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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/15/2013 OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER February 15, 2013 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager AT SUBJECT: General Information Miscellaneous News  We are pleased to announce BPOA has accepted the City Council’s latest offer and we expect the contract to be before you at the next Council meeting. Redevelopment News  On February 13th, the City in its capacity as the successor agency to the former dissolved Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency filed a lawsuit in the Sacramento Superior Court challenging the Department of Finance’s decisions rejecting certain items listed on the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS). Specifically, the City disputes the DOF’s decision to invalidate payments that were authorized and necessary for the completion of two affordable housing projects for seniors and veterans in an amount totaling $4.2 million, which were required to be built as part of a $10.8 million State Prop 1C Grant for infrastructure improvements in Mill Creek. The lawsuit seeks a court order that property taxes be distributed to pay for each valid enforceable obligation and further seeks a court order declaring that all of the Prop 1C Projects and the payments are enforceable obligations within the meaning of the Dissolution Act on any and all ROPS, now or in the future. In addition, as part of the State’s dissolution process, the City was successful in saving $12 Million of the $17 Million in funds allocated for the repayment of the Rabobank Arena bond debt. The lawsuit also seeks an order allowing the distribution of property taxes to cover the $5 Million shortfall in Rabobank Arena bond payments, which is a debt that the former redevelopment agency has being making payments on since 1997. Budget News  As we move through the budget season, we like to provide you with information which gives you insight into other cities around California and challenges they are facing. As such, enclosed is an article regarding the City of Fresno and reports that it may be facing insolvency without further cuts to its workforce. General Information February 15, 2013 Page 2 TRIP News  Motorists are advised to anticipate lane closures and/or delays on Jewetta Avenue, beginning February 18-20. Alternating northbound and southbound lanes on Jewetta Avenue Bridge over the Westside Parkway will be closed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Flaggers will be on hand to direct traffic as crews work in the area. Motorists can expect delays of up to five minutes. All lanes will re-open in time for the evening commute. The closures will allow the contractor of the Westside Parkway to install the permanent bridge railing on the Jewetta Avenue Bridge. Upcoming Events Sports: Condors Hockey February 15th vs. Colorado February 16th vs. Colorado 7:00 p.m. Rabobank Arena Tickets: $8 - $25 Trade Show: Spa, Swim, Patio Furniture BBQ Island and Sauna Show February 15th-17th Doors Open 12 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday Rabobank Convention Center Admission is free Reports For your information, we enclose the following:  Streets Division work schedule for the week of February 18, 2013; and  Recreation and Parks Monthly Report for January. AT:rs:al cc: Department Heads Roberta Gafford, City Clerk Bloomberg Businessweek News From Bloomberg Fresno Mayor Orders Worker Cuts to Fend Off Insolvency By Michael B. Marois on February 13, 2013 http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-02-13/fresno-mayor-orders-worker-cuts-to-fend-off-insolvency The mayor of Fresno, California, ordered more city workers fired to cut payroll costs after municipal unions gathered enough signatures to block part of her plan to keep the city out of bankruptcy. Mayor Ashley Swearengin said she ordered the city manager to draw up layoff plans after a union-led petition drive forced the City Council to consider a ballot measure on her plan to privatize residential trash services, according to a statement. The plan, approved by the council in December, was projected to raise $200,000 a month beginning in March. Fresno, California’s fifth-largest city at about 510,000, has seen labor costs rise after tax revenue fell in the longest recession since the 1930s. Moody’s Investors Service lowered the city’s issuer debt rating in July to A3, the fourth-lowest investment grade, from A2, and cut its lease-supported obligations last month to Ba1, a non-investment grade, from Baa2. “There are two actions that we must take to protect our city from complete decimation of public safety and, potentially, insolvency -- privatizing our solid waste services and relatively modest concessions from our bargaining groups,” Swearengin said. Stockton (3654MF), with 292,000 people about 80 miles east of San Francisco, became the biggest U.S. city by population to go bankrupt with a filing in June amid rising labor, pension and retiree health costs. San Bernardino (13545MF), a city of about 213,000 people 60 miles east of Los Angeles, sought court protection Aug. 1. Fresno officials have repeatedly said they don’t intend to follow the path taken by those cities. To contact the reporter on this story: Michael B. Marois in Sacramento at mmarois@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Stephen Merelman at smerelman@bloomberg.net ©2013 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Made in NYC Fresno Mayor Orders Worker Cuts to Fend Off Insolvency - Businessweek http://www.businessweek.com/printer/articles/429802?type=bloomberg 1 of 1 2/15/2013 11:03 AM Week of February 18_2013_Work Schedule Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION – WORK SCHEDULE Week of Feb. 18, 2013 – Feb. 22, 2013 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Reconstructing streets in the industrial area south of White Ln between Stine Rd & Gosford Rd (weather permitting) Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Demolition of swimming pool at Siemon Park Video inspection of City owned Sewer & Storm lines to evaluate condition of pipes Miscellaneous concrete repairs throughout the city Crack Sealing on Olive Dr., Hageman, and Coffee (weather permitting) Repairing curb & gutter at various bus stops on major streets Replacing several catch basin tops where lids have been stolen throughout the city 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. THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Week of February 18_2013_Work Schedule Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, February 18, 2013 No sweeping service due to Holiday. Tuesday, February 19, 2013 Between Panama Lane & Woodmere Dr. – Ashe Rd. & Stine Rd. Between District Blvd. & Panama Ln. -- Gosford Rd. & Ashe Rd. Between Akers Rd. & Phyllis St. – Harris Rd. & Panama Ln. City areas between Akers Rd. & Stine Rd. – Harris Rd. & Panama Ln. Cul-De-Sacs on the north side of Angela Wy., between Manely Ct. & Cris Ct. Between Oswell Park Dr. & Brundage Ln. – Oswell St. & Leeta St. Wednesday, February 20, 2013 City areas between Workman St. & Sterling Rd. – 58 Hwy. & 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, February 21, 2013 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, February 22, 2013 Between Etchart Rd. & Pavilion Dr. -- Calloway Dr., west to the canal boundary. Between Norris Rd. & Olive Dr. – Calloway Dr. & Coffee Rd. Between Olive Dr. & Noriega Rd. – Calloway Dr. & Verdugo Ln. City areas between Coffee Rd./Riverlakes ext. & Allen Rd. – Hageman Rd. & Rosedale Hwy. City areas between Pacheco Rd. & Harris Rd. – Stine Rd. & Wible Rd. We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Department of Recreation and Parks Date: February 11, 2013 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks Subject: January 2013 Monthly Report ADMINISTRATION:  January Monthly Total Attendance: 10,272 (Includes all programs, reservations and volunteers combined for the month.) o Special Event Reservations: o January 20th – Beach Park, Clubes de Peru, Soccer – 200 Guests o January 26th – Yokuts Park, Bakersfield Track Club Run – 300 Guests Total Attendance: 1,758 – Reservations/Special Events AQUATICS: o Total attendance for City aquatic programming is 3,145 which is a 10.2% increase as compared to the same time last year of 2,855. • Lap Swimming: o Attendance decreased by 18% (281) swimmers compared to last year. • 100 Mile Club: o The 100 mile lap swim club is currently made up of 337 active members. The club has swum a combined total of 110,572 miles. One year ago the club had swum a total of 89,613 miles. • Kern High School Swimming: o Kern High School District (KHSD) swimming and diving teams began their 2013 season on January 28th. The KHSD is utilizing McMurtrey, Silver Creek, and Jefferson Pools. Bakersfield, Golden Valley, Liberty and West High Schools all use the McMurtrey Aquatics Center for practice. • Jefferson Pool: o Foothill and Mira Monte High School’s swim teams’ attendance at Jefferson Pool for the month of January totaled 277 visitors. • Silver Creek Pool: o Stockdale and Ridgeview High School’s swim teams attendance at Silver Creek Pool for the month of January totaled 301 Visitors. We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS JANUARY MONTHLY REPORT PAGE TWO • Polar Bear Plunge: o This year’s Polar Bear Plunge had 163 participants including Mayor Harvey Hall, taking the icy plunge to bring in the New Year. Over 357 people attended the event and cheered those taking the plunge. o Donation Total: o $376.71 Other Aquatic News: o Some of the activities taking place at City pools this winter include: o Lap Swimming o 100 Mile Club o Diving o CPR Classes o High School Swimming & Diving o Waterpark Lifeguard Courses o SCUBA o Water Walking • Total Attendance: 3,145 ATHLETICS: o Adult, Youth, Fitness and Adaptive Programs total attendance for the month of January was 848. There is a significant increase from last year’s monthly attendance of zero due to the introduction of a new Adaptive Basketball League. • Adaptive Programming: o Staff developed and implemented an exciting new Adaptive Basketball League this month. The league is made up of seven teams, with games held weekly throughout the months of January and February. Modeled after the Departments Adaptive Softball League, the program has proven to be a tremendous success! o Other Athletics & Adaptive Programming News: o Some of the activities staff are currently working on include: o ASA Umpire Certification Training o Adaptive Basketball League o Spring Adult Softball League o Valentine’s Day Run 10K & 5K o Softball Tournament Rentals o St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Walk o CSUB Health Presentation Series o ASA National Tournament o T-Ball & Pee Wee T-Ball o Summer Brochure Information o Pee Wee Sports o Tennis Classes o League of Dreams – Adaptive T-Ball Total Attendance: 848 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMUNITY CENTER: o Overall attendance for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center was 3,697. Attendance was up 4.8% from last January. The increase was due to the Adaptive Basketball Class that was implemented. We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS JANUARY MONTHLY REPORT PAGE THREE Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration o There were 400 Participants at the breakfast celebration. o The program included public speakers, music and a video about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. o A free youth luncheon was provided to 100 participants at the celebration. o Volunteer/Donation Total: $670 Total Attendance: 3,697 SILVER CREEK COMMUNITY CENTER/SAUNDERS MULTI-USE FACILITY: Silver Creek Community Center Total attendance for Silver Creek Community Center was 596, compared to 838 in 2012. There were no rentals for Silver Creek Community Center in January. After School Fun • Attendance: Daily Average: 14 Monthly: 308 • Saunders Recreational Facility o Total overall attendance for the Saunders Recreational Facility was 228 as compared to last year of 320. There were no rentals for the Saunders Recreational Facility. o Hockey Program o Revenue for current League reported in December 2012 – 38 registered. o Soccer o New season delayed until February - no activity in January • Total Revenue/Silver Creek & Saunders o Silver Creek $1,941.00 • Total Attendance for Silver Creek & Saunders Recreational Facility : 824 PARKS: Aera Park o Prepped Aera Park/parking lot for opening day baseball on February 23, 2013. All red curbs were painted and all parking lot lights were re-lamped (42). New flags were installed at entrance on January 30, 2013. Mesa Marin o Representatives of Nishko and Gail Materials met Recreation and Parks staff at Mesa Marin on January 2nd to discuss infield soil conditions and recommendations. Nishko maintains the complex for the City and Gail Materials is the provider of infield mix options. We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS JANUARY MONTHLY REPORT PAGE FOUR It was decided to add a modest amount of the current infield mix plus 1.25-1.5 tons of calcine clay as a top dressing to the infields and increase irrigation in an effort to retain top level playability. o Nishko completed the infield prep project on January 18th. City crews surveyed the fields to re-establish the base paths on January 24th. Parks staff members began setting bases, pitcher’s mounds and “jox boxes” on January 24th and anticipate completing this task by the first week in February. Garces Circle o A dedication on January 10th of landscape and lighting surrounding the Father Garces statue at the Garces Circle on Chester Avenue featured representatives from the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee (KBB) who completed the improvements. John Enriquez spearheaded a local group of volunteers in adding two spotlights, shining upon the Father Garces statue and a planter surrounding the perimeter of the statue. KBB secured a $10,000 grant from the Bakersfield Californian to install and maintain the improvements. Planz Park o Public Works Department started demolition of Planz Park pool for future Skate Park. o Wrapped Truxtun Lake trees along shoreline with green plastic construction fencing due to numerous trees damaged by the return of the beaver. No activity seen since Monday, 1/28/13. Approximately 65 trees were affected. o Began large trimming and tree pruning project with the tree department on Grand Lakes Avenue from Ming Avenue to Coram Drive, including Chamber Blvd and Mountain Vista Drive on January 14, 2013. o On January 23, 2013 irrigation to streetscapes and median islands in the Grand Lakes area was activated to Maxicom. o Trees Trimmed: 91 Clearance: 530 Removals: 17 o Service Tickets received: 198 Completed: 200 UPCOMING/ONGOING EVENTS: • Valentine’s Run for your Heart 5K & 10K Run/Walk – February 9th at 9am Cal State Bakersfield.