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
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�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