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Home My WebLink About6/22/2007 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM June 22, 2007 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Counc' FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager ` SUBJECT: General Information 1. The quarterly sales tax information is in. The total is up 1.04% for the year over the previous year. We had projected a slight decrease so that amount is within budget projections. For the 4th quarter the total was down 1.51% from last year. Overall it is pretty much in line with projections and no budget modifications are necessary. 2. General Services recently completed energy saving retrofits as part of the 2004/2005 Kern Energy Watch Partnership at the Rabobank Arena, Rabobank Theater and Convention Center, Ice Sports Center, Fire Station #1, 18th and Eye Parking Garage, and Building B at the Corporation Yard. We appreciate the Partnership's and PG&E's patience as we worked through some of the project's delays. The City is now working under the 2006/2008 Partnership agreement, with projects including the lighting retrofit and the HVAC control system for 1600 Truxtun. 3. It is going a little slow but we continue to work with prospective bidders on the sale of the farm. We are attempting to structure an RFP in a way that encourages participation. No definitive time schedule but its still out there. 4. Attached is a letter addressed to Gary Blackburn, Chairman of the Kern Transportation Foundation, requesting consideration of adding the funding of Quiet Zone railroad crossing improvements to the list of projects proposed for any future '/2 cent sales tax measure for transportation. 5. We will be applying for funding from the 2008 STIP cycle for several grade separation projects along the BNSF rail corridor. We are also exploring utilizing moneys from the Infrastructure Bond passed last November, traditional Grade Separation funding and the State's double tracking project on the BNSF from Calloway Drive to 7th Standard Road. Specific Plan Lines will also be developed with help from the County and the Grade Separation District. 6. The agenda for the California High-Speed Rail Authority's June 27th public Board Meeting is enclosed. The meeting will be held in San Carlos and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. 7. At Jastro Pool we have attempted to patch major leaks and will attempt to get it back in service — possibly as early as next week. 8. The Movies in the Park series continues tonight at Patriots Park with "Spirit", to begin at dusk. 9. Two more Beale Band Concerts are scheduled this summer. On Sunday, June 24, ballroom dancers will perform prior to the 8:00 am concert. On Sunday, July 1St, all attendees will receive a small flag in honor of the nation's Independence Day. It is always our most popular concert. Honorable Mayor and City Council June 15, 2007 Page 2 10. One more Musicfest Concert remains at Silver Creek Park on Tuesday, June 26th at 7:30 pm. 11. All pools and sprayparks have been very busy with increased attendance at each one. 12. Councilmember Hanson conducted a community meeting at Las Palmas subdivision on June 21St. They expressed concerns about the landscaping and tree trimming to Dianne Hoover and Park Superintendent Darin Budak. Staff shared plans for future plantings. 13. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of June 25th is enclosed. 14. Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Carson • Response to a citizen's concerns of leaves, debris and water bugs in storm drains on El Toro Drive. AT:rs:rk cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM June 22, 2007 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Counc,' FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information 1. The quarterly sales tax information is in. The total is up 1.04% for the year over the previous year. We had projected a slight decrease so that amount is within budget projections. For the 4th quarter the total was down 1.51% from last year. Overall it is pretty much in line with projections and no budget modifications are necessary. 2. General Services recently completed energy saving retrofits as part of the 2004/2005 Kern Energy Watch Partnership at the Rabobank Arena, Rabobank Theater and Convention Center, Ice Sports Center, Fire Station #1, 18th and Eye Parking Garage, and Building B at the Corporation Yard. We appreciate the Partnership's and PG&E's patience as we worked through some of the project's delays. The City is now working under the 2006/2008 Partnership agreement, with projects including the lighting retrofit and the HVAC control system for 1600 Truxtun. 3. It is going a little slow but we continue to work with prospective bidders on the sale of the farm. We are attempting to structure an RFP in a way that encourages participation. No definitive time schedule but its still out there. 4. Attached is a letter addressed to Gary Blackburn, Chairman of the Kern Transportation Foundation, requesting consideration of adding the funding of Quiet Zone railroad crossing improvements to the list of projects proposed for any future '/ cent sales tax measure for transportation. 5. We will be applying for funding from the 2008 STIP cycle for several grade separation projects along the BNSF rail corridor. We are also exploring utilizing moneys from the Infrastructure Bond passed last November, traditional Grade Separation funding and the State's double tracking project on the BNSF from Calloway Drive to 7th Standard Road. Specific Plan Lines will also be developed with help from the County and the Grade Separation District. 6. The agenda for the California High-Speed Rail Authority's June 27th public Board Meeting is enclosed. The meeting will be held in San Carlos and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. 7. At Jastro Pool we have attempted to patch major leaks and will attempt to get it back in service — possibly as early as next week. 8. The Movies in the Park series continues tonight at Patriots Park with "Spirit", to begin at dusk. 9. Two more Beale Band Concerts are scheduled this summer. On Sunday, June 24, ballroom dancers will perform prior to the 8:00 am concert. On Sunday, July 1 st, all attendees will receive a small flag in honor of the nation's Independence Day. It is always our most popular concert. Honorable Mayor and City Council June 15, 2007 Page 2 10. One more Musicfest Concert remains at Silver Creek Park on Tuesday, June 26th at 7:30 pm. 11. All pools and sprayparks have been very busy with increased attendance at each one. 12. Councilmember Hanson conducted a community meeting at Las Palmas subdivision on June 21't. They expressed concerns about the landscaping and tree trimming to Dianne Hoover and Park Superintendent Darin Budak. Staff shared plans for future plantings. 13. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of June 25th is enclosed. 14. Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Carson • Response to a citizen's concerns of leaves, debris and water bugs in storm drains on El Toro Drive. AT:rs:rk cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF JUNE 25 — JUNE 29, 2007 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas Resurfacing streets in the area between Oak Street & "A" Street, California Avenue and Chester Lane. Reconstructing streets in the area between Pacheco Road and Fairview Road, So. "H" Street & Monitor Street. Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Working on the storm line installation project on Benton Street, between Wilson Road and Belvedere Avenue. Continue working on the curb and gutter project in the area between Flower Street and 178 Highway (CDBG FUNDED). Continue installing curb and gutter in the area between 4th Street and California Avenue, °P" Street to "T" Street. P\Gen Info Memo\062207\Week of JUNE 25,2007.Work Schedule.doc Page 2 of 2 STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, June 25, 2007 City streets in the area between Allen Road and Jasmine Parker Drive from Palm Avenue south to the canal. Between Allen Road and Rider Street from Johnson Road, south to the canal. Tuesday, June 26 2007 City streets in the area between Olive Drive and Meany Street, Coffee Road to Knudsen Drive Bewteen Columbus Street and 34th Street, Chester Avenue to San Dimas Street. Wednesday, June 27 2007 City streets in the area between Snow Road and Hageman Road, Jenkins Road to Jewetta Avenue. Between Niles Street and Jackson Street, Union Avenue to Beale Avenue. Between Sumner Street and E. Truxtun Avenue. Beale Avenue to Brown Street. Thursday, June 28 2007 Area between Snow Road and Hageman Road, Jewetta Avenue to Calloway Drive. Between So. "H" Street and So. Union Avenue, Berkshire Road to Astor Avenue. Friday, June 29, 2007 Between Norris Road and Granite Falls Drive, Coffee Road to Calloway Drive. Between Hageman Road and Meacham Road, Calloway Drive to Old Farm Road. Alfred Harrell Highway - 178 Highway to the N/W City limits. Mira Monte Drive - 178 Highway to the south end. Streets south of 178 Highway and east of Valley Street. P\Gen Info Memo\062207\Week of JUNE 25,2007.Work Schedule.doc B A K E R S F I E L D Alan Tandy • City Manager June 22, 2007 Mr. Gary Blackburn, Chairman Kern Transportation Foundation P. O. Box 417 Bakersfield, Ca. 93302-0417 Dear Mr. Blackburn; I am writing on behalf of the Railroad Ad Hoc Committee of the Bakersfield City Council. The Committee is reviewing the issue of railroad horn noise resulting from the recent change in federal law effective June 24, 2005 which requires trains to sound their horns 15-20 seconds prior to arrival at a crossing regardless of speed. This change in law has resulted in more horns sounding at many locations throughout Bakersfield and other Kern County communities that have rail lines passing through them, causing disruption to businesses and residents. There is a process that can create a "Quiet Zone" where the horn should not sound on a routine basis. Establishment of a Quiet Zone involves a process which includes construction of supplemental safety measures such as gates, medians and/or wayside horns at each crossing depending on the situation and conditions existing at the crossings being considered. The City of Bakersfield through a consultant has developed a report which assesses the potential creation of quiet zones in the metropolitan Bakersfield area. It is estimated the cost to create quiet zones in the metropolitan Bakersfield area would range from $9,070,200 to $10,070,200. In researching how other communities have addressed this issue, it was noted that cities in Orange County received funding to make crossing improvements necessary to create Quiet Zones from the local '/2 cent sales taxes approved for transportation projects. It seems that given the impact of this problem on residents throughout Bakersfield and other cities in Kern County, that many would support the use of the '/z cent transportation funds to improve railroad crossings in inhabited areas where the railroad horns have become a nuisance. Not only would these projects help reduce railroad noise, but they would enhance public safety by creating safer crossings in our communities where accident often occur, particularly during foggy weather. This issue also would have broad support since it affects both incorporated cities and unincorporated areas throughout the County. City of Bakersfield • City Manager's Office • 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California • 93301 (661) 326-3751 • Fax (661) 324-1850 Kern Transportation Foundation June 22, 2007 Page 2 The Railroad Ad Hoc Committee would like to request that Kern Transportation Foundation consider adding the funding of Quiet Zone railroad crossing improvements to the list of projects proposed for any future % cent sales tax measure for transportation. City staff is available to assist with development of potential cost estimates and other information as needed. We appreciate your consideration of this important matter. Please contact me if you require additional information. Sincerely, �� Alan Tandy City Manager Judge Ouontin L.Kopp,Ch:airnzan Fran And,Vacs-Chair Donna ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER David Crane Andrews GOVERNOR Rod Diridon 4sl� i R.Kirk.Undsey Curt Pringletj.J.Lynn(Tohenk L11'FORNIA T.J.iTorn)Stapdetcsn t ever teavin the 3 ground. CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY June 15, 2007 Dear Stakeholder: The California High-Speed Rail Authority's June 27th public Board Meeting will be held in San Carlos at the San Mateo County Transit District Board Room, 1250 San Carlos Avenue. Please note the meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am. At this meeting Authority staff will present an overview of the proposals received and the results of the selection process for the Program Management Oversight contract. Authority staff will present the proposed locations and dates for public hearings during the public review period of the Draft Bay Area to Central Valley HST Program EIR/EIS document. Additionally, Authority staff will present a summary of findings from the draft program EIR/EIS document. At the May 23, 2007 public board meeting the Authority staff had a presentation on the preliminary financing options and a Board Member majority approved a phasing strategy for HSR project that has the Anaheim/Los Angeles to Merced/Bay Area route as the starter segment. For information on the all of the Authority's work visit the Authority's website located at www.cahi hs eedrail.ca. ov. I look forward to seeing you in San Carlos at our Board Meeting. Sincerely, Mehdi Morshed, Executive Director 925 L Street,Suite 1425 Sacramento, CA 95814 916.324.1541 fax 916.322.0827 www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov B A K E R S F I E L D JUN 2 0 2007 CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: June 8, 2007 SUBJECT: STORM DRAIN DEBRIS ON EL TORO Referral No. 1770 COUNCILMEMBER CARSON REQUESTED STAFF ADDRESS A CITIZEN'S CONCERNS OF LEAVES, DEBRIS AND WATER BUGS IN STORM DRAINS ON EL TORO DRIVE. Staff will have the sewer manholes on El Toro Drive sprayed for bugs and roaches. No storm drains or storm lines are located on El Toro Drive. The catch basin and storm line is located at La France and El Sereno Drive, which is approximately two blocks away from 1113 El Toro Drive. Leaf Collection Season is from November through February of each year. During these months the Public is permitted to rake the leaves into a pile and place the pile two feet away from the curb. A Street Cleaning crew will pick up the piles on all City Streets. There is no set schedule for picking up leaves. The crew cycles the City as quick as they can. The leaf piles that were set out on El Toro Drive and surrounding streets in that neighborhood were picked up during the 2006/2007 Leaf collection season. Collecting leaves off the streets is a program that the Streets Division performs each year. It is not done for the benefit of the public. It is part of maintaining the storm system. It keeps the majority of leaves out of the storm system and allows for the streets to be swept. G:\GROUPDAT\Referrals\2007\06-06\Ref#1770 Storm Drain Issue.doc CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY PUBLIC MEETING June 27, 2007 San Mateo County Transit District, Board Room 1250 San Carlos Avenue San Carlos, CA 10:00 a.m. AL-enda Items 1. Approval of May 23,2007 Meeting Minutes Responsible Party Status Chairman Kopp A 2. Authority Members'Meetings for Compensation Chairman Kopp A 3. Election of Officers Chairman Kopp A 4. Member's Reports Chairman Kopp I 5. Executive Director's Report Mehdi Morshed A 6. Program Manager's Report Tony Daniels I 7. Project Management Oversight Staff will present an overview of the proposals received for the Program Management Oversight Carrie Pourvahidi A contract and the results of the selection process for Authority review and approval. 8. Public review period for, and dates and locations for public hearing on, the Draft Bay Area to Mehdi Morshed/ A Central Valley program EIR/EIS. Staff will present proposed locations and dates for public hearings during the public review Christine Sproul period of the Draft Bay Area to Central Valley HST Program EIRIEIS document for Board approval. 9. Presentation of the Draft Bay Area to Central Valley HST Program EIR/EIS Staff will present a summary offindings from this draft program EIR/IS document. Dan Leavitt I 10. Public Comment An opportunity for public comment will also be provided during each public agenda item. 11. Adjournment "A"denotes an `Action"item; I"denotes an `Information"item. Reasonable Accommodation for Any Individual with a Disabilit Any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate may request assistance by contacting the Authority at (916) 324-1541. Requests for additional accommodations for the disabled, signers, assistive listening devices,or translators should be made no later than one week prior to the meeting. 925 L Street, Suite 14259 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916)324-1541, (916) 322-0827 fax For further information you may visit the California High-Speed Rail website at www.cahiLi,hspeedrail.ca.gov