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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/22/2010 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM January 22, 2010 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information MISCELLANEOUS CITY NEWS The City received the draft order from the State Water Resources Control (SWRC) Board on the Kern River this week. It contained very good news, as the SWRC Board indicates that it will revise the declaration that the river is fully appropriated, and accept the applications to appropriate river water, including the one from the City, for processing. The SWRC Board primarily found that the fully appropriated status of the river should be revised because of excess flood flows that have occassionally gone past all the Kern River right holders. There is also a very positive statement in the decision that public trust and environmental issues, which were not addressed at the hearing, will be addressed when our application is processed. Again, this is a draft decision. Comments are due by February 91h and the SWRC Board will consider and presumably approve the order at its February 161h meeting. We are moving into a process where the public can comment on the use of the river water including consideration of environment and public trust issues. The attached article was published based on input from the CVB in the Winter 2010 edition of Western Group Tour Magazine. The article highlights several attractions our city has to offer, such as the Kern County Museum, Crystal Palace, several Basque restaurants, and outdoor adventure areas. —> A letter from Bright House Networks is enclosed regarding its new digital video delivery technology known as Switched Digital Video and some changes to its channel lineup. The following reports are enclosed: • Special Enforcement Gang Violence Report for December 2009. • Streets Division's weekly work schedule. BUDGET NEWS Attached is a copy of an interesting chart regarding percentage job losses during recessionary periods. The chart measures the number of months to full recovery regarding percentage job losses. The chart appears to indicate that the current recession we are experiencing is probably the worst in recent history and the chart also implies full recovery of job losses will be a lengthy process. Honorable Mayor and City Council January 22, 2010 Page 2 KERN COUNTY - The County has placed restrictions on hiring and purchases in the current year and has directed departments to plan for a 20 percent reduction in the overall General Fund budget next fiscal year. RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - The City Council has directed the City Manager to examine how to cut the city budget "by a third", or $1.2 million, "as a response to sales tax and other revenue shortfall" without disrupting service to residents. Sales tax revenue ''dropped significantly lower than expected" in two quarters of 2009, decreasing 16 percent in the second quarter and 15 percent in the third quarter, "far worse than the original projection of 5 percent," and "figures from the fourth quarter, which are expected to be released in March, will determine if the city will look to cutting services.'' The city has used reserves and city hall staff reductions to deal with declining revenues, and "since 2007, the city workforce has dropped 11 .5 percent without laying off full-time employees." TRACY, CA - Tracy Police Officers Association has agreed to a contract amendment to avoid the layoff of six police officers by: • Forgoing a scheduled 5 percent raise in June; • Transitioning to the "3 percent at age 55" pension system for new hires; and, o Extending the contract one year. RESPONSES TO COUNCIL REQUESTS Councilmember Benham • 1-9 reporting compliance. Councilmember Sullivan • Rental concerns. AT:rs:rk cc: Department Heads Roberto Gafford, City Clerk a Betting on Bakersfield st.rat egic loc at fonE-� is jpuss one 11-�._-,.Lspect of this C"; k-l"tY a I ey city J , y Bakersfield is a perfect stopover for source. Bakersfield's own Buck Owens Bakersfield Sound. trips between major cities of the West, and Merle Haggard made the sound Groups should take the chance to whether groups are just passing through —brought by Dust Bowl migrants—fa- sample Bakerfield's Basque cuisine before or spending several days. mous.A new generation of artists, like they leave.The city is home to largest con- To learn about the local scene,visit Dwight Yoakam and Brad Paisley,are car- centration of Basque restaurants outside the Kern County Museum. Since 1941, rying on the sound. the Pyrenees Mountains. Traditionally, the downtown museum encompasses 16 The country crooner and the host of meals are served family style.Woolgrowers acres and several historic structures,in- Hee Haw made a lasting contribution to Basque Restaurant—a favorite of James cluding the Lopez-Hill House, 1910 Fel- the local music heritage with the opening of Brolin and Barbara Streisand—is well lows Hotel,and an 1898 Southern Pacific Buck Owens'Crystal Palace in 1996.Many suited for groups. locomotive. of today's biggest stars interrupt world tours Visitors in March or April will see blan- "Black Gold: The Oil Experience"is to play the intimate 550-seat nightclub, kets of wildflowers;during the year,the Kern one of the centerpiece experiences at the museum,and restaurant.In 2005,coun- River Canyon and Sequoia National Forest museum.The interactive exhibit and the try superstar Garth Brooks proposed to his provide a setting for outdoor adventures.• surrounding acres present an overview then girlfriend and country singer Trisha of how oil is found,extracted,and used Yearwood on the Palace stage. .................................................................................. throughout history.Kern County provides On a visit to Crystal Palace,groups Bakersfield CVB 64 percent of California's oil production, can catch a concert,shop for souvenirs, 515 TTuxtun Ave. and oil production has been a crucial com- and stay for dinner or Sunday brunch.At Bakersfield,CA 93301 ponent of its economy since 1895. the accompanying museum,groups can 1-866-425-7353 Groups familiar with the Bakersfield look back into Owens'career and learn (661)852-7282 Sound can experience the music at its more about other musicians creating the www.bakersfieldcvb.us Vallejo Baylink Ferry �� �_� . ti.: _ _ • Voted "most romantic getaway" in Best of Solano poll Package and Croup Promos CA for Details • Up to 24 sailings daily to/from Vallejo and the SF Ferry Building with stops at Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 41 • Family fares now available E 0 • 1 Emprm neatre—Downtown Vallejo Travel the easy way & leave the driving to us Express bus service • nk 2 • Daily runs throughout Solano County qol • Service 7-days-a-week the Easy way Li W019 & Discovery Kingdom-VaHqo 26 Reader Service Card#383 3701 North Sillect Avenue Joseph R. Schoenstein Bakersfield, CA 93308 Division President Tel (661) 634-2260 Bakersfield Division Fax (661) 395-3378 T bright house NETWORKS January 14,2010 Mr.Alan Tandy City Manager City of Bakersfield 1600 Truxtun Avenue, 5th Floor Bakersfield,CA 93301 Dear Mr.Tandy, Bright House Networks is continuing its commitment to bring new technology and advanced digital services to our community.To that end, we have implemented a new digital video delivery technology known as Switched Digital Video (SDV). SDV is a robust bandwidth-management system that makes it possible to offer more digital video programming services than before, including new HD channels. Effective Friday,January 29, 2010, Dealz TV will cease to exist. It will drop from channel 253. On or after Thursday, February 18, 2010,the following new channels will be delivered on the SDV system: Channel Tier Channel Wize Buys Variety on channel 253 BET HD Standard Service on channel 1208 Hallmark HD Standard Service on channel 1219 MTV HD Standard Service on channel 1800 VH1 HD Standard Service on channel 1801 CMT HD Variety on channel 1803 When delivered on the SDV system, the above channels will become bi-directional (or two-way) services and will continue to be available to all Bright House Networks customers who subscribe to our digital services and lease a digital set-top box or similar bi-directional device capable of supporting two-way services. However, the above channels will not be available to customers with a unidirectional (one-way) retail television or other device who currently lease a CableCARD from Bright House Networks. This small number of impacted customers has been offered the option of obtaining a digital set-top box or similar bi-directional device from Bright House Networks. In either case,such customers will not need to replace their unidirectional retail device. For more information on Bright House Networks programming, please call 661-323-4892 or visit our website at www.mybrighthouse.com. Sincerely, Joseph R.Schoenstein Division President Q� BAKE c `aORPORAT�h'S1� BAKERSFIELD POLICE ' MEMORANDUM C '+w 1 • gLIF 0R�1P Date: January 21, 2010 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Greg Williamson, Chief of Police°c Subject: Special Enforcement Gang Violence Report I have enclosed the Special Enforcement Unit's monthly report for December, 2009. Please call if you have any questions. GSW/vrf BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT GANG UNIT MONTHLY REPORT EM DECEMBER 2009 Gang Unit Monthly Stats for December 2009 52 Felony Arrests 228 FI's 7 Vehicle Reports 17 Misdemeanor Arrests 28 Citations 140 Patrol Call Response 14 Felony Warrant Probation and Parole Arrests 312 Searches 6 Search Warrants 27 Misdemeanor Warrant Hrs. Assisting Other Arrests 398 Department Sections 61 Court Prep 621 Hours In Training 50 Supplemental Reports 3 2009 Shootings 3 2008 Shootings 10 Guns Seized 55 General Offense 4 2007 Shootings Reports 2 2006 Shootings Year to Date Gang Unit Statistics January — December 2009 881 Felony Arrests 4584 FI's 94 Vehicle Reports 386 Misdemeanor Arrests 439 Citations 2259 Patrol Call Response 132 Felony Warrant Probation and Parole Arrests 5550 Searches 95 Search Warrants 433 Misdemeanor Warrant Hrs. Assisting Other Arrests 5683 De artment Sections 789.5 Court Prep 1572 Hours In Training 788 Supplemental Reports 53 2009 Shootings 60 2008 Shootings 211 Guns Seized 894 General Offense 61 2007 Shootings Reports 56 2006 Shootings BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT GANG UNIT MONTHLY REPORT DECEMBER 2009 December 2008-2009 COMPARISON 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 - Felony Arrests Misdemeanor Guns Seized Search Warrants Arrests 0 2008 0 2009 1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 . r, 200 100 0 Probation / Parole Assisting Other Field Interveiws/ Searches Departments Street Checks 0 2008 0 2009 BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT GANG UNIT MONTHLY REPORT DECEMBER 2009 GANG VIOLENCE INDEX 2007-2009 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2007 2008 2009 YTD a HOMICIDES a SHOOTINGS BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT GANG UNIT MONTHLY REPORT Em DECEMBER 2009 2007-2009 - YEARLY TOTALS COMPARISON 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Arrests Guns Seized Search Warrants 02007 112008 0 2009 8000 7000 6000 - -- ----- --- - -- 5000 4000 3000 ' 2000 1000 0 - Probation / Parole Assisting Other Field Interveiws/ Searches Departments Street Checks ■2007 112008 In 2009 M M CJ W 0 N O Z U O � m N M` a w z o � N N n Lr) O N rn l7 a O o O O (� N A w q z m ■ V ��., W C) o aa Ln N Ln Q (� O w A j o Q O w 00 a ■ m a m r Ln Q Ln 1 M co LU Ln N z Q (Ni 0 00 w N O Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF JANUARY 25, 2010 — JANUARY 29, 2010 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the followinq areas: Reconstructing streets in the area between District Boulevard & White Lane, west of Gosford Road (weather permitting). Crack sealing streets in the area between Stockdale Highway and Truxtun Avenue, east of Coffee Road (weather permitting). Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Installing curb & gutters in the area between California Avenue & 4th Street, east of Chester Avenue (CDBG FUNDED PROJECT). Working on the Ming Avenue widening project (installing storm drain). THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Week of January 25_2010_Work Schedule Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, January 25, 2010 Between Coffee Rd. & Verdugo Ln. — Brimhall Rd., south to the Kern River boundary. Cul-De-Sacs, west of Windsong St., between Brimhall Rd. & Thistlewood Ct. City areas between Rosedale Hwy. & Stockdale Hwy. — Verdugo Ln. to the west City Limit. Between Jenkins Rd. & Allen Rd. — Stockdale Hwy. & Birkenfeld Ave. Between Hosking Rd. & Astro Ave. — So. "H" St. & Union Ave. Tuesday, January 26 2010 City areas between Olive Dr. & Downing Ave. — Coffee Rd. & Knudsen Dr./Mohawk St., including Patton Wy. From Weldon Ave. to Meany Ave. Between W. Columbus St. & 34th St. — Chester Ave. & San Dimas St. Beween Union Ave. & Madison St. — Casa Loma Dr. & White Ln. Between Westwold Dr. & So. Laurelglen Blvd. — Gosford Rd. & Woodglen Dr. Wednesday, January 27, 2010 City areas between Snow Rd. & Rosedale Hwy. — Jewetta Ave., west to the City limit. Between Ming Ave. & So. Laurelglen Blvd. — Coffee Rd. & El Portal / Laurelglen Blvd. Thursday, January 28, 2010 Between Snow Rd. & Olive Dr. — Jewetta Ave., east to the canal boundary. Between Olive Dr. & Hageman Rd. — Jewetta Ave. & Calloway Dr. Between Niles St. & Sumner St. — Union Avenue & Beale Ave. Between Sumner St. & E. Truxtun Ave. — Beale Ave. & Brown St. Between Brundage Ln. & E. Belle Terrace St. — Union Ave. & Kincaid St. Between Camino Media & Kroll Wy. — Coffee Rd., west to the PG&E easement. Friday, January 29, 2010 All sweepers are assigned to sweeping streets that are not on a set sweeping schedule. NOTE: If raining, there will be no street sweeping service and all street cleaning personnel will be assigned to cleaning plugged drains and part circle culverts. Week of January 25_2010_Work Schedule B� r — r d MEMORANDUM FOR TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Nelson K. Smith, Finance Director .A-I5 DATE: January 22, 2010 SUBJECT: Percent Job Losses during Recessionary Periods Attached is a copy of an interesting chart regarding percentage job losses during recessionary periods. The chart measures the number of months to full recovery regarding percentage job losses. While it isn't clear from the chart, I believe the chart reflects USA national data. The chart appears to indicate that the current recession we are experiencing is probably the worst in recent history and the chart also implies full recovery of job losses will be a lengthy process. Attachment cc: Rick Kirkwood File name: nks:/p:/memo-recession chart—gen info jan 2010.doc Page 1 of 1 PercentJob Losses in Post WWII Recessions —1948 —1953 --1958 —1960 1969 —1974 1980 —1981 —1990 —2001 —2007 1.0% s c 0.0% 0 Y c d >0 -1.0% c E w -2.0% 0 Y N -3.0% N ar N N -4.0% 0 Y Current u CL -5.0% Employment Recession 6.0% 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 1819 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 Number of Months After Peak Employment http://ti""v.calculatedriskbiog.com/ http://4.bp.blogspot.com/ PMscxxELHEg/SOclSPJEkNI/AAAAAAAAHMs/]PWIFPlzch... 1/22/2010 With sales tax down, city looks to cut 1.2 million- ContraCostaTimes.com Page 1 of 1 CONIRACOSTATIMES CvntroCo With sales tax down, city fund, has dropped significantly lower than expected. In the second and third quarters of 2009, looks to cut 1.2 million sales tax dipped 16 and 15 percent respectively,far worse than the original projection of 5 percent. Wendy Leung,Staff Writer Figures from the fourth quarter,which are expected to be released in March,will determine if the city Posted:01/20/2010 01:30:27 PM PST will look to cutting services. Updated:01/20/2010 04:19:25 PM PST "You can only go so many years...without RANCHO CUCAMONGA-The city is looking for affecting services,"Lam said. ways to cut its budget deficit by a third as a response to sales tax and other revenue shortfall. Development fees,franchise fees and many other revenue sources also fell lower than projected.The During a mid-year budget review on Tuesday, City city also received about$740,000 less than Council directed City Manager Jack Lam to look for expected from state tax reimbursement. ways to trim the budget by about$1.2 million without affecting services. So far,the city has dealt with the economic blow by dipping into its reserves and reducing City Hall staff City staff members are expected to present what through attrition.Since 2007,the city workforce has money-saving measures are available in 30 days. dropped 11.5 percent without laying off full-time employees. Lam said the move was akin to"squirrels counting nuts before preparing for winter." "People understand that wearing multiple hats is better than wearing not hat,"Lam said. "The recession will end some time," he said. "It's a matter of how long we have to wait this out." Lam said these were"less invasive measures"to carry the city through the recession. After two and a half years of cuts,the city now has little leeway to slash the operational budget. Lam "We rather do that than take knee-jerk reactions to said the city will look into contract negotiations with cut services,"he said. "The whole idea is to draw vendors,grant reassignment and other measures to down the budget, manage the reserves to take us help close the$3.6 million gap. down gently,chasing the bottom." "We've gone through three rounds of cutting and we're getting toward scrapping the bottom here," Lam said. "We don't know where the bottom is.We'll do this last scrape." Sales tax revenue, a key source for the general Advertisement APPETITES.SATISFIES SATISFIES Dollar ALL DAY �n2,109 McDonald SATISFIES Print Powered By i= rl G naics" http://www.contracostatimes.com/califomia/ci_14231317?nctick check=l 1/22/2010 Tracy police officers forgo raises to save jobs - Inside Bay Area Page 1 of 1 Tracy police officers forgo Department has an estimated$23.8 million operating budget for 2009-10,the second highest raises to save jobs expenditure in Tracy. Public works has an operating budget of$50.8 million for 2009-10. By Sophia Kazmi Contra Costa Times Without the changes,the department would have considered dismantling the department's four- Posted:01/21/2010 04:40:28 PM PST person gang unit and laying off two sergeants,and demoting a police captain. Updated:01/21/2010 06:45:54 PM PST TRACY—Tracy police have agreed to forgo raises Tracy Mayor Brent Ives said he wasn't surprised by for the next 2 1/2 years to save the jobs the officers'concession. of six of their fellow officers. "We are pretty tight here in Tracy,and I thought that The contract amendment to give up their scheduled is exactly what they were going to do," Ives said. 5 percent raise in June was approved last week by members of the Tracy Police Officers Association. Other unionized city employees have also agreed to The contract,set to expire in 2011,was also make changes to help the city through the tough extended for an additional year without any added financial times, he said. Unrepresented employees benefits,said Marc Bergman,the association's have also taken pay cuts,forgone raises and taken president.TPOA has 85 members, representing all furlough days to help balance the budget. sworn officers except the police chief. While the city budgeted conservatively, its revenue "We all wanted to do our part,"Bergman said. stream is a wild card. Ives said he hopes the city has already done all the cutting it needs to make its The union members also agreed to transition to a financial goals. pension system of 3 percent at age 55,which delays receiving pension benefits by five years for future Given the many violent incidents the city new hires.That change was suggested by the union experienced in 2009,continuing quality public as a long-term savings option for the city. safety is a priority, Ives said. Pensions are calculated by multiplying 3 percent of "The public is loud and clear:We have to an officer's salary by the number of years he or she continually be vigilant in public safety,and we fully worked until retirement.So if an officer makes intend to do so,"he said. $100,000 a year and worked for 25 years,his or her pension would be a total of$75,000. Contact Sophia Kazmi at 925-847-2122. The city was seeking a savings of about$1.1 Follow her at Twitter.com/sophiakazmi . million from the department,Bergman said,to help overcome a$9.2 million budget shortfall.The Police Advertisement SATISFIES APPETITES. Dollar ACCOUNTANTS. ALL DAY LONG. SATISFIES Print Powered By Fir rCrtmi+ s h ttp://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_14241348?source=rss 1/22/2010 AK�h'S r MEMORANDUM CITY ATrORNEY'S OFFICE �m 'LIFO �yl January 20, 2010 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: JOSHUA H. RUDNICK, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY SUBJECT: 1-9 REPORTING COMPLIANCE COUNCIL REFERRAL NO. 152 Councilmember Benham requested that staff look into whether or not the City is in compliance with all laws regarding 1-9 reporting on City contracts. ISSUE: Is the City of Bakersfield in compliance with all laws regarding 1-9 reporting on City contracts? SHORT ANSWER: Yes. BACKGROUND: The Employment Eligibility Verification Form 1-9 is a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services form. It is used by an employer to verify an employee's identity and to establish that the worker is eligible to accept employment in the United States. In addition to filling out the 1-9 Form, the employee must present a document, or a combination of documents that establishes both his or her identity, and his or her legal authorization to work in the United States. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) (8 U.S.C. Section 1324a) requires employers to verify that all newly-hired employees present "facially valid" documentation verifying the employee's identity and his or her legal authorization to accept employment in the United States. The 1-9 Form or more properly the Employment Eligibility Verification Form" is provided by the federal government for that purpose. Every employee hired after November 6, 1986 must complete an 1-9 Form at the time of hire. The employer is responsible for ensuring that the form is completed properly, and in a timely manner. The 1-9 Form is not required for unpaid volunteers or when an employer hires independent contractors. Employers must retain a copy of the 1-9 Form for three years after the employee is hired or one year after their employment is terminated, whichever is LATER. The 1-9 Form must be retained as long as the employee is employed with the company. HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL January 20, 2010 Page 2 The 1-9 Form must be made available for inspection ONLY by authorized officials of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor for enforcement, and the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, which enforces the anti-discrimination provisions. Therefore, an employer is not under any legal obligation to produce the 1-9 Form to anyone other than the authorized federal agencies. The IRCA includes penalties for 1-9 noncompliance. According to the 1-9 Form, "federal law provides for imprisonment and/or fines for false statements or use of false documents in connection with the completion of this form."An employer who hires an unauthorized worker can be fined between $250 and $5,500 per worker. In addition, such an employer can be barred from federal government contracts for a year. An employer who fails to keep proper records that 1-9 Forms are properly filed can be fined $110 per missing item for each form, up to$1,100 perform, even if the employee is legally authorized to work in the US. City of Bakersfield Compliance: The City of Bakersfield is in compliance with the laws and reporting requirements associated with the 1-9 Form. Every new City employee is required to fill out an 1-9 Form at the time of hire and the Human Resources Dept. maintains the 1-9 Form according to the federal law. As stated above, the City of Bakersfield does not have the authority to audit and enforce the 1-9 regulations on other companies and business entities because each company subject to IRCA is responsible for their own employees and only authorized agents from the federal government can access the 1-9 Forms. Although the City cannot enforce compliance with IRCA, City contracts contain language that states that the entity is in "compliance with all laws," including federal law. In addition, the City's policy is not to do business with companies that violate the law or are barred from state or federal contracts. Thus, the City could not knowingly enter into a contract with a company that is in violation of IRCA and the 1-9 Form requirements, JHR:dII cc: Alan Tandy, City Manager Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant S:I000NCUReferra1slo9-70 Referrals0enham.1-9Comphance.Doc BAKE -4 ohs 'o MEMORANDUM CITY ATrORNEY'S OFFICE gLIF 0 1 January 19, 2010 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: JUSTIN A. CRUMLEY, ASSOCIATE CITY ATTORNEY SUBJECT: RENTAL CONCERNS COUNCIL REFERRAL NO. 153 Councilmember Sullivan requested that the City Attorney respond to Mr. Quirarte's concerns about the City's responsibilities involving his request to have his rent deposit returned from a former landlord. On January 13, 2010, during the public statements portion of the City Council meeting, Jose Quirarte addressed the City Council regarding his eviction from Village Lane Apartments and the landlord's refusal to return his deposit. Mr. Quirarte has previously addressed the City Council in December 2007, February 2008 and November 2009 regarding these issues. In response to Councilmember Sullivan's request, this memorandum provides a summary of Mr. Quirarte's concerns, City action taken as relayed to Mr. Quirarte in previous communications, and the City's current responsibilities. Complaint History The following is a list of prior complaints by Mr. Quirarte (in bold) and corresponding action taken by the City: 1 . Assistance for the release of a car from a towing company before a pending lien sale - Mr. Quirarte was advised that this was a civil matter that the City cannot provide assistance to resolve. He was further advised to seek legal assistance from Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA); 2. Black widow/roach infestation and other needed repairs at Village Lane Apartments-Subsequent to Mr. Quirarte's complaints, Code Enforcement was dispatched to survey any related violations. Code Enforcement determined there were no visible life safety issues or signs of blight in the apartment complex. Mr. Quirarte was informed of Code Enforcement's findings and that further action could only be taken in response to a complaint from a current HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL January 19, 2010 Page 2 tenant. At this time, there are no complaints registered for this apartment complex, 3. Assistance for Payment of hospital bills resulting from a spider bite at Village Lane Apartments- Mr. Quirarte was advised that this was a civil matter that the City cannot legally provide assistance to resolve. Mr. Quirarte was advised to contact GBLA; 4. Landlord retaliation due to complaints filed with Section 8 - Section 8 and landlord retaliation complaints are outside the City's jurisdiction. Mr. Quirarte was advised to contact the City of Bakersfield's Fair Housing coordinator to discuss related issues and receive direction on how to proceed. 5. Unlawful eviction from Village Lane Apartments, including a refusal of deposit return - These two issues are civil issues outside of the purview of the City Council and the City of Bakersfield. Mr. Quirarte was advised to contact GBLA. City's Current Responsibilities The City of Bakersfield sympathizes with Mr. Quirarte's past and current concerns and has tried to provide assistance; however, many of Mr. Quirarte's issues are civil in nature and require that Mr. Quirarte seek help from his own personal attorney. It is not that the City doesn't want to help, it is simply that we have no leverage or power to help. Mr. Quirarte must seek court intervention. JAC:Isc cc: Alan Tandy, City Manager Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant Mr. Jose Quirarte SACOUNCIL\Referrals\09-10 Referrals\Sullivan_VillageLaneApts.doc