of Bakersfield - Recreation and Parks Department- 900 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California - 93301 (661) 326-3866 - Fax (661) 852-2140 B A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: May 7, 2007 SUBJECT: Great American Cleanup 2007 Keep Bakersfield Beautiful's (KBB) Great American Cleanup held on April 21, 2007 was a tremendous success. Over 100 teams consisting of Girl and Boy Scout troops, families, church groups, civic organizations, schools and businesses participated in the event. The nearly 3,500 volunteers, including Assemblymember Nicole Parra, removed trash and painted over graffiti in 90 "hot spots" all over Bakersfield. Approximately 106 tons of trash and 3.5 tons of tires were collected. Volunteers were treated to a free lunch, games and entertainment after the cleanup at Yokuts Park. In a ceremony held at the event, KBB's Outstanding Volunteers of the Year were awarded plaques and Mayor Harvey Hall presented event sponsors with certificates of appreciation. Visit our website at www.keepbakersfieldbeautiful.us to view photos of volunteers in action. KB/mm S:AFILING\l00 ADMIN\Keep Bakersfield Beautiful CommitteeAKBB-Community Relations\Great American Cleanup\2007 GAC\2007 GAC WRAP UP REPORT Blue_Memo_GAC_Award.doc Page 1 of 2 PUBLIC WORKS STREETS DIVISION —WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF MAY 14 — MAY 18, 2007 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Reconstructing streets in the area between Panama Lane and Pine Castle Avenue, Stine Road and Summerfield Drive Resurfacing Streets in the area between 99 Highway and el Potrero Lane, White Lane and Planz Road. Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Continue working on the storm line installation project on Benton Street, between Wilson Road and Belvedere Avenue. Continue working on the curb and gutter installation project (CDBG funded) in the area between Flower Street and 178 Highway, Alta Vista Drive to Kern Street. Working on the "Parking Lot Beautification Project' at the Bakersfield Municipal Airpark. C\DOCUME-1\rsmiley\LOCALS-1\Temp\WeekofMay142007.WorkSchedule doc Page 2 of 2 STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, May 14, 2007 City streets in the area between Wilson Road and Panama Lane, So. "H" Street to So. Union Avenue. Tuesday, May 15, 2007 Between Wilson Road and Stine Road, Ming Avenue to White Lane. Between District Boulevard and Panama Lane, Gosford Road to Ashe Road. Ashe Road and Stine Road, Panama Lane, north to the railroad tracks. Cul-de-sac between Manley Court and Chris Court, north of Angela Way. Wednesday, May 16, 2007 Between White Lane and Panama Lane, Buena Vista Road to Old River Rd. Between Old River Road and Gosford Road, White Lane to Pacheco Road. Between College Avenue and Willis Avenue, Morning Drive to Park Drive. Thursday, May 17, 2007 Between Stockdale Highway and White Lane, Gosford Road to Ashe Road. Between Ming Avenue and White Lane, Ashe Road to Wilson Road. Friday, May 18, 2007 Between Stockdale Highway and Ming Avenue, Allen Road to Old River Road. Between Old River Road and Gosford Road, Ming Avenue and White Lane. Between Brundage Lane and E. Belle Terrace, Union Avenue to Cottonwood Road. Between Union Avenue and Cottonwood Road, Casa Loma Drive to Watts Drive. Between Oswell Park Drive and Brundage Lane, Oswell Street to Leeta Street. Between Brundage Lane and Zephyr lane, Oswell Street to Calle Del Sol. C\DOCUME-1\rsmiley\LOCALS-1\Temp\WeekofMay142007.WorkSched We.doc 13AKEh U `U- �9ZIFOR MEMORANDUM CITY ATTORNEY May 7, 2007 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: VIRGINIA GENNARO, CITY ATTORNEY- SUBJECT: COUNCIL REFERRAL NO. 1731 COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED STAFF REINITIATE DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING THE RAILROAD QUIET ZONES WITH MR. HAYGOOD; INITIATE AN AD HOC COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM AND COUNCILMEMBER CARSON TO FOCUS ON ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS IN THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR FIRST; HOLD AN OPEN PUBLIC MEETING AND ADVISE PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND MANAGEMENT OF HOLIDAY INN;AND PLACE A LINK ON THE CITY'S WEB PAGE REGARDING THE QUIET ZONE ISSUE TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED. New Federal regulations governing train horns went into effect on June 24, 2005. Since then, the City has received a tremendous number of complaints. The noise has impacted many areas of town but particularly residents in Wards 1 and 2. At the last City Council meeting, several residents expressed their concerns regarding the noise from train horns as a result of the new train horn rule. Councilmember Benham requested that an Ad-Hoc Committee be formed to address the myriad of issues that confront the City on the subject, including the possibility of quiet zones. On April 25th, The City Council approved the formation of the Ad-Hoc Committee. The first meeting will be scheduled as soon as the City receives a Final Report from its consultant (RCL) concerning the costs of implementing wayside horns and /or quiet zones. VG/vl SACOUNCIL\Referrals\06-07 Referrals\Benham-1731-RRQuietzones.doc B A K E R S F 1 E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: April 16, 2007 SUBJECT: UNION PACIFIC FREIGHT YARD SECURITY Referral No. 1732 COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED STAFF ADDRESS A CITIZEN'S CONCERNS REGARDING SECURITY AT THE UNION PACIFIC FREIGHT YARD. STAFF TRANSMIT LETTER TO RAILROAD SUGGESTING SECURITY MEASURES ONLY IF STAFF DETERMINES THAT IT IS NECESSARY. Staff has reviewed the Union Pacific Railroad freight yard between Sumner Street and Kentucky Street just east of Baker Street. The Freight yard does have fencing along Sumner Street and a majority of Kentucky Street. However, there are several openings in the fence which allow pedestrians to access the freight yard and cross several tracks with both stationary and moving trains. Staff has addressed a letter to the Union Pacific Railroad requesting that they provide access control to their facility. Please see attached letter. G:\GROUPDA-RReferrals\2007\04-11\Ref#1732 Union Pacific security.doc E A K E R S F I E L D PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1501 TRUXTUN AVENUE BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 (661) 326-3724 ay ' RAUL M. ROJAS, DIRECTOR • CITY ENGINEER Jim Smith Union Pacific Railroad 10031 Foothille Blvd. Roseville, CA 95747 Re: Union Pacific Railroad freight yard security Dear Mr. Smith: The City of Bakersfield has received concerns from a citizen in regards to the security of the Union Pacific Railroad freight yard between Sumner Street and Kentucky Street in the City of Bakersfield. The concerns are that there are minimal, if any, protective devices to prevent unauthorized access to the rail facility. There are several locations along the facility which allow pedestrians to cross multiple tracks with both stationary and moving trains. The freight yard also serves as storage for dangerous equipment and materials. The freight yard does have fencing adjacent to Kentucky Street and Sumner Street. However, the fencing has several openings which people can enter or pass through the freight yard. In addition, there is no controlled access at the west end of the freight yard near Baker Street and Beale Avenue. The City would appreciate Union Pacific Railroad to look into these concerns and at least provide access control to the freight yard. If you have any questions about this project, please call Nick Fidler at 661-326-3586. Very truly yours, RAUL M. ROJAS Public Works Director c: Sue Benham Jack LaRochelle Arnold Ramming Reading File SAPR0JECTS\Ngf\2006-2007\UPRR freight Yard security.doc MAY - 2007 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: April 16, 2007 SUBJECT: CENTRAL DUMP SITES Referral No. 1736 COUNCILMEMBER CARSON REQUESTED STAFF REVIEW THE FEASIBILITY OF PROVIDING CENTRAL DUMP SITES AND LARGE DUMPSTERS IN AN EFFORT TO ALLEVIATE ILLEGAL DUMPING. Staff has met with key community volunteers who are interested in reducing litter and illegal dumping. The best approach to these problems is to continue holding clean up events, which builds awareness among residents while helping them clean up their own neighborhoods. These events are held frequently with the help of Solid Waste crews and volunteers from Keep Bakersfield Beautiful and the Police Activities League. Staff will conduct a pilot program with large dumpsters at three alley sites where illegal dumping frequently occurs. The sites will be monitored and serviced daily. Health regulations limit central dump sites to 15 cubic yards daily, or regular refuse transfer station permits must be obtained. Staff will report monthly on the pilot program progress and cost of the hauling. G:\GROUPDAT\Referrals\2007\04-11\Ref#1736 Central Dump Sites.doc