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Home My WebLink About8/31/2007 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM August 31, 2007 TO: Honorable Mayor and City,Council FROM: Alan Tandy, C y hltanN�agt�er SUBJECT: General Information 1. The California Supreme Court recently issued its ruling on a case involving the release of salary information. As many of you know, this has been a subject of debate for some time and we have been seeking clarity from the Courts. We now have a California Supreme Court decision which concludes that the names and amounts of compensation paid to employees by governmental entities are subject to Public Records Act requests for disclosure. Therefore, future requests along these guidelines will be disclosed. 2. Enclosed are two press releases regarding the SR 178/Fairfax Road Interchange Project. On Wednesday night, Parsons Corporation was awarded the contract for construction management and inspection services. This is the first project to start construction under the Thomas Roads Improvement Program. Construction is expected to begin in early October 2007 and will take approximately two years to complete. TRIP will be hosting an information meeting/open house on September 5th for the SR 178/Fairfax Interchange Project. The public is invited to stop by anytime at Highland High School, located at 2900 Royal Scots Way, between 4:30 and 7:30 pm to view construction and landscaping plans for the interchange project. TRIP and CalTrans representatives will also be on hand to answer any questions. 3. Attached is a letter that we are sending out to inform property owners that the sewer project for the McDonald area has been completed and is fully operational. 4. The southbound SR-99 on-ramp from eastbound White Lane will be closed beginning September 11 th for reconstruction. During this project, which will last four months, people traveling east on White Lane wishing to head south on SR 99 will be detoured to the Panama Lane on-ramp. 5. Two events are coming to the Bright House Networks Ampitheater in early September. The Bakersfield Symphony will perform their opening, popular concert under the stars on Saturday, Septemer 8th. On Sunday, September 91h, you will be able to hear two great performers on one ticket: The Doobie Brothers and Peter Frampton. To date, 1,470 tickets have been sold for the Doobie/Frampton concert. 6. Construction is underway for the Garden Project at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. 7. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of August 27th is enclosed. Honorable Mayor and City Council August 31, 2007 Page 2 8. Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Councilmember Carson • Response to standing water in swimming pools; • Response to golf course on Belle Terrace; and, Councilmember Sullivan • Response to removal of dirt at Hwy 178 and Comanche Drive. AT:rs:rk cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk Thomas Roads Improvement Program Thori<Roads Improvem n t Program 900 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 200, Bakersfield, California 93301 Telephone: (661)326-3700 • Fax: (661) 852-2195 ,,,,CpNn¢cttn9 3ake�sgtela FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Janet Wheeler Thursday, August 30, 2007 Public Relations (661) 326-3491 City Council selects construction management firm for SR-178/Fairfax Interchange The Bakersfield City Council awarded a $2.9 million contract last night to Parsons Corporation for construction management and inspection services on the State Route (SR) 178/Fairfax Road Interchange Project. The interchange will be the first project to start construction under the Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP). Under the contract, Parsons will help the City manage the overall schedule, ensure conformance with plans and specifications, and assure the quality of materials used to build the project. Parsons is one of the largest and top-ranked management, engineering, and construction companies in the United States, with more than 11,000 employees worldwide and revenues exceeding $3.3 billion in 2006. The SR-178 at Fairfax Road Interchange project has been designed to improve traffic circulation in Northeast Bakersfield. It includes constructing a new interchange at the current at-grade SR- 178 and Fairfax Road intersection. Project plans also include widening Fairfax Road across SR- 178, installing sound walls, and landscaping. Construction is expected to begin in early October 2007 and take approximately two years to complete. The project is funded through TRIP (from the 2005 Federal Transportation Act— SAFETEA-LU), State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the City of Bakersfield traffic impact fees. For more information, please contact Janet Wheeler, TRIP Public Outreach, at (661) 326-3491 or visit the website at www.bakersfieldfreeways.us. Managed by the City of Bakersfield in cooperation with County of Kern•California Department of Transportation www.Bakersfieldfreeways.us Thomas Roads Improvement Program Thomas Pprouem oe t•Program 900 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 200, Bakersfield, California 93301 Telephone: (661)326-3700 • Fax: (661) 852-2195 C0+n�ting Bakes`s�t¢C� FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Janet Wheeler August 29, 2006 Public Relations (661) 326-3491 Open House Scheduled for State Route 178 at Fairfax Road Interchange The Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), invites the public to attend a Neighborhood Open House on September 5, 2007 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Highland High School cafeteria to discuss the upcoming construction of the Fairfax Road Interchange on (SR) 178. Work on the project is expected to begin in early October. The open house provides area property owners and the motoring public an opportunity to view construction and landscaping plans for the interchange project. TRIP and Caltrans representatives will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the various aspects of construction, including timelines, detours and aesthetics. Bakersfield City Councilmember Ken Weir will be in attendance after 5:30 p.m. There will be a presentation on the project and the proposed landscaping plans from 6:30 to 7 p.m., but the public is welcome to stop by anytime between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. to view the exhibits and ask questions. Highland High School is located at 2900 Royal Scots Way, Bakersfield. For additional information, please visit the TRIP website at www.bakersfieldfreeways.us or contact Janet Wheeler at (661) 326-3491. Managed by the City of Bakersfield in cooperation with County of Kern•California Department of Transportation www.Bakersfieldfreeways.us E R L D IT,B1,WWORKS DEP.ARTNNI ENT I�01 '7I3`M"UN VF'JA— F:3AKERS I£.'.LD, C.,%1333171 {t;.£ !i ;,3'_26_;3;24 August 24, 2007 Re: McDonald Sewer Project Update To Whom It May Concern: The City of Bakersfield would like to inform the property owners that the sewer project for the McDonald area has been completed and is fully operational. Now that the sewer system is in place, property owners have the opportunity to connect to the City sewer any time they wish. Sewer connection and construction fees may be paid up front or arrangements can be made to have them placed on the property taxes. Doing this now will save money. The sewer connection fee increases 10% per year, and the construction fee increases 3% per year. P If you have already paid for the fees or have arranged for the fees to be placed on your property taxes, you may contact Matt Harvick, at(661) 326-3644 of the City of Bakersfield Building Department, at 1715 Chester Avenue, to obtain a permit to abandon the septic tank and connect to the City sewer. He will have a list of the people who have signed agreements or who have already paid a portion or all of their fees. If you have not paid for the fees nor have arranged to have them placed on your property taxes, you may do so now, by contacting either John Stinson, at (661) 326-3592, or Dan Anson, at (661) 326-3584, of the City of Bakersfield Engineering Subdivisions. They will prepare an agreement to place the fees on your property taxes. Once the agreement has been signed, City Engineering staff will contact the City Building Department and let them know that payment for the required fees has been arranged. At that time you may contact Matt Harvick, to obtain a permit to abandon the septic tank and connect to the City sewer. You may, also, prepay the fees or arrange to have them placed on your property taxes now, in order to save the increasing costs, even if you are not ready to connect to the City sewer at this time; contact John Stinson or Dan Anson as noted above, and they will be able to assist you. There is a grant available until December 31, 2008, for property owners who qualify. If you need more information about this option, please contact Tammie Polk at (661) 852-7536, of the Economic and Community Development Department. If you have any questions about this project, please call Arnold Ramming at 661-326-3591. Very truly yours, 'RAUL M. ROJAS Public Works Director c: Council Member Irma Carson Phil Burns Alan Tandy Vince Zaragoza Jack LaRochelle Amador Galvez, PG&E Arnold Ramming Stuart Patteson Rick Millwee Reading File SAPROJECTStRItTrojects 03-041E2K0121mccdonald sewer final notification.doc • B A K E R S F 1 E L D Public Works Department Raul M. Rojas, Public Works Director PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stuart Patteson August 28, 2007 Construction Superintendent (661) 326-3049 NOTICE OF RAMP CLOSURE Reconstruction of On-ramp at Eastbound White Lane to Southbound SR 99: The City of Bakersfield Public Works Department in cooperation with CalTrans has contracted for the reconstruction of the southbound on-ramp to freeway 99 from eastbound White Lane. This work will require the closure of the on-ramp starting September 11 and is anticipated to last four months. During this project, people traveling east on White Lane wishing to head south on State Route 99 will be detoured south on Wible Road to the Panama Lane on-ramp. We appreciate the Public's patience during the temporary delays to traffic on the affected roads. For more information, please contact Stuart Patteson, Construction Superintendent for the City Public Works Department, at 326-3049. C:\DOCUME-1\RKIRKW-1\LOCALS-1\Temp\XPgrpwise\PW-White Ln SR99 Ramp closure 08-28-07.doc Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 3 — SEPTEMBER 7, 2007 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Continue working the street reconstruction project in the area between Pacheco Road and Fairview Road, So. "H" Street and Monitor Street. Preparing streets for reconstruction in the area of No. Halfmoon Drive and Olympia Drive, So. Laurelglen and Denver Way. Resurfacing streets in the area between McDonald Way and N. Stine Road, north of Stockdale Highway. Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Continue installing curb and gutter in the area between California Avenue and 4th Street, Union Avenue and "P" Street. Installing catch basins Benton Street, between Wilson Road and Belvedere Avenue. Continue working on installing curb and gutters in the area between Alta Vista Drive and Baker Street, Flower Street and 178 Highway. (CDBG FUNDED) CAD0CUME-1\RKIRKW-1\LOCALS-1\Temp\XPgrpwise\Week of September 3,2007_Work Schedule.doc Page 2 of 2 STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, September 3, 2007 HOLIDAY. Tuesday, September 4, 2007 Between California Avenue and Brundage Lane, Oak street to Union Avenue. Wednesday, September 5, 2007 City streets in the area between Panorama Drive and Columbus Street, River Boulevard to E. Columbus Street. Between W. Columbus Street and Bernard Street, San Dimas Street and Union Avenue. Between Stockdale Highway and Truxtun Avenue, Coffee Road and Hewlett Street. Thursday, September 6, 2007 Between Truxtun Avenue and Brundage Lane, Union Avenue and Washington Street. Between Bernard Street and Niles Street, Alta Vista Drive to Owens Street. City area between Owens Street and Williams Street, Flower to Kentucky. Between Kroll Way and Camino Media, Gosford Road to Don Hart Drive. Between Pacheco Road and Panama Lane, Old River Road to Progress Road. Friday, September 7, 2007 Between Paladino Drive and 178 Highway, Morning Drive to Columbus Street. City area between 178 Highway and Azalea Avenue, Media Luna Avenue to Fairfax Road. Area between 178 Highway and College Avenue, east and west side of Fairfax Road Between Ming Avenue and White Lane, Allen Road to Old River Road. Between Pensinger Road and Panama Lane, Freesia Way to Buena Vista Road. CADOCUME-1\RKIRKW-1\LOCALS-1\Temp\XPgrpwise\Week of September 3,2007_Work Schedule.doc i /Xws� AUG � �'2007 B A K E R S F I E L D Development Services Department Stanley C. Grady, Director M E M O R A N D U M TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: STANLEY C. GRADY, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR DATE: August 28, 2007 SUBJECT: COUNCIL MEETING ON AUGUST 15, 2007: RESPONSE TO STANDING WATER IN SWIMMING POOLS Council Referral No. 1800 COUNCILMEMBER CARSON REQUESTED STAFF INVESTIGATE AND PROVIDE A RESPONSE AS TO WHETHER THE CITY CAN BILL PROPERTY OWNERS FOR CLEANING THE STANDING WATER IN SWIMMING POOLS IN HOMES WHICH ARE IN FORECLOSURE. At this time, we have to receive a complaint about a property before we address a pool that has not been maintained. We are currently working with some of the local real estate agents in an attempt to be both educational for sellers and pro-active. If we are informed of a pool that is not being maintained, we either consider it an immediate danger to life and safety and use our 48-hour abatement process or if not that bad send the property through normal abatement process. Kern Mosquito and Vector Control has flown part of the city and are addressing pools that can be seen by airplane. They are only addressing the mosquito problem and not the other related issues such as odor, attractive nuisance, etc. Staff is making efforts to obtain information from Kern Vector and Mosquito Control. SG\dlc B A K E R S F I E L D Development Services Department Stanley C. Grady, Director M E M O R A N D U M TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: STANLEY C. GRADY, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR DATE: August 29, 2007 SUBJECT: COUNCIL MEETING ON AUGUST 15, 2007: RESPONSE TO GOLF COURSE ON BELLE TERRACE Council Referral No. 1801 Councilmember Carson requested staff provide a status update regarding the Old Golf Course property on Belle Terrace. The Golf Course has gone out of business. The buildings have been abandoned and the landscaping has been allowed to die. Code Enforcement has been very active in regards to this site. They have cleaned up the club house, removed graffiti and boarded up the structure. The free standing building which houses the restrooms has had similar treatment. A considerable amount of illegal dumping has occurred and Code Enforcement has removed more than 200 tires. Code Enforcement anticipates on going problems as much of the old Golf Course is relatively inaccessible, which provides considerable opportunity for illegal dumping and related activities. SAJosie\CCReferrakform.doc AUG 2 ' 2007 B A K E R S F I E L D Development Services Department Stanley C. Grady, Director M E M O R A N D U M TO: ALAN TANDY, CITY MANAGER FROM: STANLEY C. GRADY, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR DATE: August 28, 2007 SUBJECT: COUNCIL MEETING ON AUGUST 15, 2007: RESPONSE TO REMOVAL OF DIRT AT HWY 178 AND COMANCHE Council Referral No. 1806 COUNCILMEMBER SULLIVAN REQUESTED STAFF CONTACT DEVELOPERS REGARDING MOUNTAINS OF DIRT AT THE INTERSECTION OF HWY 178 AND COMANCHE DRIVE TO DETERMINE PLANS FOR REMOVAL AND REPORT BACK TO COUNCIL. We are in the process of reviewing a grading plan to level the mound on the SW corner of 178 and Comanche. According to the owners representative, this mound should be leveled across about 6 acres of the site within 45 days. We are in the process of addressing the other mound on the NW corner. At this time, I do not have a time frame. The owner does understand that the mound has to be moved. SG\dlc