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Home My WebLink About01/30/2009� B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM January 30, 2009 TO: Honorable or and Ci Council FROM: Alan Tand �� y ana er SUBJECT: Generallnformation 1. While the most recent quarterly sales tax data was positive, sales tax revenues have been trending negative for the past two years. We expect the Christmas season sales tax revenues to be lower than the prior year and current year revenues to decline about 7%. Preliminary revenue estimates for 2009-10 are projected to decline 5%. Our historic sales tax growth averages about 6% growth. The County Assessor's office has recently informed us to expect an 11 % decline in property tax revenues for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Current year property taxes are still projecting out at zero growth. Our budget reduction actions anticipated an estimated 6% decline in the 2009-10 property tax revenues. A memo from Finance Director Nelson Smith, further clarifies the latest projections. 2. Today we received good news that the advice letter PG&E submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission regarding the implementation of the 1% surcharge for electricity and gas for their customers within the City of Bakersfield has been approved. PG&E will now make the necessary changes to its billing systems and the surcharge should begin appearing on bills beginning sometime in July. We will receive the first payment of these funds beginning in April 2010 (for the six month period of July through September 2009) and then annually thereafter. These funds are earmarked by the City Council for road and highway purposes and will be accounted for separately. 3. We were also informed by PG&E that the California Public Utilities Commission approved the sale of the Kern Power Plant on Rosedale Highway and Coffee Road to World Oil. The sale will now proceed through the real estate escrow process. 4. I got some positive comments from individual Councilmembers about the expedited meeting format of January 28th. Absent any contrary comments, we will make it a standard practice when the workload allows. It may be fairly rare when there is no closed session, but projections make it look like the bulk of the business can be done during the 5:15 p.m. portion for a while. 5. The enclosed letter from Bright House Nefinrorks let us know that its prices will be adjusted beginning March 1, 2009. Honorable Mayor and City Council January 30, 2009 Page 2 6. Enclosed is the SMG E-Zine for the Rabobank Arena, Theater and Convention Center & Bakersfield Ice Sports Center and Bright House Networks Amphitheater year in review. 7. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of February 3�d is enclosed. 8. Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows: Vice-Mayor Scrivner • Potential Cost Savings Information; Councilmember Benham • Landscaping at 24th & Oak; • 901 Mohawk (Greenhaven Apartments) Response Letter; and, Councilmember Sullivan • Stockdale Median Upgrade. AT: rs: rk cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Nelson K. Smith, Finance Director +/{%`j ./ DATE: January 28, 2009 SUBJECT: Update on Property Tax and Sales Tax Projections I spoke with the County Assessors office earlier this week and was advised that we should plan for an estimated 11% decline in Property Tax revenues for Fiscal Year 2009-10. The previous estimate we were working with (based on a conversation with the Assessors office back in October) was an estimated decline of 6%. This revised estimate of an additional 5% decline equates to approximately $3.5 million gap. Additionally, I received recent correspondence from the State Board of Equalization regarding Statewide Sales Taa� projections for the next several quarters. Their numbers have historically been rather optimistic compared to actual results, yet the State is projecting a negative 7% in Sales Tax revenues for the next two quarters and an estimated decline in Sales Tax of negative 8.7%, negative 5.1 %, negative 2.7%, and negative 0.1 % for the four quarters associated with our 2009- 10 Fiscal Year revenues. Assuming the State numbers are relevant to Bakersfield, I would translate this to mean an approximate 5% decline in Sales Tax revenue for us in 2009-10. We had been using a zero (0%) growth number in our previous discussions and modeling and this 5% negative swing equates to approximately $3.0 million gap. We will be receiving quarterly Sales Tax data toward the end of March 2009 related to sales transactions during October-December 2008. This data will give us a better picture of sales trends in Bakersfield since the market crash that took place in October. We will also continue our communications with the County Assessors office as we proceed through our budget process and keep you informed of any positive or negative changes in their assessed value projections for Bakersfield. However, at this point in time it appears we have an approximate $6.5 million gap in revenues for FY 2009-10 that was not contemplated when we were discussing the Phase I budget cuts a few weeks ago. Again, I wish I had better news to share, but it seems the economic recession and depressed housing markets still continue to trend in a negative direction as they relate to City revenues. Attachment cc: John W. Stinson File name: nks:lp:/memasales tax prop tax news jan 2009.doc � B A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM January 28, 2009 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: John W. Stinso�r;'A"ssistant City Manager Subject: PG&E Franchise — Surcharges Approval by California Public Utilities Commission Today I received notification that the advice letter PG&E submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission regarding the implementation of the 1% surcharge for electricity and gas for their customers within the City of Bakersfield has been approved. PG&E will now make the necessary changes to their billing systems and they have indicated the surcharge should begin appearing on bills beginning sometime in July (there is no specific date since customers have different billing cycles). We will receive the first payment of these funds beginning in April 2010 (for the 6 month period July-December 2009) and then annually thereafter. As you will recall these funds were earmarked by the City Council for road and highway purposes and will be accounted for separately. S:\JOHN\Memo Template.doc STATE OF CALIFORNIA ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governo� PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION .;;re� ; M :'.:l-'... SOS VAN NESS AVENUE j;;��`� � I `'�°.;'� �� ,; iQi SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102-3298 ��. �{ y 7 ��-� s, {✓ �M ,�,� ,�,,;,, January 21, 2009 Advice Letter 2980-G/3380-E Brian K. Cherry Vice President, Regulatory Relations Pacific Gas and Electric Company 77 Beale Street, Mail Code B l OC P.O. Box 770000 San Francisco, CA 94177 Subject: 1% Franchise Surcharge for Gas and Electric Customers within the City of Bakersfield Dear Mr. Cherry: Advice Letter 2980-G/3380-E is effective January 20, 2009. The advice letter was filed in accordance with California Public Utilities Commission D.89-OS-063 dated May 26, 1989, which established advice letter procedures for situations in which a local government entity requires a utility to collect franchise fees exceeding the average franchise fees within the utility's service territory. Kern County Taxpayers Association's protest of Advice Letter 2980-G/3380-E fails to meet any of the legitimate grounds for protesting an advice letter as outlined in California Public Utilities Commission General Order 96-B, Section 7.4.2. Sincerely, �°` �_.� ..� ,� '�__ �,.�::�� _ ��;.. . �,� -__. Julie A. Fitch, Director Energy Division bright house NETWORKS January 27, 2009 3701 North Sillect Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93308 Tel (661) 634-2260 Fax (661) 395-3378 ,��, Mr. Alan Tandy City Manager City of Bakersfield 1600 Truxtun Avenue, 5th Floor Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mr. Tandy: Joseph R. Schoenstein Division President Bakersfield Division ��;�r � � � Bright House Networks will adjust pricing beginning March 1, 2009. The new rates are a reflection of our increasing programming costs, operating costs and increased technology. On average, our customers will see an increase of 4.5% depending on the level of products and services they receive. Attached you will find a copy of the rate change notification your constituents will receive via mail within the next few days. Specifically, our monthly rate for Limited Basic will adjust from $13.95 to $16.95. The charge for the Expanded Basic tier will remain unchanged at $34.50. These two combined charges make up our Advantage service; hence the total monthly charge will adjust from $48.45 to $51.45. Our digital tier pricing will adjust from $3.00 per month to $4.00 per month. This $1.00 change will reflect in each of the following tiers: Digital Variety Tier, the Digital Movie Pac and the Digital Sports Tier. This is the first increase in these rates since our launch of digital service. Additionally, those customers who take an HD DVR (Digital Video Recorder) will see an adjustment in their rate from $7.95 to $9.95. Customers who take the four-premium (HBO, Showtime, etc.) value package will see a change from $27.95 to $29.95 per month. Our pricing for our Home Phone and Road Runner High Speed Data services will remain unchanged in 2009 with the exception of customers who take all three of our services. Those customers will see a rate decrease of $0.85 for their monthly Unlimited Nationwide Home Phone service (from $36.45 to $35.60). Our commitment to providing excellent products and services is unwavering. In 2008, we added over 30 new channels to our service offering — il of which are high definition. These new additions include USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, TLC HD, Animal Planet HD, Disney HD and more. We also continue to add content of local interest including KNXT, the Fresno-based dioceses channel, along with our own Faith on Demand channel including local pastor Father Craig Harrison of St. Francis Catholic church. From a technology standpoint, we launched Start Over in Bakersfield as well. This exclusive technology allows customers to restart live TV programs from the beginning. In 2008 we expanded our customer service phone hours from 7:00 a.m. —10:00 p.m. Monday — Friday and 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. on Saturday as a part of our goal to be even more accessible to our customers. We continue to employ nearly 400 local Bakersfield residents and are proud to be a part of this community. Additionally, our civic involvement in 2009 will continue with our support of schools, charities and local organizations committed to improving the quality of life for BakersfieEd residents. Best R gards, -� L� ( f t / Joseph R. Schoenst in President—Bakersfield Division Rabobank A�ena, Theate� and Convention Cente� ��`'� & Bake�sfie/d %e Sports Cente� _�. - - � Audibiv Pleasinq Entertainment The Rabobank Arena, Theater and Convention Center hosted a vast array of events this past year. We had two Country concerts that both sold-out Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. Vincente Fernandez performed to a sold- out crowd in May; other Latin performers include Intocable, RBD, Pepe Aguilar and Los Tigres Del Norte. Elton John returned to the Arena in April for his third sold-out concert. Rock concerts included Kid Rock, Three Doors Down and Paramore. Disney on Ice this year had the second highest attendance since the building opened. CIF State Wrestlinp Championships Rabobank Arena hosted the California lnterscholastic Federation Wrestling Championships; we have had this event at our facility since 2003. We are starting the bid process for 2010-2012 so hopefully we can have this wonderful event for another three years. The CIF Wrestling Championships brings in about One Million Dollars to the City of Bakersfield over the course of three days. Briqhthouse Networks Amphitheater We hosted four events at the Amphitheater this season. In April we had the Spring Festival including local acts Right Cross, Honky Tonk Truckers, Lost Ocean and Hayes Field. In June we had an alternative concerts with up and coming acts I Hate Kate, Tickle Me Pink, National Product and Thriving Ivory. In September we had Eric Burdon and the Animals. In October we had a Fall Festival featuring Country artist Trent Tomlinson. Upcominq Events Avenged Sevenfold — February 2, 2009 Thomas and Friends — February 10-11, 2009 Harlem Globetrotters — February 12, 2009 CIF Wrestling Championships — March 6-7, 2009 Bye Bye Birdie — March 22, 2009 Walking With Dinosaurs — April 8-11, 2009 Jeff Dunham — April 19, 2009 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels — April 27, 2009 � ,� , �� ;� ,�� , � , ,..�_, � . H ,� . Operations Operations had their hands full this year. If running events in three venues wasn't enough, we took every opportunity to make improvements throughout the facilities on non-event days. Starting with the Theater and Convention Center, we were able to paint the entire stagehouse and catwalk. This project made the entire space look significantly sharper and rnore appealing to the eyes. We were also able to clear a large amount of old and obsolete equipment out from our storage areas that will help us run a more efficient and safe department. We also installed a video system in the theater that will allow any event to plug and play various video formats from the FOH mix position and project them on matching 10'x12' screens on stage left and stage right. In the Arena we were able to paint the Condors dressing room with custom lines and artwork. We also installed the Jetice Mach 6 water filtration system. This system has helped us maintain a better and more consistent sheet of ice. We also took the summer months to do some much needed maintenance on the basketball floor. We replaced a lot of the hardware that had been broken or tweaked over time. We also added the new 3 point line for the new NCAA rule. We detailed all the suites and sealed the grout and tile in the bathrooms. With the help of the city, we constructed a new bar and grille called "The Space Between". With the 7 flat panel TV's and audio system in the room, it creates a great environment for the guests who use it. It will also double as a meeting space with the A/V r � �,� � � � ..� _,,:.: ; � �"`��°�� Rabobank A�ena, Theater and Convention Cente� ��. ��`� & Bake�sfie/d %e Sports Cente� �. #i�b��►�r,�r��n�r, ca�m � � ,. � 4 �� . .. capabilities available to the clients for exceptional presentation opportunities. The steps in the arena bowl were brought back to near new condition after a thorough scrubbing by the housekeeping crew. It is literally a night and day difference. The cable TV feed throughout the arena has been improved. We analyzed the trouble spots and added boosters and repaired connections where we were experiencing bad signals. Overall it has been a banner year for the department. The staff is stable and efficient. Morale is high, and we are heading into 2009 with a full head of steam! I_ce Sports Center The Bakersfield Ice Sports Center is now officially in its fifth year of operation and things couldn't be more exciting and promising for the facility. We hosted a bevy of fantastic events yet again. The hockey community raised in excess of $50,000.00 for the Links to Life Cancer research, we hosted the Pacific District Collegiate Championships, and sold out our inaugural golf tournament for youth hockey which enjoyed a net profit of approximately $20,000.00 we also hosted (and won) our first Squirts "A" tournament among many other exciting events. Our fifth year is sure to be our best yet as we prepare to acquire a Junior Hockey Franchise and introduce Kern County to new brand of hockey that will thrill youngsters and inspire our local talent. See you at the rink! SMG's Corporate Headquarters has moved! On Friday, January 9th, SMG packed up the offices at 8th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, and settled into its new home just a few minutes outside the city, in Conshohocken, PA. The transition was smooth, and the offices were back up and running on Monday, January 12th. Throughout the year Steve Womack was an active member in the monthly meetings of the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Ed Dorsey participated in the monthly Bob Elias Kern County Sports Hall of Fame meetings. The Alliance Against Family Violence hosted their annual BBQ in the Centennial Plaza. The Jehovah Witness Conventions were held at the Rabobank Arena this summer, for this annually occurring event each weekend has about 8,000 people in attendance. ��;�� Paqe 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2, 2009 — FEBRUARY 6, 2009 Resurfacinq/Reconstructinq streets in the followinq areas• Continue working on reconstructing streets in the area between Club View Drive and Sanders Lane, east of Ashe Road (as weather permits). Miscellaneous Streets Division proiects• Working on the Mill Creek project. Working on the Aera Park project. THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Week of February 2_2009_Work Schedule Paqe 2 of 2 STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE Mondav, Februarv 2, 2009 Between Golden State & 16th St. -- "F" St. & Oak St. /kern River Boundary Between 34th St. & 30th St. — Chester Ave. & San Dimas St. Between San Dimas St. & Beale Ave. — 34th/Bernard St. & Niles St. Between Olive Dr. & Riverlakes Dr. (ext.) — Riverlakes Dr. & Coffee Rd. Tuesdav, Februarv 3, 2009 Between California Ave. & Brundage Ln. — Oak St. & Union Ave. Between Renfro Rd. & Jenkins Rd. — Stockdale Hwy. & Kern River Boundary. Wednesdav, Februarv 4, 2009 Between Panorama Dr. & Bernard St. -- Union Ave. & Loma Linda Dr. Between River Blvd. & E. Columbus St. — Panorama Dr. & Columbus St. Between College Ave. & Azalea Ave. — Mountain Dr. & Raval St. Between Ming Ave. & White Ln. — Allen Rd. & Buena Vista Rd. Thursdav, Februarv 5, 2009 City areas between Kentucky St. & Quincy St. — Owens St. & Virginia St. Between Union Ave. & Washington St. — E. Truxtun Ave. & Brundage Ln. Between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. — Panama Ln. & Pacheco Rd. (alignment) City areas between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. — Meadow Falls Dr. & Rose Creek Dr. Fridav, Februarv 6, 2009 Between Buena Vista Rd. & Allen Rd. — Harris Rd. & Panama Ln. Between Buena Vista Rd. & Mountain Vista Dr. — Panama Ln. & Birkshire Rd. Between 178 Hwy. & Paladino Dr. — W. Columbus St. & Morning Dr. City areas between Sterling Rd. & Morning Dr. — 178 Hwy. & College Ave. Between Valley St. & Lene PI. - 178 Hwy & Hickory Dr. Between 178 Hwy. & Reynard Rd. — Kern Canyon Rd. & McKenna St. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Joseph Dr. — McDonald Way. & N. Stine Rd. Week of February 2_2009_Work Schedule N O C F� U � .� � � V o � J � � M tp O � N O p> � t0 � � V ,� � � � x > et J � � � 69 �,y O p � � N � �j � 0 0 O i[� (p U c0 o•j � r � � y F' d � �i c n N � C LL � � M � i U � t c.i � Q = o 0 (Q (0 (n M CO Q � W � � c`") o a U � � � z � � o � � � >' .-- � y a M M � � �r v� C � N N �> �' t'Q W N d�� d-+ O O LL) V � � �� V LL o 0 W M M a :N U _ � .+ N a° � O ` a � U N � U C6 � F- c a LL � � U � (6 (� �., '�� O � O W V Z a 0 0 � � (fl M r � � 0 N T � M rn Q 0 0 ch (D ln C'') r- r- - N N O � � j, In t!') a O � � v_ v_ � � � � f � � W a�� V 0 0 M M i � w c d L 3 U N � � � ^ H(�,C � O� � � M J � � � � � � � N 0 N � U (6 t°- = a U. � � U � � � O � owU Z �- 0 0 M ln � � � o� y N � � T M rn Q i o r lf7 7 � O � � j� '�t '� a � � � v v � � �t � � W n- E» �r � O � � � �� 0 o � M N C� N � c L 3 U « M "' � � b = A � � � D C u m R y L d L � C1 V y 7 � d O �' L � � � 6 � "'' O _ ._ � u d '� � R > ?' o- ar ) V w J � Q w � N y d y � � � O � c a � v � m c t o y 3 � .. � � c c G 1C H w O .7 O � � �, y � � c � � � ` d � tA ""' j G> C � h p � m � � � � N � � � N V C y t�j e� •a � d � Q. R y N � � G�1 d W O C a 3 � � � y R Ui 3 3 � � t '� Z V � _ = r• �� r' � F- O O v y� � � a�i d a�i y � °o � cII � R d N Qi � NmmmF-�,'�.. N Q � lV M tr 1A `- TO: FROM: � B A K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM Alan Tandy, City Manager Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: January 22, 2009 1 `�� .............._. SUBJECT: LANDSCAPING AT 24TH AND OAK Referral No. 54 � � � �, .. c�% ai'V /� �°!`�(.: COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM REQUESTED STAFF BEGIN CONSIDERING THE ULTIMATE PLAN FOR THE LANDSCAPING PROJECT AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF 24TH AND OAK AND BUILDING INTO IT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS; AND, IN THE INTERIM, DETERMINE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CLEANUP THE AREA ON AN INTERIM BASIS. Staff is developing several options for the interim landscaping of this area. A report will be provided when those options are finalized. G:\GROUPDAT�Referra1s�2009\1-14�#54 24th and Oak.doc � B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM January 29, 2009 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Steven Teglia, Administrative Analyst��G��.. SUBJECT: 901 Mohawk (Greenhaven Apartments) Response Letter Council Referral No. 55 (Ward 2) Councilmember Benham requested staff prepare a letter responding to concerns raised by Mr. Romagno, regarding the impacts to the Greenhaven apartments at 901 Mohawk due to the possible freeway alignment (TRIP). Attached is a response letter that was drafted at Councilmember Benham's request. oF,.gA� �Rs�, ,'��'c V � p "� . pq w�.�,,e•°`P., °..,�IFORN � CITY COUNCIL Harvey L. Hall Ma��or Haroid W. Hanson 69ce-tYluvor bl'arr! 5 lrma Carson Wurd 1 Susan M. Benha�ti {1�nrd ? Ken Wcir 1�'ard 3 navid Couch i�i a.d a Jacyuic Sullivan µ'nrd 6 "l.ack Scrivner {�'ard 7 � B A K E R S F I E L D C A L I F O R N I A January 27, 2009 Mr. Roy A. Romagno 901 Mohawk St. #73 Bakersfield, CA 93309-1596 Dear Mr. Romagno: Thank you for your letter dated January 6, 2009, in which you raised several concerns regarding the potential impacts of the Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP) project to extend Highway 58 from its current terminus at Real Road. This project, which is referred to as the Centennial Corridor, is headed by Caltrans. Currently the Centennial Corridor is in the Environmental Study Phase and multiple Project Alternatives are being evaluated, including a no-build option. Caltrans will continue to study all route alternatives, ultimately leading to the adoption of a route that best serves the financial, practical and environmental needs of the public. As you know, this extension of Highway 58 has been a long time coming and, unfortunately, impacts to residences and/or businesses are unavoidable, no matter which alignment is ultimately chosen. At this time, only one of the alternatives (Alternative A) being studied would directly affect the area of the Greenhaven Apartments and final selection of a preferred alignment is still several years away. I understand your concerns and sympathize with you at the potential hardship that relocating may cause you. Should this Alternative become the preferred alignment of the Centennial Corridor, Caltrans has an extensive relocation assistance program that includes help finding a comparable property in a comparable neighborhood to your current residence. This assistance is designed to ease the impact on those in affected areas. In addition, Caltrans assists with moving expenses, including special items such as the antiques that you reference in your I ette r. For your convenience, I have included two informational brochures that you can review that will provide you with additional information regarding the various rights and benefits that you will have, in the event you should ever be displaced by a transportation project such as the Centennial Corridor. Should you have any questions about the information provided please feel free to contact Sarah Gasner with Caltrans at (661) 326-3424 and she will be happy to assist you further. Sincerely, ��.2. ��,.�- Sue Benham Councilmember - Ward 2 cc: Sarah Gasner - Caltrans Enclosures 1501 Tnixtun Avenue • Bakersfield, Califomia 93301 •(661) 326-3767 • Fax (6<� 1) 323-37$0 TO: FROM: � B A K E R S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM Alan Tandy, City Manager Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: January 22, 2009 SUBJECT: STOCKDALE MEDIAN UPGRADE Referral No. 61 �- �,��------. � � � ; ��,. , . .�. . � �,�N 2., COUNCILMEMBER SULLIVAN REQUESTED STAFF ADD STOCKDALE HIGHWAY TO THE LIST OF FUTURE MEDIAN UPGRADES. The City recently received Proposition 1 B funds for upgrading the median surfacing and landscaping on Stockdale Highway between New Stine Road and Oak Street. Staff is currently designing that project and anticipates that it will be constructed during the summer and fall months of 2009. G:\GROUPDAI\Referra1s�2009\1-14\#61 Stockdale Medians.doc