HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/10/2009 B A K E R S F I E L D
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
April 10, 2009
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager
SUBJECT: General Information
GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!
• Our Blue and White Collar employees have ratified an agreement to forgo the 4%
COLA salary increase for 2010. 1 appreciate the cooperation of the employees and
the bargaining team during these extremely difficult times the City is facing. All are to
be commended for making a personal sacrifice to lessen the damage to City
operations and the services we provide the taxpayers.
• Aera Park is about a week from opening. It is going to be an outstanding addition to
the community and represents a partnership between the community
members/parents and the City. If you get the chance, please go to the opening on
Saturday, April 18th at 8:00 a.m. This coincides with the league's opening day, so the
games will begin right after the ribbon cutting ceremonies. Aera Energy will be
honored for its donation, along with all of the volunteers and small businesses that
made this park possible. If you cannot make this date, please let us know and we will
take you on a tour. In these financially difficult times it is great to have the
maintenance being done by community members!
• The SMG staff tells us that the show "Walking with Dinosaurs" is headed toward being
our all time sales leader at the arena. The last of seven shows is Saturday night.
MORE ON THE BUDGET AND THE ECONOMY
1. Enclosed are more articles from various newspapers that highlight the difficult times
public agencies are facing and how they are adjusting their budgets.
CLAREMONT, CA — All six unions and associations that represent Claremont's
employees agreed to reductions in payroll and benefits totaling $1.16 million to solve a
$2 million deficit. The reductions include forgoing cost-of-living adjustments for one
year.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA — After the 2007 Santiago fire, a series of recommendations
to make the county's largest firefighting force better equipped is being put on hold to
Honorable Mayor and City Council
April 10, 2009
Page 2
save $1.7 million in next year's budget. The unforgiving economy has forced OCFA
department heads to cut 10 percent of their budgets and freeze positions.
SANTA ANA, CA - The city's fire department has chipped $2.7 million from its $54
million budget by pushing back training, holding vacant firefighting positions open and
pulling firefighters from desk jobs and sending them back into the field.
FULLERTON, CA — The city is under a hiring freeze for all positions paid out of the
General Fund. To cut 3 percent from its budget, the fire department is delaying non-
mandatory training and putting off replacing fire vehicles and building maintenance.
SAN JOSE, CA — San Jose firefighters offered to forgo raises in the next budget year
as a goodwill gesture to help the city save money as it faces a more than $61 million
deficit.
Another article is enclosed that highlights the affect the stock market's decline has had
on San Jose's pension costs. Taxpayers may have to pay as much as $50 million
extra to cover losses in the city's retirement funds.
STOCKTON, CA — Near the end of March, the city issued notices to forty-five police
officers that their positions may be eliminated. The city is facing a $31 million budget
deficit next year, and is now contemplating a 21 percent cut to its police force. A plan
that will be considered by the City Council's budget and finance committee includes
laying off as many as ninety-five police officers and cutting everything but routine
patrol and general investigations. The layoffs may be avoided if the city can negotiate
about $6 million in concessions from the rank-and-file police union. In a written
statement, the City Manager stated, "...the only way to address such a huge shortfall
is to pay employees less of pay fewer employees."
MISCELLANEOUS CITY NEWS
Residents are now able to reserve four new picnic areas in the following parks:
Windsor Park, Deer Peak Park, Pin Oak Park, and Windemere Park.
The Recreation & Parks monthly report for March 2009 is enclosed.
The Streets Division work schedule for the week of April 13th is enclosed.
Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows:
Councilmember Hanson
• Prevention and rapid re-housing for the homeless.
AT:rs:rk
cc: Department Heads
Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk
Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk
City employees do the right thing -DailyBulletin.com Page 1 of 2
Claremont Management Association, $200,000;the San
Bernardino Public Employees'Association,
City do the $256,000;the Claremont Management
Y Association, $235,000; the Claremont Employees'
right thing Association, $100,000, and the Claremont
Professional Employees'Association,$71,000.
Created:03/27/2009 05:40:28 PM PDT All city employees, from City Manager Jeffrey
Claremont's city employees deserve a lot of Parker on down, agreed to forgo cost-of-living
credit for their reasonable approach to the adjustments for one year and to eliminate their
economic downturn and the pressure it has put performance bonuses and health and fitness
on the city's budget. reimbursements for the remainder of their
contracts.
In response to the$2 million deficit that the
city's finance department projected for the 2009- Of course, no one likes to see their
10 fiscal year, all six unions and associations compensation reduced, but these employee
that represent Claremont's employees agreed to associations have done the right thing for
reductions in payroll and benefits totaling $1.16 themselves and for taxpayers, keeping the city
million. fiscally sound while avoiding the need for layoffs
in their ranks.
As taxpayers dumbfoundedly watch their elected
leaders at state and federal levels fail to grasp "We wanted to do our part with the city,"said
the need for collective belt-tightening, it's Lisa Prasse, city planner and president of the
gratifying to see such an example set by elected Claremont Management Association."
leaders and public servants on the local level.
It's healthy that managers sacrificed along with
The Claremont City Council voted Tuesday night the rank-and-file workers.And the cooperation
to finish filling the budget gap through displayed reflects a good relationship between
operational savings($516,000-including the managers and employees.
largest chunk, $154,300,from administrative
services), some one-time revenue, holding some "I think in light of seeing what other cities are
vacant positions open and spending$117,000 going through, I really give our staff a lot of
from city reserves. kudos for giving up their benefits to help us
through these times,"said City Councilman Sam
Earlier,the Claremont Police Officers' Pedroza. "Our employee associations were very
Association had agreed to$297,000 in gracious in their negotiations."
compensation cuts;the Claremont Police
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City employees do the right thing - DailyBulletin.com Pagc 2 of 2
It's great in these rocky economic times to see
public employees realize that they need to
tighten their belts a bit along with everyone else,
including the taxpayers who provide their livings.
It sets a good example for other governments at
all levels ... if only they would emulate it.
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Money trouble cuts into firefighting resources fire, firefighters, department, million,money-News - 0... Page 1 of 4
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Wednesday, March 25, 2009 economics lesson. The money just isn't
there.
Money troubles cut The crew, part of a series of
recommendations approved after the 2007
into firefighting Santiago fire to make the county's largest
firefighting force better equipped for
resources monster wildfires, is being put on hold to
save $1.7 million in next year's budget. The
part-time crew was disbanded earlier this
year, leaving OCFA without a hand crew to
Despite recommendations call on.
to increase staff to fight A plan to bolster wildland engine crews from
wildfires, O.C. agencies find three to four firefighters is being delayed,
even though the increase is recommend as
themselves having to cut minimum staffing levels by the National Fire
back. Protection Association and touted by the Fire
Authority as increasing firefighter safety and
helping crews to snuff out fires before they
By KIMBERLY EDDS rage out of control.
The Orange County Register "We won't be able to respond as efficiently
as we would be able to if we didn't defer
Prospective members of the Orange County those," OCFA Battalion Chief Kris
Fire Authority's new full-time 22-man hand Concepcion said.
crew—a rough-and-tumble crowd willing to
do the backbreaking work of cutting fire At a time when America's police forces are
lines—showed up to the department's Irvine literally counting bullets to save a buck,
headquarters in pressed suits and shined firefighters are tightening the belts on their
shoes for their oral board interviews. turnouts as they try to ride out the roughest
economic times since the 1970s.
The required written test was a distant
memory. But instead of job offers last week, The New York City Fire Department was
those who passed the interview got an making ends meet by closing several engine
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companies overnight, but as money has putting our money where our mouth is," said
become even more limited, the department is Concepcion in March 2008. The department
considering closing 16 fire companies fast-tracked ordering two Bell 412
entirely, along with mothballing 30 helicopters at$21.6 million.
ambulances. Volunteer fire departments
make up the lion's share of America's But before many of the recommendations
firefighting force, but many, including those were rolled out, the Freeway Complex fire
in Stamford, Conn., are flirting with ripped through Orange County last
bankruptcy. November, destroying 114 homes and
30,305 acres. Two years after the
A total of 1.4 million acres of California recommendations, unforgiving economics
wildland transformed into scorched earth in have forced OCFA department heads to cut
2008 as firestorms raged, chewing through 10 percent of their budgets. Positions have
nearly a quarter of all the acres burned in the been frozen.
United States last year.
Janice Beasley, whose home near the mouth
Firefighting costs for the 2008 season have of Modjeska Canyon was destroyed in the
topped $1 billion. The population of Santiago Fire in October 2007, was
California has more than tripled since 1950, displeased at news of the cutbacks.
with more than half of new homes being built
in severe fire danger zones. "The help needs to go to our fire
department," she said. "We didn't have
Massive firestorms that chase thousands enough help to begin with, and now this?"
from their homes and tax already weary
firefighters are becoming the rule rather The Santiago fire destroyed 15 homes in the
than the exception as more people move canyon communities of Modjeska and
next to wilderness areas. Trabuco. Like many victims, the Beasleys
have rebuilt or still are in the process of
Harsh realities of the 2007 Santiago fire doing so. The family's 3-acre horse property
during which crews had to go it largely alone on Santiago Canyon Road was destroyed by
for hours if not days were met by the OCFA the arson-set Santiago fire.
with 26 aggressive recommendations for
$14.1 million in staffing and equipment, in For more than a year, the Beasleys have
addition to two new helicopters to replace been living out of a trailer. They lost most of
their two Vietnam-era helicopters. "We're their possessions and relied on friends and
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neighbors for handouts, paramedic school next month were told they
would have to wait until next year. Overtime
Budget crisis or not, Beasley's anger at the is being used to fill in for vacant spots, which
cutbacks spilled out to include the saves money in benefits, but consecutive
announced closing of nearby Silverado shifts can wear on firefighters. Santa Ana
Elementary School and other things see sees limits its firefighters to working 96 hours in
as community necessities. a row.
"They need to cut the money at the top, from "My biggest worry is overloading the
the salaries of the senators and the other firefighters," Fire Chief Mark Martin said. "I
politicians who continue to get raises," know they like the overtime, but I want to
Beasley said. "My husband took a pay cut make sure they are able to do their job."
because of the poor economy—why not
these people?" And the department's maintenance staff has
been cut in half, leaving one man responsible
The necessity of having a well-funded for keeping all the fire trucks and engines
firefighting organization usually only is running, along with all the tools, equipment
recognized when disaster strikes and and turnouts for more than 200 firefighters.
immediately afterward, when the disaster still "That's a lot for one person," Martin said,
is fresh in the headlines, says Beasley. who just approved bringing in a firefighter
"I'm doing everything I can, spending my on overtime to help out.
own money, to make my home more Fullerton is under a hiring freeze for all
fireproof," Beasley said. "But nothing is really positions paid out of the general fund. To
fireproof. What we need are more cut 3 percent from its $18 million budget,
firefighters. This doesn't make any sense to the city's fire department is delaying
me.,, nonmandatory training and putting off
replacing fire vehicles and building
In Santa Ana, a city of nearly 338,000, the maintenance, Fullerton Fire Marshall Julie
Fire Department has chipped $2.7 million Kunze said.
from its $54 million budget, pushing back
training, holding vacant firefighting And departments are taking suggestions.
positions open and pulling firefighters from
desk jobs and sending them back into the "We're looking at every cost-cutting
field. Six firefighters scheduled to go to measure," Concepcion said. "We're going to
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consider everything."
Staff writer Greg Hardesty contributed to
this article.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7829 or
kedds @ocregister.com
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San Jose firefighters offer wage freeze amid budget woes - San Jose Mercury News Page 1 of 2
At News
MercuryNews.com
San Jose firefighters offer challenging economic environment,a wage freeze
g that maintains the city's current costs for existing
wage freeze amid budget benefits is not necessarily the most desirable
outcome," Figone said."There are many issues on
woes which the city is ready and expects to negotiate,
including how to manage retiree health care and
pension costs."
By John Woolfolk
Mercury News Firefighters were set to begin negotiation on a new
contract next week.Their existing contract,won in
Posted:03/28/2009 12:00:00 AM PDT September 2007 after a bitter four-year arbitration
San Jose firefighters Friday offered to forgo raises process,expires June 30. It gave them general wage
in the next budget year as a goodwill gesture to increases totaling 16.65 percent over the last five
help the city save money as it faces a more than$61 years, plus an additional 2 percent for anti-
million deficit and the likelihood of layoffs in some terrorism training and a new pension formula city
departments. officials considered too costly.
The offer sent to city management and City Council San Jose voters in 1980 gave city firefighters and
members makes firefighters the first San Jose police the right to have an arbitrator settle disputes
employee union to offer a wage freeze to ease the with the city over pay, benefits and working
city's current budget woes. conditions.
"We're trying to help out as best we can,"said Randy The firefighters'offer could potentially save San
Sekany, president of San Jose Firefighters Local 230, Jose more than$1 million. Each 1 percent raise for
which represents the city's nearly 750 firefighters. all firefighters costs the city$1.1 million.Other city
"We recognize that there are challenges in the city. employees with contracts through the next budget
We wanted to partner up and show the best way we year, including police officers,will receive 1.5
could that we're willing to shoulder the burden." percent general wage increases. If firefighters got
the same raise, it would cost$1.65 million.Sekany
Mayor Chuck Reed said he was"pleased"that said firefighters in other cities with contracts
firefighters"responded to my call for our employees through the next budget year are receiving raises of
to suggest creative alternatives and solutions to up to 5 percent.
avoid layoffs and service reductions."
Current top base pay excluding overtime ranges
But the offer got a lukewarm reception from City from$109,000 a year for firefighters to$173,000
Manager Debra Figone,who in a written statement for battalion chiefs.
seemed irritated that firefighters sent their offer
directly to the mayor and council as well as to her The firefighters'offer does not give up the
office rather than raising it at the bargaining table. automatic 5 percent"step increase"raises that about
a fourth of firefighters and many other city
"While we want to acknowledge the significance of employees are scheduled to receive.Those raises
this offer, it's important to note that in this give nonmanagement employees five,5 percent
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raises over their first four years in a new position.
Firefighters also said they hope that by agreeing to
no general raise next year,the city will maintain
existing fire stations and engine companies,and
consider their requests regarding working
conditions that don't affect the budget,such as a
scheduling change they have been seeking.
Pat Dando, president of the San Jose Silicon Valley
Chamber of Commerce and a former city vice mayor,
called the firefighters'gesture"a bold step in saving
the city a great deal of money this year"that the
council and manager should approve and other
employees should emulate.
Contact John Woolfolk at joolfolk@mercurynews.com
or(408)975-9346.
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San Jose pension costs soar as stock market withers - San Jose Mercury News Pagel of 3
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San Jose
pension costs our taxpayers can afford the current level of
p employee benefits,"said Councilman Sam
soar as stock market Liccardo,who was appointed this year to serve as a
trustee on the public safety retirement plan.
withers
Union leaders were skeptical of the figures,
presented in a report by the city manager and
By John woolfolk retirement director late Friday and based on
Mercury News projections by the plan's actuaries.
Posted:04/07/2009 07:11:55 PM PDT 'Out of alignment'
Economic crisis "It seems to be way out of alignment,"
• Full coverage of the economic said Randy Sekany, president of San Jose
crisis,including special reports Firefighters."I don't see numbers like that
and databases coming out of anybody,even plans where losses
were greater than ours."
Fresh off the news that next year's deficit Public pension funds are funded by three sources:
could climb to$78 million,San Jose officials said contributions from employees, contributions from
Tuesday that the tanking stock market could force the employer and investment returns on those
taxpayers to pony up as much as$50 million extra combined funds. During down markets, public
the following year to cover losses in the city's employers must offset poor returns with additional
retirement funds. money to deliver promised pensions to retirees.
Things look even worse in the longer term, as city The projected increase in the city's pension
officials say the cash-strapped general operating rates is substantially higher than what Santa Clara
fund could have to pour tens of millions of County officials expect to have to pay into the
additional dollars into the city's two pension California Public Employees' Retirement System,
programs by 2013. which covers county workers and those of most
other local cities. Deputy County Executive Luke
A somber Mayor Chuck Reed announced that even Leung said CalPERS has told local agencies to expect
with recently announced pay freezes,San Jose is increases ranging from 2 to 5 percent of payroll,
headed toward"major layoffs." which would cost an additional$3.8 million to$9.5
million beginning in the county's 2011 budget
Though the cost projections are preliminary,the year.
staggering figures drew cries from some City
Council members to cut benefits,which now allow San Jose's projected new rates are much
career police officers and firefighters to retire in higher, in part because the city's investment
their 50s with pensions that pay 90 percent of their strategy offers less time in which to make up for
salaries. losses.The new report suggests the city's
"We can no longer persist in the delusion that contribution rate for police and firefighter pensions
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will increase from the current 22.5 percent of City officials say the bill for taxpayers to cover
payroll to as much as 57.8 percent in the 2010 recent losses in the police and fire retirement funds
budget year. may be about$31 million next year,and losses in
the fund for retired civilian workers could push the
By 2013,that rate could hit 70.1 percent.And those added costs to$50 million next year.
rates do not include the additional costs of retiree
health care benefits. (Projections for the city's By 2013,the added costs just for police and
other pension fund,which covers civilian workers, firefighter pensions could total$100 million.The
are still pending.) city currently pays$120 million a year into its
employee retirement funds.
Risk on city
No effect in 2009-10
Officers and firefighters would see their share of
pension costs rise,too, but only slightly,from 8.3 The resulting higher projected costs to cover those
percent of payroll to 9.4 percent. Retirement pension losses won't affect the city's
Director Russell Crosby said that's because deficit for the 2009-2010 budget year that begins in
under the city system,"all the risk of bad July;that's because pension contribution rates
market performance is totally on the city, not on the are reset every two years to reflect updated financial
employees." projections and statistics on life expectancy.The
new rate will be set June 30, and the city will begin
The higher projected pension costs come amid a paying it in the budget year beginning July 1,2010.
wave of budgetary bad news for the city brought on
by the national economic collapse. San Jose has had Crosby,who joined the city in 2007, said San Jose
an eight-year run of red ink caused by expenses will have to consider lowering the too-rosy
—mostly for personnel—outpacing assumption that its pension funds will return 8 to
tax revenues. 8.25 percent.Those assumptions, he said,have kept
city and employee contribution rates too low.
The city's projected deficit in the budget year
that begins July 1 jumped from$63 million to$78 He also said the city might consider switching from
million in recent days.The Santa Clara County a five-year model of"smoothing"
assessor reported that the economy has driven investment losses to a seven-year model.
down property values more sharply than at any time
since the Great Depression,taking projected tax Reed—who came into office in 2007 vowing
revenues down with them. to eliminate the chronic deficits, but has made little
headway, in large part because of the skidding
Even as the city's revenues have plunged,the economy—called Tuesday for the council to
stock market's erosion of the pension funds discuss its worsening financial picture at next
has put added pressure on the general fund. Since week's meeting.
July,San Jose's two retirement systems have
seen combined losses of more than$1 billion, more "We have to re-examine how we operate,"
than a quarter of their total value. the mayor said.
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In a statement released before the council's
pension discussion, Reed also said recently
announced wage freezes by thousands of workers,
including the firefighters' union,"will not
be enough to save us from major layoffs."
Earlier this year,the city marked its first layoff since
the early 1990s,though so far just two employees
have left the work force.
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News
45 STOCKTON OFFICERS WARNED OF LAYOFFS
THEY ARE AMONG 80 CITY WORKERS TO RECEIVE NOTICE
By The Record
March 28,2009
STOCKTON - Eighty employees for the city of Stockton, including 45 police officers,were issued notices Friday
that their positions may be eliminated as City Hall continued looking for ways to address a$30 million budget crisis.
Letters were sent to employees in the city attorney's office,the city clerk's office,the auditor's office, community
services(parks and recreation, library), Police Department and public works.
"This is the absolute last course of action that we wanted to take," City Manager Gordon Palmer said in a written
statement issued Friday afternoon. "We said all along that the only way to address such a huge shortfall is to pay
employees less or pay fewer employees."
Police Officer Pete Smith, a department spokesman, said the notices were delivered to the 45 officers with the least
seniority. That number includes 29 officers who already were notified of their impend-ing layoffs.
Officer Steve Leonesio, president of the police union, said some of the impacted officers were attending the funeral
Friday for four Oakland police officers slain last weekend. When they returned to Stockton,they found the notices
in their mailboxes.
Smith said the notices were not layoffs, but indicated that the positions could be eliminated at the end of the fiscal
year under a worst-case scenario.
Municipal revenue sources that have declined include sales tax, property tax, business license tax, utility users tax
and fees for services.
The final decision to eliminate positions and implement additional service reductions is anticipated by the end of
May when the Stockton City Council adopts a final budget for 2009-10.
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POLICE PREPARE FOR CHANGE
POSSIBLE 21 PERCENT CUT TO THE FORCE WILL MEAN A NEW APPROACH IN STOCKTON
By Christian Burkin
April 06,2009
Record Staff Writer
STOCKTON -The fourth watch for north Stockton sat for roll call. Three rows of blue shirts in front of a dry-erase
board.
"It's Thursday night. It's getting warm. The bars are going to get hopping,"said Sgt. Richard Maddern, after calling
out names and numbers.
And then the shift split,with half heading out to answer the city's steady stream of calls. The other half,the
community police officers, headed out to known trouble spots north of the Calaveras River,to stop crime before it
started -the pinnacle of police work.
"You get a lot of in-progress crimes and firearms off the street,"Officer Marc Parker said.
Community police programs also require a lot of people. To anticipate and interrupt crime, a police department,
particularly one as busy as Stockton's, needs to be able to divert some officers from responding to routine calls for
service-the "reactive"side of the job.
Now, with the city staring at a$31 million budget deficit next year, and contemplating a 21 percent cut to the police
force,these efforts are threatened.To trim Stockton Police Department's budget to fit the city's projected revenues
for next year, as many as 43 to 95 police officers will be cut, according to a plan to be considered by the City
Council's budget and finance committee.Those losses will force, at a minimum,the elimination of the district
command structure, which has organized Stockton policing since 1995.
Interim Police Chief Blair Ulring said despite the cuts, he will preserve community police programs.
"We're not abandoning community policing,"he said.
But it would change.
The Police Department would no longer have enough officers to sustain six districts with dedicated commanders
and community police officers,while still answering calls for service.
Instead, the city would be split into three areas-north, south and downtown-with a commander for each.The
CPOs, also to be reduced,would be divided between north and south Stockton.The city's six districts-Valley Oak,
Bear Creek, Civic Center, Park, Lakeview and Seaport-would continue to be used for dispatch and analysis.
Ulring said he would preserve the district structure if he could, but he does not have enough police.
"Everyone knows if you put a cop on every corner you can drive crime down," he said. "You can almost drive it
away."
Community policing started in Stockton in 1991 with the Safe Stockton program. In 1996,the Police Department
divided the city into four districts and assigned a lieutenant and officers to each. Later, districts were increased to
six.The goal was to put more police in troubled neighborhoods-such as Kentfield and Sierra Vista-but also to
encourage communities to come up with their own solutions.
littp://www.rccordnct.cofn/apps/pbcs.dll/articic?AID=/20090406/A NEWS/904060313&template�rintart 4/6/2009
Page 2 of 2
"For the program to truly work, people need to get involved,"then-Police Chief Ed Chavez said when he introduced
the program to the City Council in 1995.
Today, Stockton's program is a hybrid of traditional community policing programs and the statistics-driven analysis
of emerging crime trends introduced in New York in the 1990s.
Parker,who returned to community policing in January after two years as a gang detective, said it works.
"You get very familiar with people you deal with out here, interact with the community a little more,"he said.
A second-generation Stockton cop, Parker, 32, attended Taylor School, near the Conway Homes housing project.
"I grew up with a lot of the gangsters I deal with now," he said.
And it shows. He has an easy manner with parolees and gangsters,wayward youth and drug dealers, turning
sullen,tense faces into relaxed smiles with just a few words.As Parker's team cruised through the loop of Astor
and Bedlow drives, called the "Circle of Death,"he greeted people by name and picked out the signs of brewing
trouble.
"When proactive policing goes away, of course,you're going to see a spike in crime,"he said.
In 1996, the first year community policing was applied citywide,the number of crimes reported per 1,000 residents
fell from 93 to 86. The crime rate continued to fall until 2001,when it jumped from 67 per 1,000 residents to 79. In
2007, the most recent full year for which figures are were available, the reported crime rate was 77 per 1,000
residents. The most dramatic reductions were in property crimes,which fell from 79 per 1,000 residents in 1995 to
63 in 2007. The violent crime rate in 2007 was only moderately lower than in 1995.
And yet Stockton still consistently reports one of the highest crime rates in the state. The truth is, if Stockton's
approach is working, it is working everywhere. Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton's methods, believed
successful in New York, are now widespread.
"There aren't many police departments that don't do some kind of proactive policing," Parker said.
It is still not clear how severely the Police Department's programs will be cut. City Manager Gordon Palmer's plan
assumes the city will get federal stimulus money and negotiate about$6 million in concessions from the rank-and-
file police union. If it does not,the Police Department could be forced to lay off as many as 95 officers, and cut
everything but routine patrol and general investigations,which already are critically short.
"If we lost 80 to 90 officers our special patrols would have to be eliminated," Ulring said.
If there is any upside, police said, it is that there will be more officers on routine patrol,chipping away at the always
accumulating backlog in calls for service. Even now, Parker said,there are so many calls for service on weekends
that CPOs are called to loud music and rowdy parties.
But there is broad consensus at the Police Department that merely responds to calls for service would be a major
retreat to a model that has failed.
"You've got to get up in front of the problems or you're just chasing your tail," Ulring said.
Eliminating the budget deficit is a huge task, Parker said. For seven years this 32-year-old officer,who lives in
Stockton, has been working on one that seems impossible, and he is undaunted.
"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wake up and look forward to going to work,"he said.
Contact reporter Christian Burkin at(209)546-8279 or cburkin @recordnet.com.
A.Milm
http://www.recordnet.cofn/apps/pbes.dll/article?AID=/20090406/A NEWS/904060313&template=printaTt 4/6/2049
B A K E R S/X...
F I E L D
Department of Recreation and Parks
Date: April 8, 2009
To: Alan Tandy, City Manager AFJR o 8 2009
From: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks
Subject: March 2009 Monthly Report
ADMINISTRATION:
• "Aera" Park — Project is approximately 95% complete with a Grand Opening set for April 18.
Volunteers will assist with tree planting on Earth Day, April 25tH
• Sports Village — Phase I construction is scheduled to begin in June 2009.
• River Walk Maintenance Facility — The roof is being installed with grading and paving
underway also. The project is approximately 60% completed.
• Greystone Park — Project award is slated for late April 2009.
• Stiern Park —The new playground is being installed with a May 1, 2009 ribbon cutting.
• Tradewinds Park —The contractor placed barbeque lids on all 6 barbeque pits.
• Mill Creek — Restroom architectural plans have been reviewed by staff. Central Park
hydroseeding will start April 7tH
• Casa Loma Park Wet Playground — Public Works will be assisting with the construction of a
sump on City property to accept drainage from the sprayground.
• A total of 8.7758 acres was accepted for city maintenance during the month of March.
• At the Bright House Networks Amphitheatre the Spring Festival Concert on March 28 drew
approximately 400 people. Three bands performed between 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM.
• The Spring Festival in The Park at River Walk was held on March 28 and 29.
o The festival was free to the public and open from 8 AM — 9:30 PM on Saturday, and
10:00 AM —4:00 PM on Sunday
o This year two smaller events were incorporated into Saturday's activities. The Great
American Cleanup and the Community Volunteer Spring Training.
o Keep Bakersfield Beautiful handled the cleanup with over 1,800 volunteers to pick up
litter and participate in various clean up projects throughout Bakersfield.
o The Bakersfield Fire Department and the County of Kern Public Health Department to
assist a Girl Scout in her Gold Award project, which educated the public about safety..
o The Ladies Active 20/30 Club followed on Sunday with the "Quackers for Kids" rubber
duck race. This was the third annual racing of the rubber ducks, which is now a spring
festival tradition.
o Other non-profit organizations who participated were the Artisans Guild for a craft show
which attracted 42 crafters; and the Arts Council of Kern for the "Gallery on the Green".
o Revenue generated from the festival was $5,114, which reflects a $1,000 increase from
2008.
• Park reservations numbered 122 with 20,713 guests served. This includes 8 reservations at
The Park at River Walk which served 6,308 guests.
AQUATICS:
• Attendance at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center increased by 22.7% as compared to March
2008, for a total of 7,196.
"We create a quality community through people, parks and programs"
DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS
MARCH 2009 MONTHLY REPORT
PAGE TWO
• The 100 Miles Club is currently made up of 242 active members who have swum a
combined total of 40,762 miles! A year ago the total was 24,992 miles.
The Annual Garces Diving Invitational was held at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center on March
28. A total of 45 divers participated in the competition.
Five swim meets and five dive meets were held at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center this month,
with an additional four swim meets held at Jefferson Pool and one swim meet at Silver
Creek Pool.
Four high school swim teams and nine diving teams continue to practice and compete at the
McMurtrey Aquatic Center. Garces Memorial High School practices at Jefferson Pool, and
an additional two high school swim teams practice at Silver Creek Pool.
• Hiring for summer aquatic summer staff began in March, as well as the Lifeguard and Water
Safety Instructor training courses.
Total attendance in the various aquatic programs for March was 10,170.
ATHLETICS:
• Adult Spring Softball League started their 10 week league this month with 20 Co-Rec Teams
and 78 Men's Teams for a total of 107 teams.
o Total softball attendance this month was: 2,140 players and 810 spectators for each
week for an over-all total of 11,800 for the month.
• Pee-Wee Sports held a class at Silver Creek Park for three Saturdays in March. Children
were introduced to t-ball, track &field, soccer, and circle games.
• Two Soccer Champs classes were offered this month at Silver Creek Park. One class for 5-
7 years and one for 8-10 years.
• Six individuals participated in the Adaptive Tennis class held at Haggin Oaks Park tennis
courts. Total attendance over the four classes was 24.
• League of Dreams Adaptive T-ball had their opening day ceremony on Sunday, March 15,
at the North of the River Recreation and Parks District's Fruitvale/Norris Fields.
• There were 70 children participating along with 70 Angel Volunteers to assist the
children, this represents 12 teams playing on the four fields offered at this location.
• Congressman Kevin McCarthy threw out the first pitch.
• The following are various community outreach items completed in March:
o Coordinated with BC coaches regarding the Basketball and Football Camps being
offered this summer.
o Coordinated with AMF Southwest Lanes of the Bowling Camp being offered this
summer.
o Met with community skateboarding experts to coordinate skateboarding camps and
classes being offered this summer.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMUNITY CENTER:
• Basketball league began in cooperation with PAL and Stop the Violence.
o Games were held at both the PAL facility and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community
Center
o There were six teams for the junior high school students and a league of six for the
elementary students, with high parent participation.
• The South East Neighborhood Partnership meeting was held at MLK on March 26.
o 30 people attended the meeting and a presentation was made on the dangers of second
hand smoke.
"We create a quality community through people, parks and programs"
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
Recreation
&Parks
41
CAP
ACCREDITED
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54 Parks
1,010 Acres of streetscapes and parks lacjc
SIAM received in grant funding A
$192,000 Sponsorships/partnerships/donations/in-kind services L BRAND
2 Community Centers -�
10,805 Patrons served in various programs
2,091 Classes offered to patrons ,
5,582 Hours of classes offered to patrons
1,609 Reservations made in various parks
140,546 Patrons enjoyed reserved areas in the parks
25,035 Patrons enjoyed special events in the parks
59 Plaques or benches purchased through Adopt-A-Bench
6 Aquatic facilities (pools & aquatic center)
141,551 Patrons served at the various aquatic facilities
36,986 Total miles swum by lap swim patrons in the 100 Mile,.
Club at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center
1,600 Pounds of ice donated to the Polar Bear Splash
6 Spray playgrounds A
CSTIN L
50 Miles of biking/walking/hiking trails
62,500 City maintained trees
3 Certified Arborists
5 Cultural/Historical/Memorial sites
44 Picnic areas and barbeques
23 Parks with restroom facilities
6 Dog parks
1 Community garden
1 Ice rink
18 Athletic fields
7,140 Softball players in leagues
28 Tennis courts
46 Basketball/Multi-use courts
8 Sand volleyball courts
12 Grass volleyball courts ""
2 Disc golf courses
1 Skate park "
89 Playgrounds
4 Amphitheatres
794 Water meters
43,430 Sprinkler heads
7,000 Free lunches served at MLK through the Bakersfield City
Schools summer lunch program
500 Volunteer hours donated to the department � .
6 Wildlife refuge areas
3 Visiting beavers
The City of Bakersfield Department of Recreation and Parks
is proud to present our major highlights of 2oo8 - a year of
many success stories. In addition to highlights, this annual
report provides an overall summary of the many facets of
Recreation and Parks and their impact on the community.
.' Approving the Recreation and Parks Master Plan and
achieving AgencyAccreditation from the National Recreation
and Parks Association (NRPA) are at the top of this year's list
of accomplishments. These two processes, and their results,
provide the guidelines and structure for our success over the
next five to ten years.
City Council approved the Recreation and Parks Master Plan in January 2oo8. The
Master Plan process tools two years to finalize and involved the entire community. The
community-wide survey indicated 85% of the residents used city parks and programs,
which is an extremely high rate as the average is about 6o%within other communities.
Achieving NRPA Agency Accreditation was no small feat. Staff undertook the
challenge of meeting 156 standards in 10 categories measuring the organizational structure,
financing, service delivery, safety and evaluation. Taking two years to complete, tasks
involved creating new operations manuals, a recreation program plan, and strategic plans
for safety and risk management. Only one other city in California has reached Agency
Accredition status, for a total of 76 agencies across the United States. Staff, in completing
the requirements of the standards, collaborated with community leaders, partner groups
and other departments to gather information. The process brought staff together towards
a common goal, improved policies and procedures and created great pride in the work
being accomplished.
This annual report highlights the various activities, and park maintenance
improvements, supported by donors, sponsors and partners which all contributed to a
successful and productive year. Accomplishments and successes listed in this report are a
result of partners, sponsors and donors which deserve a huge thank you.
As we all enter into a challenging time in aoog, each of you become important to a
successful community.
Sincerely,
L)GZGL" P"O"
Director, Department of Recreation and Parks
rartners, '5ponsors
Aera Energy and Bakersfield Southwest Baseball-Aera Park
Bakersfield Brigade- Saunders Multi-Use Facility
Bakersfield Californian and Cal State Bakersfield- Community Garden
Bakersfield College Lady Renegades - Summer Basketball Camp
Bakersfield College Renegades - Football Camp
Bakersfield Municipal Band and Health Net- Beale Band Concerts
Barber Honda - Movies-In-The-Park at The Park at River Walk
Bright House Networks -Amphitheatre Events
Castle and Cooke-MusicFest 2008
Coca-Cola Company- Co-sponsor of various events
First S Kern - Free Swimming Lessons and Playground Safety Surfacing Project
Green Thumb Garden Club - Baker Street Bulb Planting
Grimmway Farms and Culligan International Water- Kidfit Health Fair
Hall Ambulance- Co-sponsor, partner and donor to various Recreation and Parks programs and events
Ice Sports Center, Special Education Teachers from the Superintendent of Schools, and volunteers -
Adaptive Ice Skating Sessions
Jack Frost Ice - Donated ice for the Polar Bear Splash
Kern County Disc Golf Club and Innova Disc Company- Disc Golf Tournament
Kern High School District-Aquatic Programs and Facilities
Kern River Parkway Foundation and Tree Foundation of Kern -Arbor Day 2008
Kern Trophies - Softball Programs
Kiewit Construction - Beach Park Skate Park
Neighborhood Members - University Park Leash Free Dog Area
Parsons - Central Park and Aera Park landscaping
PG&E- Right Tree-Right Place
SMG-Management of the Bright House Networks Amphitheatre
San Joaquin Municipal Athletic Association - Cross Country Invitational Meet
Sankofa Collective and the New Spirit Women's Group - Kwanzaa Program
Snyder's Bicycle Shop, Get Moving Kern, and the Bakersfield Police Department- Build-A-Bike Program
Southeast Neighborhood Partnership - Good Neighbor Festival
Southeast Neighborhood Partnership and Stop the Volence- Basketball League and
Junteenth Celebration
Terrio Therapy Fitness, NOR Recreation and Parks District, Bakersfield City Firefighters and Children's Miracle
Network- League of Dreams
City of Bakersfield City Manager's Office,Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works Department,
Economic and Community Department, Building Department- assistance in various projects,programs, and
special events throughout the year
City Council Members - continued support of Recreation and Parks
Mayor Harvey L. Hall- donations and support for programs and special events
Thank you!
2003 Frogram
• Adaptive Ice Skating - In collaboration with the Ice Sports Center, Special Education Teachers, and individual
"Angels", we were able to offer ice skating to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. A total of
24 people participated in the fun.
• Adaptive Tennis - Bob Weibe taught wheelchair tennis to individuals with special needs. This has enabled
individuals in wheelchairs to play tennis together several times a month with tennis experts assisting. A total of 18
participants attended this class.
• Aera Park-Along with other City departments,we were able to complete the design,grading, concrete, and access
roads to this facility in 2008. Bakersfield Southwest Baseball has started building the structure and fencing in this
partnership. This facility is scheduled to open April 18, 2009.
• Aquatics -With a total of 141,551 visitors in 2008, attendance increased by 73%. Events such as Float-In-Movies
at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center offered family entertainment.
• Beach Skate Park - Expansion of the existing facility was completed with the grand opening on November 5,
2008.
• Cardio Care - With an energetic instructor this was offered at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.
The focus is teaching fitness, good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle.
• Jastro Wet Playground-Replacement of the old Jastro Pool with a wet playground has met with great success. The
updated facility was opened in June 2008.
• KidFit Health Fair- In collaboration with Health Net and Bike Bakersfield a fair was done to raise awareness and
educate attendees about childhood health and wellness issues.
• League of Dreams,Adaptive T-Ball&Basketball-A new program enabling special needs members to participate
in adaptive sports was started. A collaboration with Terrio Therapy-Fitness, NOR District, Bakersfield City
Firefighters, Children's Miracle Network and the Department.
• Metro Wide TrailsBike Path Plan-Department staff developed a plan in protecting future alignments of bike and
trail paths.
• Mill Creek Project - Central Park and linear areas of the Mill Creek Project received new structures, lighting,
furniture,pathways and landscaping to create a great pedestrian plaza. Grand Opening is May 29, 2009.
• Movies-In-The-Park- Families were able to enjoy these outside movies which are held at various parks.
• National Park(ing)Day-A transformation of three parking areas into a temporary mini-park to demonstrate green
areas can be obtained in urban areas.
• New Acreage- The Department accepted 13.58 acres of parkland during the 2008 calendar year.
• San Miguel Commemorative Grove - In collaboration with the Tree Foundation of Kern, staff installed 15 brass
plaques under trees in the grove to commemorate individuals by loved ones.
• Saunder's Multi-Use Facility- Opened on May 8, 2008, this facility offers a full size NHL interior court.
• Softball Fields -A special infield mix was installed at all City owned softballs fields for the first time. A 40 foot
tall catch net was installed at Wayside Park to reduce the incidents of errant balls.
• Special Dates-The Spring Festival and the Fall Festival were held at The Park at River Walk with 9,000 attendees.
On June 5,NBC's Deal or No Deal held a Bakersfield casting call with 1,600 participating
• Sports Vllage- Facility planning and design continue with an emphasis on completing the Soccer Complex.
• Stiern Park- Local residents, led by Jennifer Lopez,have come together to improve this park. Ms Lopez was able
to secure a $75,000 grant from Kaiser Permanent for playground upgrades.
• Tradewinds Park-This project was completed and opened to the public on February 14, 2008.
• Valentine's Run for Your Heart and Celebrate CSUB Alumni- Two run/walks held in collaboration with CSUB
PEAK Club, Terrio-Therapy Fitness, CSUB Kinesiology majors, and the Department.
2. 008 5pedal KeC091-lition
• Aerobics - Bakersfield Adult School
• American Softball Association (ASA) - Received regional award for 17% growth in 2008
softball teams.
• Basketball League - Stop the Violence (Sean Battle), PALS
• Build-A-Bike Program - Snyder's Bicycle Shop, Get Moving Kern, Bakersfield Police
Department
• Central California Regional Obesity Program / Greenfield School District /Leadership
Bakersfield/Boy Scouts of America - For the volunteer work completed at Stiern Park;
which included a walking path, graffiti removal, and safe for all users. Thank you!
• Certified Arborists - Two employees achieved this certification.
• Certified Tree Maintainers - Two employees achieved this certification.
• Community Garden - Bakersfield Californian, Kern Supervisor Michael Rubio, San
Joaquin Refining Company, DCM Assets Management, Cal State Bakersfield (Amanda
Mojibi)
• CPRS Region XV- For the fourth year in a row the competition held in Tulare in November
2008 saw representatives from the Parks Division crowned CPRS Rodeo Champions!
• Dance Troupe - Karen Bostic
• Globetrotter Cinic - Kern Schools Federal Credit Union
• Good Neighbor Festival- Southeast Neighborhood Partnership, Kern Supervisor Michael
Rubio
• Jennifer Lopez - The Healthy Outreach Coordinator at Get Moving Kern, received a grant
from Kaiser Permanente for $75,000 to fund a new playground at Stiern Park.
• Kwanzaa Festival - Sankofa Collection (Barkari Sanyu)
• Maxicom 2008 Water Conservation Film Area Award(Kern Turf) - Parks Division
• NRPA Volunteer Service Award- In 2008, Rich O'Neil and Bill Cooper received this honor
for their work and dedication to the Kern River Parkway Foundation. Due to their years of
hard work, Bakersfield can enjoy the Kern River Parkway's flora and fauna while getting fit.
• NRPA Playground Inspectors - Employees earned certification in this program which is to
ensure playground equipment is safe for use.
• Springtime Egg Hunt - NE Plus Ultra Temple
• Summer Lunch Program - Bakersfield City Schools
• Summer Tennis Lessons - US Tennis Association
• Youth Academy - Sankofa Collective (Bakari Sanyu)
• Youth Luncheon - Partnering Our Parents
Moving Forward to 2-00�
F- Grand Opening April 18, 2009. This fantastic softball complex was built with a
agreement between the Department and Bakersfield Southwest Baseball, with a
f the work performed by volunteers.
Fepartment.Park- This park is a project being done in conjunction with the Bakersfield Fire
Construction on the Fire Department began in December 2008, and construction
is scheduled to begin in April 2009.
Central Park, Mill Creek Project-Being complete refurbished, Central Park is scheduled to
open on May 29, 2009.
Saunders Park Wet Playgrund-Estimated completion of this great addition to Saunders Park
is May 2009. Construction began in December 2008.
Casa Loma Park Wet Playgrund - City Council approved $350,000 toward the cost of
construction of this park. Actual construction is being handled directed the County of Kern
Parks and Recreation Department.
Stiern Park Playground Upgrade - Thanks to a grant received by Jennifer Lopez from
Kaiser Permanente for $75,000 the playground equipment at this park is being scheduled for
upgrading. Staff is currently reviewing proposed features for the playground.
Sports Village - Completion of the complex is anticipated in 5-7 years; however, staff is
developing 1/2 of the soccer complex sooner than anticipated. Construction plans for the
soccer complex are estimated to be completed in March 2009, with actual construction of the
soccer complex to follow soon after.
[aestimated n River Upland& River Edge Restoration Project- A design firm is working on
design of bringing a portion of the Kern River back to its natural state, complete
h a nature trail and platforms to be able to watch the wildlife and plant life in and
und the river. This project is being specifically designed so school children can
n about the Kern River and the way it provides for migrating wildlife as well as
mals indigenous to this region. Unfortunately, grant money designated to this
ect is currently frozen by the State of California. The Department of Recreation
Parks is dedicated to getting this project back on track as soon as possible, with
completion in the Spring of 2010.
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DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS
MARCH 2009 MONTHLY REPORT
PAGE THREE
o The organization is working with a group to provide transportation to Allensworth State
Park for a Juneteenth Celebration.
• Planning for the Spring Camp and egg hunt continued through the month with contacting
various groups for food donations for lunches. Food was donated from Boltr House Farms
and the Gleaners.
• Total attendance at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center for March was 4,223.
SILVER CREEK COMMUNITY CENTER:
• Afterschool Program: Continued with the fitness theme by testing each youth on their
fitness skills in the long jump, softball toss, dance-dance revolution, jumping jacks and an
exercise obstacle course.
o The afterschool program averaged 13 attendees a day, for a monthly total of 305.
• Silver Creek multi-purpose rooms, pavilion and picnic areas were rented a total of 19 times
during March, with approximately 1,005 attendees.
• Attendance to all classes, rentals and the afterschool program for the month of March was
2,225.
PARKS:
• Patriot's Park outfield fencing between the softball fields was moved to allow a walkway to
the newly constructed picnic area and trees..
• Staff installed new barbeques at Deer Peak Park, Pin Oak Park, Windermere Park and
Windsor Park to establish new reservation areas.
• Staff coordinated replacement of a vandalized horse statue at the Centennial Plaza to
replace one which was not repairable.
• Parks staff began researching a Light Emitting Diode (LED) energy efficient lighting system
technology in response to a federal stimulus project grant.
• Arbor Day was celebrated on March 14 with the Tree Foundation of Kern donating 50 15-
gallon trees which were planted by 60 volunteers at Patriot's Park..
• Trees:
o Trimmed: 107 Clearance: 379 Removals: 16
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• Easter Egg Hunt, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (April 11)
Riverlakes Community Church Easter Service at BHNA (April 12)
• Aera Park Grand Opening (April 18)
• Earth Day, The Park at River Walk and Aera Park (April 25)
• Cinco De Mayo Festival at BHNA (May 3)
• BabyFest at TPRW/BHNA (May 9)
• Mill Creek at Central Park Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening (May 29/30)
• Next month, we will add special summer events, such as:
• Movies in the Park
• Beale Band Concerts
• MusicFest
• Honda Movie Series
o Float In Movies
"We create a quality community through people, parks and programs"
Page 1 of 2
STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE
WEEK OF APRIL 13, 2009 — APRIL 17, 2009
Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas:
Preparing streets for reconstruction in the area between So. Laurelglen Boulevard
& No. Laurelglen Boulevard, east of Gosford Road.
Miscellaneous Streets Division projects:
Working on the Mill Creek project.
Working on the Aera Park project.
Crack sealing on Ming Avenue between Buena Vista Road & Old River Road, on
Calloway Drive between Meacham Road & Hageman Road.
THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Week of April 132009 Work Schedule
Page 2 of 2
STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE
Monday, April 13, 2009
Between So. "H" St. & Union Avenue — Pacheco Rd. & Hosking Rd.
Between Stockdale Hwy. & Truxtun Ave. (ext.) — Coffee Rd. & Partridge Ave.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Between Hwy. 99 & So. "H" St. — Ming Ave. & Panama Ln.
Cul-de-sacs on the north side of Magdalena Ave., west of So. "H" St.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
City areas between Workman St. & Sterling Rd. — Hwy. 58 & Baja Dr.
Between Morning Dr. & Park Dr. — College Ave. & Willis Ave.
Between Buena Vista Rd. & Old River Rd. — White Ln. & Panama Ln.
Between Old River Rd. & Gosford Rd. — White Ln. & Pacheco Rd.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
City areas between Stockdale Hwy. & Ming Ave. — Ashe Rd. & Gosford Rd.
Between El Portal/Laurelglen Blvd. & Ashe Rd. — Ming Ave. & So. Halfmoon/Olympia Dr.
Between Ashe Rd. & Stine Rd. — Ming Ave. & So. Halfmoon/Edgemount Dr.
Between Coffee Rd. & Wilson Rd. (ext.) — White Ln. & So. Halfmoon/Olympia Dr.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Between Stockdale Hwy. & Ming Ave. — Allen Rd. & Old River Rd.
Between Old River Rd. & Coffee Rd. — Ming Ave. & Ridge Oak/Westwold Dr.
Between Ridge Oak/Westwold Dr. & White Ln. — Old River Rd., east to the PG&E easement.
Between White Ln. & Asperata Dr. — Gosford Rd., west to the PG&E easement.
Between White Ln. & Cederwood Dr. — Stine Rd. & Wilson Rd. (ext.)
Week of April 13_2009_Work Schedule
B A K E R S F I E L D
°R 1 0 2009 Economic and Community Development Department
M E M O R A N D U M
April 7, 2009
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Co ncil Lj_1r
FROM: Donna L. Kunz, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Referral Response to the Issue of Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing for the
Homeless be Referred to the Budget and Finance Committee for
Consideration.
Council Referral No. 78
Councilmember Hanson requested that the issue of Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing for the
Homeless be referred to the Budget and Finance Committee for consideration
Economic& Community Development staff conducted a meeting on April 2, 2009 with members of
the Kern County Homeless collaboration representing over 16 homeless service agencies. The
purpose of the meeting was to provide information and program criteria regarding the$1.3 million in
Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRR)funds the City is targeted to receive under the
Economic Stimulus Program.
In order to access these funds the City of Bakersfield is required to prepare and submit the requisite
Substantial Action Plan amendment no later than May 18, 2009. In order to meet this deadline a
legal notice must be published 12 days prior to Council consideration scheduled for May 6, 2009.
Because of this short time frame EDCD staff is proceeding with the preparation of the Substantial
Action Plan Amendment to include broad based eligible activities with consideration of the greatest
areas of need for homeless services identified by the Homeless collaborative.
Subsequent to the adoption of the amendment, staff will solicit proposals from experienced, well
established sub-recipients for participation in the program. Staff anticipates partnering with no more
than 2 to 3 qualified homeless service agencies due to the high level of monitoring and regulatory
compliance required for the HPRR program. Staff will submit the qualified proposals to the Budget
& Finance Committee for consideration by mid-Summer, 2009.