HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/15/2006 •
B A K E R S F I E L D
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
December 15, 2006
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager ���t lbs.
SUBJECT: General Information
1. Enclosed is correspondence received from the GSA this week. As a follow up to
our meeting with them last Friday, December 8th, they have requested a detailed
list of information as part of their assessment of the Central Park site for a federal
courthouse. Donna Kunz is handling the compilation of information to submit to
them.
2. Attached you will find a report from Risk Management on some very impressive
cost reductions and improved short and long term trends and financial savings,
both in the workers' compensation and light claims areas. Thanks are due to our
past and present Risk Managers, Pat Flaherty and Ralph Korn. Please review the
report and feel free to call with any questions or comments you may have.
3. Recreation and Parks' activity report for the month of November is attached for
your information.
4. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of December 18th is enclosed.
5. A special event to celebrate Kwanzaa will be held at the MILK Center on Saturday,
December, December 30th. Please see the enclosed flyer for more details. The
Recreation and Parks Department is a co-sponsor.
6. Responses to Councilmember requests are enclosed:
Councilmember Hanson
• Status report on the feasibility of placing a center barrier along Truxtun
Extension and review of speed limits and traffic control;
Councilmember Sullivan
• Repair of canal fence near Castle School.
AT:rs
cc: Department Heads
Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk
Dec-14-O6 04:02am From-U,S,GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 8PE +4155223201 T-646 P 02/03 F-81T
0
e GSA Pacific Rim Region
C EC 1 4 2008
A an G. Tandy
City Manager
City of Bakersfield
1 501 Truxtun Avenue
E akersfield CA 93301
Dear Mr. -Fandy:
Thank you for meeti%with us Friday December 8, 2006. During our meeting we advised you
tl at we would provide a listing of information we will require to coordinate an initial assessment
of the suitabilit,/ of the "Mill Creek" site as the potential site to be optioned as a donated site for
construction of afede-ally-supervised, leased built-to-suit United States Magistrate Court facility.
I hat listing folb�ws:
1. A dimensioned drawing reflecting the offered parcel, including all known or proposed
easemn nts, arid including any and all permitted or proposed pedestrian or vehicular
access and ec ress from the site.
2. A preliminary'itle report of the offered parcel(s) for verification of the logal description of
the property and to assess any restrictions on title such as easements, covenants, or
other right-of-way constraints. If available, an ALTA or boundary survoy.
3. CDpie: of all N nown or proposed covenants, codes or restrictions affet;ting the offered
site.
4. Environmental Information — if possible, a Phase I environmentai site assessment or
available soil: report for the offered site.
5. Environment£I (NEPA) -Available cultural resources reports that include assessments of
any threatened, rare & endangered species, wetlands,floodplain, archaeological and
historical pret;ervation issues.
6. Also, information pertaining to infrastructure ci_Ipacity and availability (sewer, water,
power, etc).
7. Statement of current use(s) of the property for determination of potential demolition and
Relocation Assistance impacts.
U.S.General Ser,,icoa Adminiatratien
450 Golden Gate Atenue
San Francisco,CA 94102.3434
www.gsa.gov
Dec-14-06 04:02am From-U,S,GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 9PE +4155223201 T-646 P 03/03 F-617
LE Iter to Alan G. Tandy/City of Bakersfield, CA
P,ige 2
8. Answers or narratives addressing the following NEPA checklist questions:
- Is the site in a Historical District?
Certification that the site is or is not in the 1O0-Year Flany applicable
Will the usE:of the land ('Action") be inconsistent with any applicable Federal, State,
Indian tribal, or local law, regulation, or standard designed to protect any aspect of
the environment?
Is the action likely to have results that are inconsistent with locally desired social,
economic, or other environmental conditions?
Is the action likely to result in the use, storage, release and/or disposal of toxic,
hazardous or radioactive materials or the exposure of people to such materials?
Is the acticn likely to adversely affect a significant aspect of the nalural environment?
Is the acticn likely to adversely affect a significant aspect of the so0oeultural
environment?
Is the action likely to generate controversy to environmental grounds?
Is tnere a high level of uncertainty about the action's environmental effects?
Is tie acticn likely to do something especially risky to the human environment?
Is the acticn part of an ongoing pattern of actions that are cumulatively likely to have
adverse effects on the human environment? if so,specify the anti;ipated impact.
Is the action likely to have some other adverse effects on public hoalth and safety or
on any ott er environmental media or resources that are not specified above?
Please provide the information as soon as possible but not later than February 1, 2007, so that
ve may enter into the next phase of designing and building a new facility for line Federal Courts
in Bakersfield
f you have tiny questions, comments, or concerns about any of the information we are
requesting above, ploase do not hesitate to contact me at (415) 522-3191 at your earliest
:onvenience.
Sincerely,
kaYKane
San Franci 3co Service Center (9PF)
uildings Seriice
cc: The Honorat,le Mayor Harvey Hall
Bakersfield City Council Members
The Honorable Robert E. Coyle
Senior U.S. ! jict Court Judge, Eastern District of California
Donna Kunz, Economic Development Director
Peter Shteyn, Contracting Officer, GSA
:Susan Kim, .ssistant Circuit Executive Spaco and Facilities
Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit, Office of the Circuit Executive
•
B A K E R S F I E L D
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
December 14, 2006
TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager
FROM: John W. Stinsomsistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Risk Management Activities and Trends
The Risk Management Division has been working hard the past several years to
improve efforts to control the City's exposure to risks and control costs related to
claims against the City. There are three major areas of risk which are addressed by
our activities. They are workers compensation, liability and property claims. Overall
our Risk Management efforts have achieved positive results and although we have
recently undergone a transition of staff we are actively continuing these efforts.
Workers Compensation:
Over the past several years workers compensation claims for the city and statewide
were on the rise due to State workers compensation laws. In April of 2004 SB899
went into effect which provided workers comp reform. This new legislation has
provided several tools for risk management to contain costs. Risk management staff
works closely with our workers compensation third party administrator AIMS to
manage claims and control costs.
Some examples of special efforts include the following:
• For FY 2005-06 overall workers compensation claims expenditures were reduced
by about $1 million or 29% lower than the previous fiscal year. This was due to
changes in the law and effective claims management efforts by staff as noted
below.
• For FY 2005-06 payments for temporary disability were reduced $334,714 or
37% lower than the previous fiscal year. This was due to a successful light duty
program that returns employees to work as soon as possible.
• For FY 2005-06 payments for miscellaneous claims expense (medical expenses,
etc.) were reduced $493,437 or 29% lower than the previous fiscal year. This
was due to changes in the law, effective claims management and use of bill
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review, utilization review and nurse case management services where
applicable.
• According to the recently completed actuarial review of the City's Workers
Compensation Program the number of claims per $1 million of payroll has
steadily decreased annually from 5.27 in FY 1996-97 to 2.96 for FY 2005-06.
This reflects a 43% decrease in the number of workers compensation claims filed
over the past 10 year period.
• Implementation within the next few months of a State approved medical provider
network which will help contain medical costs by coordinating and focusing
medical care with physicians who are familiar with workers compensation laws,
regulations and standards of care. We anticipate this will further reduce costs
due to better control of medical services provided our employees.
• The new Risk Manager has begun a program to conduct regularly scheduled
safety training meetings for employees for specific areas of concern and interest
such as working in confined spaces, traffic lane delineation, driver training, etc.
LiabilitV:
Liability claims expenses can vary due to a variety of circumstances. They can
result from a variety of incidents such as a car being damaged by a pothole in a
street, a sewer main back up, vehicle accident involving a city vehicle, or in some
cases very serious accidents or incidents involving city employees or property. By
their nature they vary over time.
Our claims philosophy is to pay those claims for which we owe money and are
responsible for and to resist paying those where liability has not been proven and
that we are not responsible for. We make every effort to dispose of claims at the
earliest possible stage before the claimant retains an attorney, if possible. In some
instances however, our initial notice of a claim comes from an attorney. We work to
quickly and thoroughly to investigate each claim to determine the extent of city
liability, the sufficiency of the claim and to pursue prompt resolution of the matter.
When claims become litigated we work closely with the City Attorney and outside
counsel to provide technical support and information regarding the claim in order to
achieve settlements that are in the best interests of the City.
Trends for liability claims include the following:
• During last five years overall liability claims paid for FY 2002-2003 were highest
at about $1.6 million. This amount has decreased each of the past three years in
the following amounts: FY 2003-04 $1.2 million; FY 2004-05 $762,486; FY 2005-
06 $640,755. This number has gone down partly because of a reduction in the
number and severity of large claims and a reduction in routine claims. While
these numbers have shown a downward trend, a single large claim can quickly
reverse that. For example, in the current fiscal year we already have one
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expense that was about $937,000 (for the Peel case) which will significantly
impact expenditures for this fiscal year.
Adjusting out the large claims expenditures (Those in excess of $50,000 - which
tend to skew the liability expenditures for more routine claims), the remaining
liability expenses for more routine claims over the past five years have ranged
from about $375,000 to $666,000 each year and average about $525,000.
Liability expenses for more routine claims in FY 2005-06 were about 448,717 and
were $198,000 or about 30% lower than the prior fiscal year. For the current
fiscal year they are about $179,245 to date. As stated earlier, some of this
change is due to circumstance, however, given the increased size of the City,
increased number of City employees and vehicles on the road, increased
numbers of City facilities such as parks and roadways it is remarkable the
amount of routine claims has not increased significantly. This is likely due to the
efforts of our employees to act in a safe manner; efforts of City departments to
properly maintain City facilities and working with Risk Management to eliminate
or reduce risks; efforts by Risk Management to effectively manage claims; and in
the event a claim becomes litigated, work by the City Attorney's office to
successfully defend or as needed, settle claims.
• The City limits its liability through participation in a risk sharing pool with 11 other
California cities, this pool is referred to as ACCEL. The City's Risk Manager
serves on the Board of Directors of the pool with Risk Managers from the other
member cities. The pool assumes a portion of the risk in excess of the City's self
insured retention and purchases liability insurance above the pool's share. This
program has been in place for over 20 years and has had positive results for the
City. As a result of positive underwriting results and effective claims
of 400 000 several
received a rebate $
the City of Bakersfield ,
management, y
months ago. This was from prior years contributions
which we re no longer
required for claims payments for the pool due to positive resolution of those
claims by the ACCEL pool.
• Non-insurance risk transfer is an important part of our risk management program.
This occurs when we require contractors to name the City as an additional
insured on their liability policies. In the event of a claim arising out of the
involved project, the City is able to tender the defense of the claim to the
contractor who has agreed to defend and indemnify the City. In order to ensure
that this is available to us, Risk Management reviews all proposed contracts to
be certain that contractors maintain adequate insurance limits with acceptable
insurance companies. This has become more challenging to monitor due to the
level of construction activity and changes within the insurance underwriting
industry. Risk Management staff continues to monitor the insurance industry
trends to determine if our limits and requirements meet current standards
Property:
In the area of Property insurance, it is Risk Management's responsibility to ensure
that all City real and personal property is adequately insured against exposures to
S:\JOHN\Risk Management\Risk Management Trends 2006.dot
loss. We annually review coverage for adequacy, price and reliability of insurers. At
the present time, the City is investigating the advantages of moving the Property
insurance to one of the large public entity insurance pools such as California State
Association of Counties (CSAC).
summary:
As you can see, the Risk Management Division is very active and committed to
limiting the risks of the City and their potential costs. We also continue to maintain a
broad based Risk Management program including the following elements:
• Employee safety monitoring and accident prevention activities including
overseeing the employee safety committee that reviews accidents by City
employees to determine prevention strategies and promote safety programs
and loss control efforts within departments.
• Coordinate and conduct monthly safety training sessions on diverse subjects
such as confined space entry, forklift safety, first aid and cpr, and safety
around electrical and mechanical equipment.
• Conduct training in workers' compensation for supervisors and managers on
at least a semi-annual basis.
• Perform DOT commercial driver monitoring required by the Federal
Government which includes random drug testing.
• Provide an employee safety equipment program which provides specialized
safety equipment for our workers including safety footwear.
• Recovery of restitution from those who damage City Property.
• Maintenance of our airport and aircraft liability insurance programs.
• Arrange Special Event insurance coverage for persons/groups that wish to
use City property for a function.
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`f
• II DEC ? Z'I6
1�___. I
CITY M1.iAANAGER'S OFFICE
B A K E R S F 1 E L D
Department of Recreation and Parks
Date: December 7, 2006
To: Alan Tandy
C
From: 6/111400ver
Subject: November Monthly Report
ADMINISTRATION
• Successfully completed the agreement between the Bakersfield
Southwest Baseball Association and the City of Bakersfield to construct
and manage the park at Jewetta.
• Reservations in the parks in November were well above last year's
reservations for the same time: 65 park reservations, with 2 special events
as opposed to 18 reservations in November, 2005. Total attendance for
the reservations only was 5,255.
• Agreements were approved for two new 10 acre parks to be developed
within the City in the Hills development.
• Approximately 9.3 acres of streetscape were accepted into the one year
maintenance period, and .2 acres were accepted into regular
maintenance. These areas include 423 trees and over 4,000 shrubs.
• Our office is also handling the fingerprinting of all city employees,
including police and fire which is taking a tremendous amount of clerical
staff time.
PARKS DIVISION
• Team members from the Parks Division won the first place trophy for the
second year in a row at the regional Park Rodeo competition in Visalia.
• Westwold playground renovations were completed. We ran into several
hurdles with the installer, sand delivery, and the safety surfacing which
created more delays than usual. The playground did pass inspection, and
is now open to the public.
• A new heater and filtration system for Silver Creek Pool is on order and
will be installed before the schools start practice in January.
• New playgrounds for this next year include Castle, Haggin Oaks,
Jefferson, Seimon and Patriot's parks.
• Four median strips on Hageman Road, west of Calloway were completed
with irrigation, and the planting of trees and turf.
• Twenty-one trees were planted, 261 trees trimmed including Wayside
Park and some at Central Park around the Community House. The tree
trimming contract is working well, and improving the city's trees.
• Holiday lights were installed in front of City Hall, and on Centennial Plaza.
• Routine maintenance of checking sprinkler systems, mowing, trimming,
trash removal and spraying continue in all city parks and streetscapes.
• Completed the dog run at Seasons Park, created primarily for small dogs.
• We have sold a total of 34 memorial benches (out of 49 possible) at the
Park at River Walk.
• Two call boxes were installed at the Park at River Walk.
• Our contractor for rodent abatement has been very busy this fall especially
along the bikeway and Coffee Road.
• Vandalism repairs range from sprinkler heads to play equipment as well
as graffiti removal.
AQUATICS
• Attendance at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center increased by 181% as
compared to November 2005: from 567 to 1,629 this year.
• The 100 mile club is up to 210 members who have swam a combined total
of 6,300 miles.
• The Bakersfield Swim Club held a meet at McMurtrey on November 4th
with about 200 swimmers and spectators present.
• The Thanksgiving Day Turkey Splash went very well and received news
coverage all over California and even as far as Little Rock, Arkansas.
ATHLETICS
• Fall adult softball wrapped up its season in late November.
• Staff is working with the Bakersfield Jam to hold a clinic for kids soon.
• New sports programs are being planned for the spring.
Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CENTER
• Total attendance at the center was 2,967 which include the gym rentals,
after school programs, and other classes.
• Staff continues to work with the South East Neighborhood Partnership to
develop more special event programs for next year, including the Good
neighbor festival.
• Various staff members planned and executed the Professional
Development Conference for CPRS, District 5. Several park and
recreation professionals from surrounding states came to the MLK center
to hear guest speakers on various such as Effective Pruning, Safety in the
Workplace, and Change.
SILVER CREEK CENTER
• The After School Program continues to be full to capacity every week.
• Three center rentals were completed this month.
• The Turkey shoot — a basketball shooting contest for turkey dinners —was
held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. There was higher attendance
last year on a Friday night, so this event will evaluated for best results.
• Staff worked hard on the brochure which will be mailed in early January.
Page 1 of 2
STREETS DIVISION —WORK SCHEDULE
WEEK OF DECEMBER 18 — DECEMBER 22, 2006
Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas:
As weather permits we will continue putting an asphalt concrete base on streets
that will be reconstructed in the area between So. Real Road and Akers Road,
south of White lane
Miscellaneous Streets Division proiects:
Continue installing curb & gutter in the area between California Avenue &
Chester Lane, east of Oak Street.
Continue installing curb & gutters in the southeast redevelopment area between
Union Avenue & "P" Street, California Avenue to 4th Street.
1 211 412 0 0 6C\DOCUME-1\rsmiley\LOCALS-1\Temp\Work Schedule-Week of December 18_2006.doc,2006.doc
Page 2 of 2
STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE
Monday, December 18, 2006
Between Panama Lane & Panama Road, Stine Road to 99 Highway.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Between Ming Avenue & White Lane, Stine Road to Wilson Road/Westholme
Drive.
Between District Boulevard & Panama Lane, Gosford Road to Ashe Road.
Between Ashe Road & Stine Road, from Panama Lane south to the Railroad
tracks.
All the cul-de-sacs south of Angela Way between Manley Court & Chris Court.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Between Old River Road & Gosford Road, White Lane to Pacheco Road.
Between White Lane & Panama Lane, Old River Road to Buena Vista Road.
Between College Avenue & Willis Avenue, Morning Drive to Park Drive.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Between Stockdale Highway & White Lane, Gosford Road to Ashe Road.
Between Ming Avenue & White Lane, Ashe Road to Wilson Road/Westholme
Drive.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Between Stockdale Highway & Ming Avenue, Allen Road to Old River Road.
Between Old River Road & Gosford Road, Ming Avenue to White Lane.
12/14/2006C.\DOCUME-1\rsmiley\LOCALS-1\Temp\Work Schedule-Week of December 18_2006.doc,2006.doc
y., VYANZAA 2006
HARAMBEE
-ter
µ
Let's All Pull Together
Celebrating, Building and Strengthening,
Our Family, Community, And Cultural Bonds
You are cordially invited to an enriching evening
` full of expressions of heritage and culture.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006 6 pm - 9 pm
WHERE: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
1000 S. Owens Street —.iq
Planned activities include an African Art Gallery;cultural poetry;performances
by the Oblinyanko Drum & Dance Ensemble, and the Martin Luther King Center
Club;African folktales;and vendors with heritage and cultural merchandise.
Sponsored By: The SANKOFA Collective; New Spirit Women's Group; and
Bakersfield Recreation & Parks Department
FOR MORE INFORMATION .... 0 PLEASE CALL 319 - 7611
AFRICAN ATTIRE IS EMPHASIZED <==> REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED
r�
B A K E R s F I E L D DEC 14 t''No
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager
FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director
DATE: December 7, 2006
SUBJECT: TRUXTUN EXTENSION TRAFFIC ISSUES
Referral No. 1672
COUNCILMEMBER HANSON REQUESTED PUBLIC WORKS STAFF LOOK INTO
THE FEASIBILITY OF PLACING A CENTER BARRIER ALONG TRUXTUN
EXTENSION TO HELP PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND REPORT BACK TO COUNCIL
POLICE STAFF TO REVIEW SPEED LIMITS AND SPEED CONTROL AS A
PREVENTIVE MEASURE AND REPORT BACK TO COUNCIL.
The Traffic Engineering staff will investigate the warrants for installation of a positive
barrier on Truxtun Avenue and include an estimate of cost for construction. At this time,
the accident investigation report has not been received from the Police Department for
use in the engineering warrant study. When received, the engineering analysis will
continue and a report/response delivered.
C:\DOCUME-1\Iskinner\LOCALS-1\Temp\XPgrpwise\Ref#1672 Truxtun Ext..doc
•
L'CEWED
B A K E R S F I E L D DEC 12 2006
MEMORANDUM CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
December 12, 2006
TO: Alan Tandy, City N n Q-
FROM: Maurice Randall,, Business Manager
THROUGH: Flom Core, Water Resources Manager
SUBJECT: CANAL FENCE REPAIR NEAR CASTLE SCHOOL
Council Referral No. 001663 (Ward No. 6)
During the City Council meeting of November 15, 2006, Council Member Sullivan
requested staff repair the fence located between Castle school and the canal behind the
school.
The chain link fence adjacent to a sump located next to Castle Park near Castle School
was repaired by Water Resources maintenance crew on November 20, 2006.