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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/08/2012 OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER June 8, 2012 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager AT SUBJECT: General Information Miscellaneous News • Enclosed you will find our latest letter to the State Department of Finance which appeals the recent decisions on about $8 million in obligations. • Congratulations are in order for the Police Department Traffic Division. Staff learned this week that the Department placed 1st in the 2011 California Law Enforcement Challenge (CLEC) Competition. This is the second year in a row the Bakersfield Police Department has won the award. The competition rewards the best overall traffic safety programs in California by law enforcement type and size of agency. The areas of concentration include efforts to enforce laws and educate the public about occupant protection, impaired driving, and speeding. • Staff was encouraged to learn that more than 100 local businesses are currently working with the Westside Parkway's contractor as subcontractors and material suppliers. Additionally, more than 75 percent of the workers on the Westside Parkway are local residents. TRIP staff recently held a contractors' outreach meeting to publicize the availability of upcoming design and construction projects. The event gave local contractors an opportunity to talk with TRIP staff, contractors and consultants about various opportunities that may be available in the future. A memo and vendor list is enclosed. • The Jehovah’s Witnesses Watchtower Convention returns to Bakersfield today for the second of six summer weekends of meetings. Each weekend brings 6,000 visitors to Bakersfield. This is the largest convention that meets in Bakersfield and sells out hotel rooms throughout the city, as well as keeping many restaurants very busy. In addition to this weekend, the other convention weekends are June 22-24, June 29- July 1, July 20-22, and July 27-29. • State Route 184 at Bedford Green Drive will be closed in both directions beginning June 11th through June 24th as part of a reconstruction project in the area. During the closure traffic is being detoured to Fairfax Road and State Route 178. A news release from the Public Works Department is enclosed. Honorable Mayor and City Council General Information June 8, 2012 Page 2 Budget News Staff has compiled the following budget-related responses from the May 23rd Council meeting:  Councilmember Johnson: o Break down of the percentage of the roads budget that goes toward bike and pedestrian enhancements o Addition of 1 or 2 police officer positions and 1 animal control officer position for FY 12-13 o Feasibility of a spray park at Stonecreek Park  Councilmember Salas: o Extending the pavement rehab project originally proposed from Hwy 99 to South H Street to Union Avenue in future years  Councilmember Weir: o Savings from hiring additional fleet staff vs. sending vehicles/equipment out for repairs o Contractor working on the landfill closure project using the dirt mounds near Fairfax and Paladino o Adding Police Service Technicians during mid-year budget adjustments High Speed Rail News  A recent Los Angeles Times/USC poll of registered voters found 55 percent of the voters want the high speed rail bond issue that was approved in 2008 placed back on the ballot, and 59 percent say they now would vote against it. Additionally, 69 percent of respondents stated they would never or hardly ever ride the train – 0 percent said they would use it more than once a week. An article is enclosed.  The enclosed article provides troubling insight into how the Governor is trying to expedite the high speed rail project, despite the multiple obvious flaws in the draft EIR and business plan. Specifically, the Governor is seeking to limit challenges from opponents under the CEQA process. The article is worth a read! Honorable Mayor and City Council General Information June 8, 2012 Page 3 Event Information There are multiple events next week at City facilities:  Beale Band Concert June 10th at 8 p.m. Beale Park Free Admission  Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music June 12th at 7 p.m. June 13th at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Rabobank Theater Tickets: $10-53  Music Fest at Silver Creek June 12th at 7 p.m. Silver Creek Park Free Admission  Satisfaction June 15th at 8:00 p.m. Bright House Networks Amphitheatre Tickets: $10  Movies in the Park: Happy Feet 2 June 15th at 8 p.m. Pin Oak Park Free Admission Council Referrals  Councilmember Johnson: o Bike Lanes on Wible, from Panama to Planz  Councilmember Sullivan: o California Cat Laws Reports For your information, we enclose the following information:  The Streets Division work schedule for the week of June 11th; and  A letter from Bright House Networks regarding changes to its programming. AT:rs:ch cc: Department Heads Roberta Gafford, City Clerk Thomas Roads Improvement Program MEMORANDUM 900 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 200, Bakersfield, California 93301 Telephone: (661) 326-3700 • Fax: (661) 852-2195 Date: May 31, 2012 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Janet Wheeler Thomas Roads Improvement Program Subject: Small Business Opportunities The Thomas Roads Improvement Program held a contractors' outreach meeting on May 22, 2012. TRIP hosts these meetings periodically, to publicize the availability of upcoming design and construction projects. We held similar meetings in 2010 and 2008. Bakersfield Public Works, Kern County Roads and Caltrans also participate in these meetings, using the opportunity to present their upcoming projects in Bakersfield and Kern County. These projects include opportunities for businesses of all sizes and time is set aside at these meetings for networking to allow businesses that would like to participate in these projects to contact prime contractors and consultants early in the process to become part of their teams. We would like to see more local businesses participate in these road improvement projects and we were encouraged to learn that more than 100 local businesses are currently working with the Westside Parkway's contractor as subcontractors and material suppliers. Additionally, more than 75 percent of the workers on the Westside Parkway are local residents. TRIP currently has advertised Requests for Qualifications/Requests for Proposals for the Rosedale Highway Widening Project, SR 178 Widening Project, and the 24th Street Improvement Project. Proposals are due on June 12, 2012. A pre-RFP/RFQ meeting was held on May 30, 2012 (advertised in The Bakersfield Californian on May 22nd). This meeting was mandatory for prime consultants and only those who attended the meeting will be eligible to bid on these projects. It was not mandatory for sub consultants to attend the meeting and interested local businesses should make contact with the prime consultants as soon as possible. The sign-in sheets showing meeting attendees may be reviewed and downloaded from the TRIP website: www.bakersfieldfreeways.us. Here is the direct link: http://www.bakersfieldfreeways.us/RFQ-RFP-May_2012.htm. TRIP projects are all advertised through the City of Bakersfield's Purchasing Division. Purchasing maintains a list of interested suppliers, consultants, and contractors that are notified when projects are advertised. All local businesses that want to work on TRIP or other City projects should register as vendors. The names of interested bidders are also posted with each project so businesses can make the appropriate contacts. Vendor registration is easy and can be done online. Visit the city's website: www.bakersfieldcity.us, select Purchasing Division under the “Departments” tab, then select “Vendor's Portal” to access the Vendor's Registration Page. A link is also provided on the TRIP website home page. All of the meeting materials from the May 22 contractors' outreach meeting are posted on the TRIP website. The direct link is: http://www.bakersfieldfreeways.us/ProjectPreview2012materials.html. Participants are invited to these contractors' outreach meetings via email. For the May 2012 meeting, 950 invitations were sent from the TRIP office to businesses throughout California. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to provide their contact information, and updates as necessary, so they can be included in mailings. Please provide information to Janet Wheeler at the TRIP office, (661) 326-3491 or by email: jwheeler@bakersfieldfreeways.us In addition, Caltrans District 6 Small Business Office forwarded the invitation to their list of businesses, which included 143 small businesses in the Bakersfield area. Local businesses may want to consider becoming a Certified Small Business under this program. The State's Small Business brochure is included with the meeting materials on the TRIP website. For more information on the Caltrans Small Business Program, local businesses may contact Morris Caudle or Kelly Mertlik at District 6 office in Fresno, (559) 488-7332. They can also provide information on Disadvantage Business Enterprise certification. If you have additional questions, please contact Janet Wheeler at (661) 326-3491. Security Paving Local Vendor List Bakersfield, CA  84 Lumber Jim Burke Ford A&B Trucking John Deere A‐1 Trucking Kaman Abacus Surveying Kern County Waste Management AC Replacements Kern Turf Supply Ace Hydraulic Kimball Midwest Acer Trucking Lambwire  Advanced Communication Lewis Barricade Advanced Districution Lowes Airgas McClure & Son Eq Alon USA Melos Gas Alternative Hose Napa Auto Andy Gump Office Depot Arsenal Eq Rental Old River Sod Austin Enterprises Oleary's Office B& B Surplus Papay Kenworth B&G Machine Parkhouse Tire B&R Tool Praxair Bakersfield Pipe & Supply PTO Sales Bill Wright Toyota Quinn/ Caterpillar Blueprnt Services Quinn Rental Budget Bolt Rain For Rent Cal Lowbed Rudys Landscape Cal Valley Eq Safety Network Calif Ind Rubber San Antonio Nursery California Electrical Suppply Smith & Son Tire Carpentar Rigging Sniders Cyclery CER Equip Rental Sparklettsqpp Coast Crane Statewide Safety & Sign Constar Suburban Propane Costco Sully & Son Hydraulic Curtis Electric Sunbelt Eq Rental  CVS Trench Taylor Eq Davis Radiator TCI Tire Dirt Works Ten West Towing Espinoza Gardening Terminix Executive Business Services The Padre  Ferguson Transwest Security Floor Layers Emporium Triple E Trucking Freds BBQ Tri‐Steel Freightliner/ Bakersfield Truck Center Turner Crane  Garcia Roofing United Rentals  Gibbs United Site Services Golden Empire Equipment Rental United Trench Shoring Grainger USA Fabrication Great Pacific Eq Co Valley Decal  Groeniger Valley Detroit Diesel H&S Hose Volvo Eq Rental Home Depot Vulcan Hub Construction Specialties White Cap J&M Equipment Wholesale Fuel J&M Land Restoration Public Works Department Raul Rojas – Public Works Director PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Rick Millwee Thursday, June 07, 2012 Construction Superintendent (661) 326-3049 Construction on State Route 184 at Bedford Green Drive Closure of State Route 184 CORRECTION As part of the reconstruction of State Route 184 at Bedford Green Drive, the City of Bakersfield will modify and flatten the roadway profile to provide adequate sight distance for safe and efficient traffic operation for the future Bedford Green Drive alignment. This phase of the project will entail complete reconstruction of the pavement at the intersection, adjustment of the roadway profile, installation of a storm drain system and installation of a gabion wall. During this phase of construction traffic will be closed in both directions on State Route 184 at Bedford Green Drive and traffic will be detoured to both Fairfax Road and State Route 178. Construction operations will begin on Monday, June 11, 2012. Traffic is expected to be restored on State Route 184 on June 24th and the estimated completion date for all construction at this intersection is July 6, 2012. The City thanks the public for their patience during the construction of these improvements. For more information, please contact Rick Millwee, Public Works Construction Superintendent, at (661) 326-3049. # # # City of Bakersfield • Public Works Department • 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, California • 93301 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- THIS JUST IN Californians turn against high-speed rail project, poll finds June 3, 2012 | 8:36 am A controversial $68-billion high-speed rail project in California has lost support from a majority of Californians, a USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll found. Across the state, 55% of the voters want the bond issue that was approved in 2008 placed back on the ballot, and 59% say they now would vote against it. Since voters approved that $9-billion borrowing plan, the state and national economic outlook has dimmed and some of the promises about the bullet train have been compromised. Its projected cost has roughly doubled, and it will now share track with slower commuter and freight trains in some areas. Powerful agriculture groups and freight railroads have asserted that proposed routes would damage their interests and compromise safety. Churches, schools, businesses and homeowners are fighting the project. The poll shows that concerns about the project extend broadly across regions, ethnic groups, income brackets and even political affiliations. In Southern California, 67% of voters said they would reject issuing bullet train bonds if they could vote again. Although organized labor has been among the biggest proponents of the project, 56% of union households now would reject the state funding plan, the poll found. Even among Democrats, the strongest backers of the project, only 43% would support the bond in a new vote, while 47% would oppose it. And 76% of Republicans would vote it down. The poll found that most voters don't expect to use it. Sixty-nine percent said they would never or hardly ever ride it. Zero percent said they would use it more than once a week. Public opinion surveys cannot predict the revenues and ridership a rail service might generate. The poll results raise questions about whether the system would serve as a robust commuter network, allowing people to live in small towns and work in big cities or vice versa. On the other hand, 33% of respondents said they would prefer a bullet train over an airplane or car on trips between L.A. and the Bay Area. The USC Dornsife/L.A. Times survey contacted 1,002 registered voters in mid-May. Two other polls last year also found shrinking support for the project, which was approved by 52.7% of voters in 2008. A third poll this year also found likely voters opposed the project, though adults in general favor it by a small margin. ALSO: Transit of Venus: Excitement builds for astronomical rarity Parolee arrested after medieval-style weapon found in home Spelling bee champ studied with 30,000 flashcards created by dad LOCAL Californians turn against high-speed rail project, poll finds - latimes.comhttp://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/06/californians-high-speed-ra... 6/5/2012 5:17 PM L.A.'s Kings the home team in the beach cities West Hollywood parish leaves Presbyterian Church over gay rights Artist pays homage to L.A.'s unseen workers FROM AROUND THE WEB --Ralph Vartabedian Photo: Dan Richard of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, center, at a Sacramento news conference in November. Credit: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press EDITOR'S PICKS: Comments (3) [what's this] Why Does My Dog... 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Book Today with Rail Europe.RailEurope.com Ads by Google Californians turn against high-speed rail project, poll finds - latimes.comhttp://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/06/californians-high-speed-ra... 6/5/2012 5:17 PM Governor Brown’s Abuse of Power - San Francisco Transportation Policy...http://www.examiner.com/article/governor-brown-s-abuse-of-power 1 of 3 6/7/2012 10:27 AM Flashman reminds us that “it is possible for a federal judge to block release of federal funds which could cause the project o grind to a halt.” So what could be the other reason the Governor wants this bill? There seems to be attempts to add, change or strengthen some of the terms of AB 3034. It introduces new words like phased implementation and blended which never existed in the original law and showing up in this draft legislation. It even gives the Authority the right to propose taxes to fatten up their financial plan, of course with approval of the legislature. One would question how you change initiative language with a majority vote. Unless provided otherwise in the initiative itself (and Proposition 1A has no such provision) initiatives may be changed only by a revote of the public. This might be to hold off a lawsuit that they expect would be filed in the Peninsula challenging the blended approach or minimize the risk to the only non-CEQA lawsuit which has been filed. The Central Valley suit that challenges the use of state bond funds because the first segment violates 1A. Or it could be about supporting union voters. Rod Diridon thinks so as he addressed an audience this May at the USHSR conference. Diradon delivers a very no nonsense message. “We have a legislature that is heavily – I don’t want to be partisan, here except that the issue has become partisan in CA because of the tax on HSR through the elected conservatives – but we have a democratic legislature. We have a democratic governor. Those folks are elected by labor. Labor needs these jobs. You folks that represent labor and the construction industry need to let those legislators know that this is a fish or cut bait issue. If you vote for this we’ll love you forever and we’re gonna have a healthy state because we’re going to have a lot of jobs and a lot of taxes being paid by those people who are going to see that $7B from the state and federal … project. If you don’t vote for it, we don’t want you anymore.’ And it’s got to be that clear. And you’ve got to be that direct.” As a reminder, Job claims have been grossly exaggerated by the High-Speed Rail Authority. Other infrastructure projects, repair of aging infrastructure could more valuable and could have an immediate impact on employment than a new capital project. In the newest poll by USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times lreleased last week showed even union families suppor for the project has dropped appreciably from the time of the election. Governor Brown’s Abuse of Power - San Francisco Transportation Policy...http://www.examiner.com/article/governor-brown-s-abuse-of-power 2 of 3 6/7/2012 10:27 AM Governor Brown’s Abuse of Power - San Francisco Transportation Policy...http://www.examiner.com/article/governor-brown-s-abuse-of-power 3 of 3 6/7/2012 10:27 AM Week of June 11_2012_Work Schedule Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION – WORK SCHEDULE Week of June 11, 2012 – June 15, 2012 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Reconstructing streets in the area north of White Ln and west of Wible Rd Grind & Resurface Ming Ave between Wible Rd & New Stine (most of work will be done at night) Grind & Resurface Real Rd between Stockdale Hwy & California Ave Sealing streets in the area between Frwy 99 & “H” St north of White Ln Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Video inspection of City owned Sewer & Storm lines to evaluate condition of pipes (CDBG funded area) Installing & Repairing curb, gutter & sidewalks in the area east of Oleander & south of Palm St. (CDBG funded area) Installing & Repairing curb, gutter & sidewalks in the area south of California Ave to 8th St from “M” St to “N” St Working on removing Block Wall and footing at Fire Station 1 THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Week of June 11_2012_Work Schedule Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, June 11, 2012 Between So. “H” St. & Union Avenue – Pacheco Rd. & Hosking Rd. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Truxtun Ave. (ext.) – Coffee Rd & Partridge Ave. Tuesday, June 12, 2012 Between 99 Hwy. & So. “H” St. – Ming Ave. & Panama Ln. Cul-De-Sacs on the north side of Magdelena Ave., west of So. “H” St. Wednesday, June 13, 2012 City areas between Brundage Ln. & Ming Ave. – So. “H” St. & Union Ave. City areas between Wilson Rd. & Pacheco Rd. – So. “H” St. & Union Ave. Between Casa Loma Dr. & Planz Rd. – Madison Ave. & Cottonwood Dr. Between Planz Rd. & Brook St. – Madison Ave. & Hale St. Thursday, June 14, 2012 Between Carr St. & California Ave. – Mohawk St. & Stockdale Hwy. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Marella Wy. – California Ave. & Montclair St. Between La Mirada Dr. & Chester Ln. – Montclair St. & No. Stine Rd. Between California Ave. (ext.) & Stockdale Hwy. – No. Stine Rd. & 99 Hwy. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Ming Ave. – New Stine Rd. & Ashe Rd. Between Mountain Ridge Dr. & Ashe Rd. – Taft Hwy. & Berkshire Rd. Friday, June 15, 2012 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.) 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. This also applies when a large number of street sweeper are in Fleet for repairs which is the current case. Areas that have been missed during this time will be swept at the end of the month.