HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.10.2020CC
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
April 10, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information
COVID-19 Updates
The City continues to implement precautionary measures aimed at reducing the
potential for exposure to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and this weekend, we are
asking that the public refrain from gathering in City parks for the Easter holiday.
We realize that such gatherings are a tradition for many Bakersfield families, but we
hope everyone understands the health risks associated with large public gatherings
right now.
This weekend is typically one of the busiest for City parks each year.
However, the Kern County Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease
Control have recommended the public to stay home as much as possible, to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people and to practice social distancing. Social distancing
includes remaining at least six feet from other people when in public.
That is why the City, in partnership with the County of Kern and North of the River, has decided to close all park facilities for both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The
closure includes all restrooms at the parks as well.
The City understands this is a difficult time for all and apologizes for any inconvenience. But it could be a time for creating new traditions as well.
Mayor Karen Goh and Recreation & Parks Director Dianne Hoover helped produce a
pair of videos this week encouraging residents to stay home for Easter weekend.
We’re in this together and we’ll get through this together.
Save Lives. Stay Home.
General Information April 10, 2020 Page 2
City Council, on Wednesday, April 8, approved a relief proposal that will allow the deferment of some fees and taxes for local businesses during the COVID-19
pandemic.
Many local businesses have been experiencing hardships financially due to the current economic environment, either because they are considered “nonessential”
and are closed, or they are seeing less revenue because potential customers are staying home. The City hopes these deferments of payments will help those businesses
survive the current health crisis a little easier.
The actions approved by the unanimous 7-0 vote can be found here.
Essential
services such
as police and
fire response as
well as sewer,
trash and
recycling, and
water
continue to
operate for the
residents of the
City. Bakersfield Fire Station 7’s crew (right) is
proud to serve the citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week during this difficult time.
Visit Bakersfield’s coloring contest for kids is a hit! Each week, Visit Bakersfield is
featuring a local landmark to color with a valuable prize at a local business given to the winner. The contest kicked off last week with the Historic Fox Theater and the
winner received a two-hour river rafting tour at River’s End Rafting, valued at $180. This week’s contest features the Big Shoe shoe repair building and the winner will receive
three sessions for a family of four at Respawn, valued at $170. The contest has generated the largest number of engagements ever on Visit Bakersfield’s social
media platforms. You can follow along here. Notable Items
This week the City has re-launched its “Don’t Create a Monster – Think Before you
Flush” public awareness campaign. This campaign was first launched last year to
remind residents to only flush toilet paper down the toilet.
Things other than toilet paper and waste can cause problems for the City’s
wastewater treatment equipment, including costly damages and clogs. That includes
products that are labeled as “flushable.” They are NOT as they do not break down
General Information April 10, 2020 Page 3
the same way as toilet paper and can eventually stress the wastewater systems.
The public will soon see related billboards going up around town starting the week of April 13. The City has also included tips for residents on how to keep their pipes clean
and working properly.
Although its visitor center is temporarily closed, Visit Bakersfield continues to roll out its
new logo. The latest additions
appear on the Bakersfield Visitor
Center and on the drive approach
to the Amtrak station.
Most visible is the addition of
Bakersfield’s new logo on a
prominent spot on the west side of
the visitor center (right,
above). This large graphic can be
seen from Truxtun Avenue and “S”
Street, and helps raise the visitor
center’s visibility to passersby. In
addition, new graphics have been installed on
the visitor center’s doors.
Nearby, the sign in the “S” Street median has been updated to greet those arriving and
departing from the Bakersfield Amtrak station and the Beale Memorial Library (right, below).
Elite Signs & Promotions handled the design and
installation.
Surveyors recently
backpacked into the high country
to take snow measurements on the
various snow courses tied to the
Kern River watershed (left).
Recent local rain put us over 100%
of average for Bakersfield rain. To
date we have received 6.91 inches
of rain, compared to the annual
average of 6.47 inches. The Kern
River estimated yield has
increased to around 65% currently.
General Information April 10, 2020 Page 4
The cost for the survey is shared four ways between the City of Bakersfield, Kern Delta Water District, North Kern Water Storage District, and Buena Vista Water Storage
District.
This week’s steady rains have helped as crews have completed a $1.5 million replanting project a month ahead of schedule! In October, the Recreation & Parks
Department, along with contractors American Hydrotech, Inc. and Kern Sprinkler Landscaping, Inc., began replanting thousands of trees and shrubbery, replacing
plant life that had been removed or died during the five years of drought.
Funded by the Public Safety & Vital Services Measure (Measure N), this project was
scheduled for completion in May. All told, 39,259 shrubs were planted through this
project, helping to beautify the City’s streetscapes and neighborhood entryways.
The species of plants that were selected were chosen for their low-water use
and to best fit the aesthetic of where they are being planted. This week’s rains
will help the plants establish themselves in their new locations.
Traffic Advisories
Reconstruction of canal culvert on McCutchen Road delayed
On Monday, April 6, the City of Bakersfield began a project to reconstruct the canal
culvert under McCutchen Road at the Stine Canal located between Old River Road and
Gosford Road. Due to the heavy rains, completion of this work was delayed which has required the completion date to be extended.
During the reconstruction of the canal culvert and associated roadway, McCutchen
Road will be closed to through traffic between Old River Road and Gosford Road from 7 a.m. Monday, April 6 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 17. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes
during this time.
The City thanks the public for their patience during the improvements.
Daytime traffic control and nighttime closures on Real Road
Drainage work will require traffic control on Real Road, between Stockdale Highway and
Elcia Drive, Monday, April 13 through Friday, April 17. Flagging personnel will need to stop traffic for up to five minutes between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day. (This
work was rescheduled due to rain.) Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes or allow extra time to reach their destinations if they must travel through this area while work
is underway.
The contractor also plans to begin removing falsework from the recently completed
bridge crossing Real Road on Thursday night, April 16. Falsework removal is expected to
continue Friday, April 17, Monday, April 20, and Tuesday, April 21. Real Road will be closed
between Stockdale Highway and Elcia Drive from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. Motorists
General Information April 10, 2020 Page 5
can use Wible Road to travel between Stockdale Highway and Ming Avenue.
Work may be cancelled or rescheduled without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Please slow down and pay attention to construction workers and
equipment. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any inconvenience this work may cause the traveling public. Reports
Recreation & Parks Department’s monthly report for March 2020.
Bakersfield Homeless Navigation Center Community Update Newsletter for April. Event Notifications
The April low-cost pet vaccination clinic – originally set for Saturday, April 11 at
Wilson Park – has been CANCELED in order to help prevent the spread of and
possible exposure to COVID-19 (the coronavirus).
Gathering in Kern County Parks Discouraged During Easter Weekend to Reduce Exposure to COVID-19
Contact: Michelle Corson Public Relations Officer (661) 868-0288 or (661) 304-7766
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2020 Kern County, CA – The Kern County Public Health Services Department reminds Kern County residents that
facilities and amenities, including restrooms, within all parks in Kern County and the City of Bakersfield will be closed Easter weekend and therefore we discourage the use of parks for Easter gatherings. Traditionally, these are two of the busiest days of the year for local parks and they attract large crowds of people gathering to celebrate the holiday. On March 16, 2020, the California Department of Public Health issued guidance requiring the cancelling of gatherings of any size to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19. “My concern is that we have not seen the worst of COVID-19 in Kern County and reminding our community that park facilities and amenities are closed and that gatherings within our parks should be discouraged is a
necessary measure to reduce the number of people that could be exposed to COVID-19,” said Matt Constantine, Director of Kern County Public Health Services. While we understand that gatherings in public parks is a tradition for many Kern County families for the Easter
holiday, we request residents find other ways to celebrate this year. The following are some alternatives:
• Try an online church service. Kern County Libraries have their Wi-Fi on and available. Stay in your car in the parking lot and catch the service from your phone, tablet or laptop. Find a list of locations here.
• You can still dye eggs and if eggs are too hard to come by, try painting landscape rocks and hiding them in the yard.
• Host a neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. Have your kids color their eggs on paper and place them in the windows.
• Take a virtual trip to a National Park:
• Kanai Fjords National Park, Alaska
• Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
For more information, visit www.kernpublichealth.com. ###
Reunión Desaprobada en los Parques del Condado de Kern Durante el Fin de Semana de Pascua para Reducir la Exposición a COVID-19
Contacto: Michelle Corson Public Relations Officer (661) 868-0288 or (661) 304-7766
PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA:
Abril 7, 2020
Condado de Kern, CA - El Departamento de Servicios de Salud Pública del Condado de Kern recuerda a los residentes del Condado de Kern que las instalaciones y servicios, incluidos los baños, dentro de todos los parques en el Condado de Kern y la Ciudad de Bakersfield estarán cerrados el fin de semana de Pascua y, por lo tanto, desaconsejamos el uso de parques para reuniones de Pascua. Tradicionalmente, estos son dos de los días más ocupados del año para los parques locales y atraen a grandes multitudes de personas que se reúnen para celebrar los días festivos . El 16 de Marzo de 2020, el Departamento de Salud Pública de California emitió una guía que requiere la cancelación de reuniones de cualquier tamaño para proteger la salud pública y retrasar la propagación de COVID-19.
“Mi preocupación es que no hemos visto lo peor de COVID-19 en el condado de Kern y recordarle a nuestra comunidad que las instalaciones y los servicios del parque están cerrados y que las reuniones dentro de nuestros parques deben desalentarse es una medida necesaria para reducir la cantidad de personas que podrían exponerse a COVID-19,” dijo Matt Constantine, Director de los Servicios de Salud Pública del Condado de Kern.
Mientras entendemos que las reuniones en parques públicos son una tradición para muchas familias del condado de Kern para los días festivos de Pascua, le pedimos a los residentes que encuentren otras formas de celebrar este año. Las siguientes son algunas alternativas:
•Intente un servicio religioso en línea. Las bibliotecas del condado de Kern tienen su Wi-Fi activado y
disponible. Permanezca en su automóvil en el estacionamiento y obtenga el servicio desde su teléfono, tableta o computadora portátil. Encuentre una lista de ubicaciones aquí.
•Todavía puede teñir los huevos y si los huevos son demasiado difíciles de conseguir, intente pintar paisajes en rocas y ocultarlas en el patio.
•Organize una búsqueda de huevos de Pascua en el vecindario. Haga que sus hijos coloreen sus huevos en papel y los coloquen en las ventanas.
•Haga un viaje virtual a un parque nacional:
•Kanai Fjords National Park, Alaska
•Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
•Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Para más información visite www.kernpublichealth.com.
###
City Manager’s Office
1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
661-326-3751 FAX: 661-324-1850
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Joe Conroy
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Public Information Officer (661) 326-3074 JConroy@bakersfieldcity.us
DON’T CREATE A MONSTER – THINK BEFORE YOU FLUSH!
The City of Bakersfield is re-launching its “Don’t Create a Monster – Think Before You
Flush” public outreach campaign to help the City’s Public Works Department
combat the problem of clogged sewer lines.
The public will soon see billboards around town reminding them about what should NOT be flushed.
Wipes used for personal hygiene, housecleaning, changing diapers and more can
cause major problems for the City’s sewer and wastewater treatment systems. Many
of these products are labeled as “flushable,” but they are NOT.
These products do not break down the same way toilet paper does, and as a result,
put stress on the sewer and treatment equipment, causing damage, and leading
cities to spend thousands of dollars on premature equipment repair and
replacement.
While the billboards were previously planned, this is also a timely reminder as stores
are short on toilet paper supplies and many people are looking for alternatives during
the COVID-19 health crisis.
The “Don’t Create a Monster – Think Before You Flush” campaign is an effort to
remind residents to only flush toilet paper.
Members of the media should visit www.CantFlush.US for more information, printable
resources and videos. B-roll footage from two City lift stations is available there as
well, and is free to use for broadcast or online videos as needed. Please courtesy
“City of Bakersfield.”
###
City Manager’s Office
1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
661-326-3751 FAX: 661-324-1850
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Joe Conroy
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 Public Information Officer (661) 326-3074 JConroy@bakersfieldcity.us
DON’T CREATE A MONSTER – THINK BEFORE YOU FLUSH! UNFLUSHABLE ITEMS AND TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PIPES SAFE
The following products are commonly flushed down the toilet and wind up in the City’s sewer
system. Flushing these so-called “flushable” products can clog pipes, break pumps and
cause sanitary sewer overflows, which, in addition to causing quite a mess, also lead to
thousands of dollars in repairs.
Let’s work together to keep costly clogs out of our homes, apartments, schools, and
businesses.
DO NOT FLUSH THESE ITEMS
• Cotton swabs
• Dental floss
• Gloves
• Rags
• Cat litter
• Feminine hygiene products
• Condoms
• Paper towels
• Diapers
• Personal hygiene wipes, even if they’re labeled “flushable” TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PIPES SAFE
• Use baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids.
• Scrape grease and food scraps from plates, pots and pans, utensils, and grills into the
garbage.
• Keep fats, oil and grease out of our sewers and help keep our environment clean.
• Capture animal fats in a can and put all food waste and discards in a trash container.
###
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Department of Recreation and Parks
Date: April 8, 2020 To: Christian Clegg, City Manager From: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks
Subject: 2020 March Monthly Report ADMINISTRATION
March Summary Highlights:
Nothing is normal about this March monthly report from the Recreation and Parks
Department. In one month, we have closed all pools, community centers and sports
fields. Attendance records are sparse, if any, due to closures and trying to encourage
social distancing throughout the City of Bakersfield. Parks staff have been reassigned to
work four days a week, ten hours per shift in order to maintain one person per vehicle,
and yet try to keep parks clean when so many people want to be outside, in a park
with family, friends and neighbors. All amenities that can be removed have been
removed or cordoned off such as playgrounds, tennis nets, basketball hoops and sports
fields.
Thank you to the community for their understanding and doing their part to keep a
distance between each other, washing their hands and basically staying home. On the
other side of this pandemic, we will once again open pools, playgrounds and
community centers for positive programs and interactions with one another. In the
meantime, give a virtual “high five” to the parks staff for providing the park facilities
daily as essential to the physical and mental well-being of the Bakersfield citizens.
Department of Recreation and Parks March 2020 Monthly Report
Page 2
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Public Safety & Vital Services
• Homeless Encampment Cleanups:
o Along Riverbank at Kern River
• Assisted with Arbor Day Tree Planting at Patriots Park
• Completed new irrigation and landscaping installing in planters at BPD
Training Facility.
• Removed basketball hoops and nets within City Parks for Areas 2 & 5
due to COVID-19
• Pressured washed playgrounds within City Parks due to COVID-19
• Facility Worker Repairs:
o Bakersfield Museum of Art – to chain link fence
o Beach Park - to storage room door.
o Beale Park – to men’s restroom security gates.
o Grissom Park – to storage room doors.
o Jefferson Park:
To storage room door.
Completed installation of metal frame for pool office
window.
o Saunders Park- to storage room doors.
o Stiern Park – completed irrigation modifications due to new ADA improvements.
o Wayside Park – to restroom building doors.
o Weston Park- to security trash enclosures.
o Wilson Park – to storage room door. CIP/CDBG Project Updates:
• McMurtrey Aquatic Center Pool Filter Renovation Project – On March
9,10,11 California Waters returned to start on the change order for the relocation of the Influent and Effluent lines to the competition pool
filtration system. California Waters returned again on 3/31/20 to install drain-down line and valve for activity pool that was not replaced
when existing was removed.
• Lowell Park Picnic Shade Structure Rehab and ADA Improvements (CDBG) - Contractor S&B Sons began construction, augered holes for shade structure footings and shade structure posts/footings were
installed as well as structure roof framework. Shade fabric was installed
on structure roofs. Project has been completed.
• Stiern Park Safety Surfacing and ADA Improvements (CDBG) – Parking
lot reconstruction delayed due to minimal staff affected by current
Covid-19 restrictions.
• Sports Complex @ Mesa Marin (Basketball & Pickle Ball Courts) – The
acrylic surfacing for the basket ball court was removed and treated
and reinstalled. All lights have been installed and energized. Project
expected to be completed first week of April.
Department of Recreation and Parks March 2020 Monthly Report
Page 3
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Wall Repairs: In Progress:
1. Fountain Horse Statue
2. 8000 Block of Harris E/O Gosford
3. Westside of Wible Rd & South of Harris (Canal Wall)
4. 7500 Block of Olympia Dr & Telluride Ct.(Raised Planter)
5. 12300 Block of River Run Blvd E/O Sugar Leaf Ridge Dr.
6. Latina & Mohawk (S. San Lauren Sign-Stone Border trim down)
7. New Stine Rd & Ming Ave (North Side)
8. 2800 Block of Wilson Rd, near Elaine
9. Corner Jewetta Ave & Donerail Dr.
10. Ashe Rd & Club View Dr (Eastern Pre-Cast Wall)
Completed:
1. White Lane & W/O Rose Garden St. (South Wall)
2. 7900 Block of Ming Ave (Northwall West) of Calle Salida
3. 5600 Block of Wilson Rd & Westholme Blvd
4. 12600 Block of Chambers Blvd & W/O Edingal Ct (South Wall Caps)
5. (S/W Corner) Entrada Del Aqua Way & Pensigner Rd
6. Spring Creek Loop & Stone Ridge Way
7. 18th St & Q St S/E Corner (Planter)
8. 8900 Block of Norris Rd & Quail Creek (South Side) Reservations:
• 27 park reservations and an estimated 1,415 guests in attendance for
the month of March. PARKS UPDATES
SPECIAL PROJECTS: Area 2
• Staff pressured washed playground equipment at Jastro, Beale, Lowell, MLK,
Central, Siemon, University and Jefferson Parks.
• Staff removed tumbleweeds at Hwy 178 and at City in the Hills neighborhood.
• Staff removed tennis, pickle ball and volleyball nets from Area 2 parks.
Basketball rims were also removed from Parks.
• Softball tournament was held on March 5-7. Area 3
• On 3/17/20, staff participated in a cleanup effort located at the Stockdale dump site.
• On 3/27/20-3/28/20, staff secured all fenced tennis courts, removed all tennis nets, volleyball nets, basketball hoops and posted proper signage alerting
the public that these amenities are closed until further notice. Area 5
• Closed basketball and tennis courts on 3/27/20
• Closed playgrounds on 3/31/20.
Department of Recreation and Parks March 2020 Monthly Report
Page 4
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Area 6
• Staff along with help from other area staff replaced all of the woodchips in
all of the flowerbeds at TPRW. A total of 188 Cubic yards were used for this
project.
• Staff assisted area 3 with Mass trimming project.
• Staff removed basketball rims and Volleyball Nets on Friday 3/27/20. This was
done to discourage gatherings due to COVID 19 social distancing guidelines.
• All playground’s in area 6 were closed on Tuesday 3/31/20. City in the Hills Park
• Staff removed damaged rocks from the waterfall feature and regraded dirt
in preparation for new plants and irrigation. Contractors planted rosemary
shrubs and acacia ground cover as well as re-route existing irrigation to
ensure proper coverage. Woodchips were added.
Patriots Park
• Trees planted (11) on Arbor Day, 3/7/20. Westside Parkway
• On 3/4/20, staff along with the Bakersfield Homeless Center crew removed
tumbleweeds east and westbound center divider. They also removed
tumbleweeds on Allen Rd., Coffee Rd. and Calloway Dr. on and off ramps. Trimming:
• Trees Trimmed: 15 Clearance: 42 Removals: 2 RECREATION
Total monthly attendance for all programs, reservations and volunteers combined for the
month of March totaled 13,225 as compared to last year’s total of 46,499.
Aquatics/Attendance: 2,093
• 2,093 compared to 11,189 in 2019. The decrease is due to Kern High School District
(K.H.S.D.) not using Jefferson Pool for their swim program this year and the unexpected closures and cancelations made in response to COVID-19.
Department of Recreation and Parks March 2020 Monthly Report
Page 5
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
McMurtrey Aquatic Center:
• Monthly attendance at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center was 1,501
compared to last year’s 6,223. The decrease can be attributed to a 3-
day closure for the completion of the pool filter project and facility
closure as of March 13th in an effort to limit the community spread of
COVID-19.
• 100 Mile Club: is currently made up of 400 active members that swam
13,407 miles. The club has swum a combined total of 197,827 miles.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, lap swimming was temporarily
canceled as of March 13th.
• Kern High School District Rental: K.H.S.D. swim team practices took
place weekdays in March through March 12th; the rental was
postponed as of March 13th due to COVID-19 concerns. Kern High
School District has since canceled spring athletics and on-site
instruction to follow recommendations of Governor Gavin Newsom
and the California Department of Public Health. K.H.S.D. will be
charged for actual pool usage at McMurtrey Aquatic Center and will
be pro-rated for usage at Silver Creek Pool.
• 2020 Lifeguard Academy: The first lifeguard training of the 2020 spring
schedule was held on March 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, and 15th. A total of 17
participants successfully completed the training and earned lifeguard
certifications. Those seventeen participants are eligible for summer
employment. We anticipate needing 35 to 40 new Lifeguards for the
2020 summer season. Due to current precautions in place to address
COVID-19, it is unknown when we will be able to offer a second
lifeguard academy and when we will be able to begin the hiring
process. Aquatic Grant Activities
• First 5 Kern Grant Make A Splash - Program Coordinators were in the
process of scheduling parent water safety workshops for the spring; this
component of the grant has been put on hold for the time being. First
5 Kern has expressed their understanding with making adjustments to
grant milestones to adjust for COVID-19 concerns.
• American Red Cross Aquatic Centennial Program - The CPR class
funded through the ARC grant, scheduled for March 21st, was
cancelled due to COVID-19 precautionary measures.
• Kaiser Permanente Operation Splash -Staff were preparing for 2020
open enrollment opportunities for discounted swim lessons, free
Operation Splash Swim Passes, and discounted Junior Lifeguarding.
Aquatic grant registrations were originally scheduled to begin on
Friday, April 24th; staff are looking at alternate methods of registration
instead of the in-person option.
• USA Swimming Make A Splash Foundation – Staff was notified on
March 19th that the department was selected as a 2020 grant
recipient. This grant will provide 70 income-eligible youth, ages 3 to 17
with a $5 swim lessons in the 2020 calendar year. Dates of swim lessons
are to be determined.
Department of Recreation and Parks March 2020 Monthly Report
Page 6
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Silver Creek Pool
• Silver Creek Pool attendance for the month of March was 592.
• South and West High swim teams utilized Silver Creek Pool for their swim
practices and home swim meets up to March 12th. Kern High School
District will be prorated for usage at Silver Creek Pool since their rental
has been canceled for the remainder of the season.
• Maintenance staff discovered a leak in the heater at Silver Creek Pool.
Bids are being collected from contractors to address the issue. Aquatic Closures/Cancellations Related to COVID-19
• Spring break lifeguard academy
• Staff in-service trainings/ recertifications
• March and April CPR Classes
• First 5 Kern parent water safety workshops
• Kern High School District Rental
• Bakersfield Scuba Rental
• Lap Swimming, Water Walking, and Aqua Aerobics Classes
• On-line and on-site opening of registration for summer swim lessons,
grants, and swim team Athletics/Attendance: 7,424
• Total monthly attendance was 7,424 compared to 22,191. The
decrease is attributed to COVID-19 related restrictions.
Athletic Programming Adult Softball
• Team manager’s meeting was held on February 6 to inform all teams
of league rules and format. The spring season was underway with games being played Monday through Friday. The league was in week
30,766 31,070 28,036
21,194 22,191
7,424
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
Athletic & Adaptive Program Attendance
March
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Department of Recreation and Parks March 2020 Monthly Report
Page 7
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
one of the season, however, remaining games were cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. All 144 registered teams were
refunded.
Softball Tournaments
• One tournament was held this month with a total of 24 teams
participating. This tournament was hosted by Bakersfield High School
and took place March 5-7 prior to any COVID-19 related guidelines
being in place.
• Multiple two-day tournaments were cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Adult Adaptive Softball League
• Spring season had a total of 10 registered teams. This was the largest
amount in the history of the program. Unfortunately, the program
didn’t take place due to COVID-19 restrictions. Refunds were
submitted for all teams T-Ball & Pee Wee Tee Ball
• Registration was set to close in mid-March but the season was
cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Refunds have been submitted.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center/Attendance: 2,118
• Attendance was down by 7% from last March due to COVID-19
restrictions.
Read Across America
• The Martin Luther King Jr. Center worked with the Teacher’s
Association to offer Read Across America at the center on March 2, 2020. Sixty (60) participants listened to stories, made a craft and
picked out a few books to take home.
Department of Recreation and Parks March 2020 Monthly Report
Page 8
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Children’s Meal Program
• The center is currently distributing meals to children ages 2-18 from 1:30
pm to 3:30 pm Monday – Friday. The meals are provided by the Kern
County Superintendent of Schools. Children are receiving lunch and
breakfast for the next day.
• All meals are distributed as a “grab and go” with no contact with staff
to ensure safety of participants. A total of 378 meals have been
distributed averaging 40-50 meals a day.
• Donations: $ 2,042.80 Saunders Recreational Facility/Attendance: 110
• Soccer Program: 4 Registered Teams / Total Attendance: 96
Silver Creek Community Center/Attendance: 65
Special Event Reservations/Attendance: 1,415
Upcoming/Ongoing Events:
• No events scheduled at this time due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• For additional activities and events offered through the Recreation and Parks
Department, please visit the website at www.bakersfieldparks.us. BPD Training Facility New landscaping and irrigation installation
Department of Recreation and Parks March 2020 Monthly Report
Page 9
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Stiern Park Irrigation Modification and Repairs Jefferson Park Storage Room Door Project
City Parks basketball hoop and net removal.3/27/2020
Artist rendering of the Bakersfield Homeless Navigation Center at 1900 E Brundage Ln.
Bakersfield Homeless Navigation Center Community Update
The new Bakersfield Homeless Navigation Center remains on
schedule to Open in Fall 2020
The City of Bakersfield is moving quickly to bring online the new
Bakersfield Homeless Navigation Center (BHNC), a state-of-the-art 150 bed emergency homeless shelter and resource center. Construction is expected to take less than one year. The new facility will be operated by an experienced professional and will initially open with approximately 50-beds, and will scale up to full capacity within the first several months.
The BHNC will be housed at the former headquarters of Calcot Ltd, located at East Brundage Lane at MLK Boulevard. The wonderfully preserved building includes an existing office space, a cafeteria and two warehouses. The warehouses will be converted to a men’s dorm, a women’s dorm and a day room (see page 2). The offices will be converted to medical and mental health clinics, and areas for counseling areas, group therapy and educational courses.
To ensure that the BHNC is a positive addition to surrounding neighborhood, the facility will be access-controlled and will accept clients on a “referral only” basis in partnership with other local service providers, public agencies and outreach services. This means clients will need to be referred and transported to and from the facility through an approved network. Once opened the facility will have 24-hour private security serviceson-site and in the surrounding 10-block radius.The BHNC’s 150 new beds are intended to be a part of the local network to service the homeless population of Bakersfield. The beds are in addition to 40 new beds at Mission of Kern County, 40 new beds at the Bakersfield Homeless Center and 150 new beds at the Kern County Navigation Center.
April 2020
Architect Continued Page 2
Founded in 1988, Mercy House provides housing and shelter services throughout Southern California
Architect Brian Nelson (left) and Public Works Director Nick Fidler (right) survey the shelter site
After completing an extensive review of four applications from professional organizations interested in operating the BHNC, the City is recommending that the City Council act on May 6, 2020 to enter into a contract with Orange County based Mercy House Living Centers (aka Mercy House).
Bakersfield Retains Expert
Homeless Shelter Architect Mercy House recommended as the
Organization to Manage New Shelter including the Counties of San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura and now in Bakersfield. The organization prides itself on maintaining a positive relationship in the neighborhoods in which they serve, strict financial controls, collaboration with stakeholders and measuring the number of individuals that are lifted out of the cycle of homelessness by being placed in permanent or supportive housing.
Homeless shelter architect Brian Nelson was brought on to assist with space planning, layout and conceptual renderings for the shelter project. Mr. Nelson has made it his life mission
Shelter Operator Continued Page 2
Draft layout of the Bakersfield Homeless Navigation Center
January 22, 2020 Council approves plan February 13, 2020 Distribution of RFP for shelter operator February 19, 2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement Signed March/April 2020 Site Inspections, Design Work, Site Repairs May 6, 2020 City Council consideration
of shelter operator
May 2020
Construction to begin
May 31, 2020
Calcot changes hands Fall 2020 Anticipated Opening
SHELTER TIMELINE Mercy House has served more than 87,000 individuals through a variety of programs ranging from homeless prevention, emergency services and shelters, rapid re-housing programs and permanent supportive housing to name a few. Mercy House currently operates 8 shelter facilities that each offer housing navigation, warm meals, showers, and resource referrals to help individuals get into permanent housing. Similar to the new BHNC, the Bridges at Kramer Place is a “referral only” 200-bed facility that offers 24-hour services for homeless adult men and women. Mercy hosts a Community Advisory Boards to facilitate community engagement. In the coming weeks, Mercy House will work with City staff to finalize the layout of the shelter and develop a shelter operating plan. Operation of the facility will include administration, routine maintenance and janitorial services, daily meals, laundry, transportation, coordination with partner referral entities, case
Shelter Operator Continued… management, housing navigation, job training, veteran’s services, animal care services and on-site/off-site private security. Medical and Mental Health services will be provided through contracts with the County of Kern Behavioral Health Department and the Kern Medical Hospital Authority. The City Manager’s Office will provide ongoing oversight and the City Council will vote to renew the contract periodically. Architect Continued… over the past 30 years, to help end homelessness. Nicknamed “the Homeless Architect,” Brian brings over 35 years of experience including the design of over 90 Rescue Mission shelters across the United States, Canada and Jamaica.
Visit us online at
www.bakersfieldcity.us/shelter