HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/14/2020CC
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
August 14, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information
COVID-19 Update
On Wednesday, August 12, the City Council unanimously approved $33.5 million in
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for a number of
programs and projects related to the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Included in that funding plan is $10 million for a Small Business Grant program to
provide the opportunity for forgivable loans to support small businesses and non-
profits with payroll and operating costs. Businesses that did not receive support
through the Paycheck Protection Program or the Kern Recovers program would be
the focus of this new program.
There is also a $5 million allocation to help protect City residents and property owners
from eviction. The City is partnering with the Kern Housing Authority on this Rental
Assistance program which will provide rental and/or mortgage support to tenants
and property owners impacted by the pandemic. It is a preventative investment to
help individuals or families maintain stable housing – and avoid becoming homeless
– and to help property owners pay their obligations as well.
Because there are new requirements due to the threat of COVID-19, the ongoing Brundage Lane Navigation Center project must also be modified to meet those
current and any future standards for mitigating the virus. Up to $2 million in CARES Act funding will be spent to meet those requirements, including modifications to bed
spacing, how air circulation is handled, meal preparation areas, and other areas of the facility that weren’t initially designed with COVID-19 specifications.
The final details of the programs outlined in the CARES Act funding plan are still being
finalized and the funds are not yet available for applications at this time. More details about their availability will come soon.
General Information
August 14, 2020
Page 2 Notable Items
The Bakersfield Fire Department conducted a three-day Swift Water Technician course for 20 probationary firefighters this week (right). The course
is taught by the Department’s own Professional State Certified Instructors.
The course provides rescuers with the
fundamentals of survival in moving
water and is recommended for anyone
who may be called upon to effect in-
water rescues. The students learn about
hydrology (the study of water on and
beneath the earth’s surface), river classifications, site control, and scene
management. Practical skills include self-rescue, swift-water swimming and the
fundamentals of shore, boat and in-water rescues. Additionally, the students are
introduced to the basics of boat handling and the fundamentals of rope rescue
including mechanical advantage and anchor systems.
The Bakersfield Police Department issued a scam alert warning this week after
receiving multiple reports of community members receiving threatening text
messages from non-local area codes. The messages include some publicly-
available personal information about the victim, as well as threatening language
and a disturbing image. The message also demands a payment from the victim or
the victim will be harmed.
The BPD confirms this is a scam and reminds everyone to never give out bank
account or other personal information, or conduct any wire transfers if you receive
such a message.
The Bakersfield Animal Care Center’s annual Clear the Shelters event continues, and
this year it is online only! Anyone interested in adopting a pet can do so here.
Adoptions are free until August 29.
Donations can be made online here.
Traffic Advisories
Final paving operations begin on 24th Street
Paving work within the commercial section of the 24th Street corridor has been
completed so crews will began paving the 24th Street/Oak Street intersection on
Thursday, August 13.
Paving operations will continue on 24th Street next week, Monday, August 17 through
Thursday, August 20. Paving crews will be working on the section between Oak Street
General Information
August 14, 2020
Page 3
and B Street/Bay Street from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., each day. At least one lane will remain open to eastbound and westbound traffic while work is underway.
This will complete roadway paving for the 24th Street Improvement Project. Various work
items, such as raising manholes, will follow and final roadway striping is expected to be completed by early September.
Motorists are encouraged to avoid the work area or allow extra time to reach their
destinations if they must travel through this section of the corridor during these time periods.
This schedule may be changed without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Please
slow down and watch for construction workers and equipment while driving through the work zone. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any inconvenience
this work may cause the traveling public.
Median modification: Dual left turn lane construction at Ming Avenue and Stine Road
intersection
On Aug. 17, 2020, the City of Bakersfield will begin a project to modify the medians to
create dual left turn lanes at the Ming Avenue and Stine Road intersection.
During the median modification, the eastbound and westbound No. 1 lanes (the left-
most lanes) and turn pockets on Ming Avenue will be closed at the Stine Road
intersection. However, two through lanes on Ming Avenue, and all lanes on Stine Road,
will be open. Traffic delays are expected during this project, so drivers are advised to use
caution and to take alternate routes or allow extra travel time through this area.
The work impacting traffic on this project is scheduled to be complete by late September
2020.
Please note: Construction work may be postponed and rescheduled without notice due
to inclement weather or other unforeseen conditions. The City thanks the public for their
patience during the construction of these improvements.
For more information on this project, please contact Roy Campos, Construction
Superintendent for the City of Bakersfield, at 661-326-3049. Reports
Recreation & Parks Department Monthly Report, July 2020. Events
Bakersfield Animal Care Center’s annual Clear the Shelters event continues for the
month of August. This event is ONLINE ONLY.
BAKERSFIELD POLICE
DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Greg Terry, Chief of Police
Robert Pair, Sergeant
Public Information Officer
661-326-3803
rpair@bakersfieldpd.us
The Bakersfield Police Department partners with our community to protect
the lives and property of the people we serve.
Compassion • Accountability • Professionalism
For Immediate Release August 13, 2020
The Bakersfield Police Department has received several reports regarding community
members receiving text messages from non-local area codes. The text messages
provide the address and name of the victim, and accuse the recipient of being involved
in the solicitation of prostitution. The scammer then sends a photograph of graphic
violent content and threatens the receiver that unless the scammer is paid, that the
victim and their family will be killed.
The information that is provided by the scammer is often easily obtained via public
records and internet searches. Based upon the number of reports, and different phone
numbers associated with the same specific threats, this is a scam. A reverse image
search of the graphic photograph reveals it has been present on the internet since
2016 and originates from outside of the United States.
The public is urged to never provide any bank account information, personal identifying
information, or conduct wire transfers if you are approached in a similar fashion.
Anyone who has been the victim of this scam can make an online report at the
Bakersfield Police Department portal located at www.bakersfieldcity.us.
You can now send an anonymous tip to the Bakersfield Police Department. Access the “Submit an
Anonymous Tip” link on the Bakersfield Police Department homepage (www.bakersfieldpd.us) from your
computer or internet enabled mobile device. The tip, which can include photographs and video, is sent to the
police department and the sender remains completely anonymous. The same anonymous information can be
sent by accessing www.p3tips.com.
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Department of Recreation and Parks
Date: August 12, 2020
To: Christian Clegg, City Manager
From: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks
Subject: 2020 July Monthly Report
ADMINISTRATION
July Summary Highlights: Thank you to the community for continued adherence to the health guidelines. Staff is
doing everything possible to keep areas clean for park and pool users. Public Safety & Vital Services
• McKee Rd. woodchip installation project.
• Secured baseball diamond fields to prevent use per CDC Guidelines for COVID-19.
• Restroom door modification at Windsor Park due to vandalism.
• Overhead shade canopy replacement project at Campus Park South.
• Dry brush and tumbleweed clean-up on Wible Rd.
• Tumble weed and brush clean up at Pacheco Rd.
• Illegal encampment and trash clean-up California Ave. sump.
• Ground work preparation for the new sod installation project on
California Ave. median.
• A section of block wall replacement at Panama Ln. & Wible Rd.
• Illegal encampment clean-up at the Coffee Rd. riverbank area.
• Storage room door security modification at Patriots Park due to
vandalism.
• Removal and installation of vandalized toilet at Martin Luther King Park.
• Security door modification to both restroom doors due to vandalism at
Planz Park.
• Mulch installation project on the Stockdale Hwy. median.
• New sod installation on California Ave. median.
• Section replacement of the block wall on Wible Rd east side, north of
Panama Ln.
Department of Recreation and Parks July 2020 Monthly Report Page 2
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
CIP/CDBG Project Updates:
• McMurtrey Aquatic Center Pool Filter Renovation Project – California Waters has completed the warranty repairs noted from the on-site
meeting. National Aquatic Service (NAS) will complete warranty repairs to the Automatic Priority valve when parts arrive.
• Jefferson Park Pool Filter Renovation Project – California Waters has completed the warranty repairs noted in the warranty walk through.
The repairs were inspected by City staff prior to reconnection of the filtration system for proper alignment to the existing 6” PVC piping. The
filtration system was placed back into service and checked for leaks and proper operation. Wall Repairs: In Progress:
1. Centennial Plaza Fountain - Horse Statue
2. River Run & Mountain Park Drive (NW & NE corner Monument Sign)
3. Lake Arthur Drive & Calloway Dr. (Palisade Monument Sign)
4. NW corner of 7600 block of Spring Creek Loop @ Clear Mist Way
5. NW corner of Ming Avenue & Grand Lakes & NW corner Ming Avenue
& Old River Road. (Raised planter – missing bricks)
Completed:
1. 5900 Wilson Road (Castle Park half wall)*
2. Ellis Ave & Ashe Road (West Wall)*
3. Calloway Drive @ Olive Drive (N/W corner-canal wall)*
4. S/W & N/W corner of South H. and Isile Ave*
5. Ashe Rd & Club View Dr. (Eastern Pre-Cast Wall)* PARKS UPDATES
Area 2
• Calcot:
• Adjusted irrigation and spread seed on front lawn.
• Contractors trimmed front trees.
• Cleaned, trimmed and removed dead shrubs and made
irrigation repairs.
• 34th Street:
o Staff trimmed and cleared weeds on the medians near union.
• Chester Ave:
o Trimmed and cleared weeds on the medians north of 34th St.
o Trimmed and cleared weeds on the medians north of Truxtun
Ave.
Department of Recreation and Parks July 2020 Monthly Report Page 3
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
• Amtrak:
o Assisted in clearing weeds along the railroad tracks from the
Marriott to the Courthouse. Area 3
• On 7/1/20 staff removed tumble weeds on the West Side Parkway center divider on both east and westbound sides between Mohawk St. and
Calloway Dr. Area 4
• Campus Park South – installed new replacement canopy at the playground area located on the north side. Area 6
• San Miguel Grove Clean Up – A total of 83,360 pounds of green waste was
removed in the month of July.
• Stockdale/Renfro Trimming – The southwest corner was trimmed and a total
of 6,880 pounds of green waste was removed from the area
• Kern River Parkway – Flail mowing took place from Mohawk to highway 99
along the multi-use path. Staff pushed back overgrowth and weeds on
both sides along that section in the month of July.
• Multiple washouts on the bike path East of Manor. This was caused by
County irrigation issues at Panorama bluffs park. County staff assisted with
clean-up. Trimming:
• Trees Trimmed: 86 Clearance: 42 Removals: 7 RECREATION
Total monthly attendance for all programs, reservations and volunteers combined for the
month of July totaled 2,384 as compared to last year’s total of 96,519.
Aquatics
Staff developed health and safety protocols during COVID-19 that met California and Kern County Public Health Department, CDC, and
American Red Cross re-opening guidelines. Numerous safety trainings were conducted in the month of July so that City pools could re-open for
programming. Aquatics reopened lap swimming program at McMurtrey Aquatic Center on July 6th, started a new family lap swim option on
Saturdays, and provided youth swim clinics at Jefferson, McMurtrey, and Silver Creek Pools.
Department of Recreation and Parks July 2020 Monthly Report Page 4
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Aquatic Programming & Attendance Overall aquatics monthly attendance for July was: 2,384; McMurtrey
Aquatic Center monthly attendance for July was: 2,246. Lap Swimming:
o Changes were made to the lap swimming program to meet State
and County guidelines and to provide the safest environment for participants and employees. Key changes include: offering 50-
minute swim times that must be reserved in advance, limiting 1 swimmer per lane (unless from the same household), locker room
access is limited to bathrooms and hand washing, no access to lockers or indoor showers, time built in between programs for extra
disinfection. A total of 7 time slots are available Monday through Thursday, 5 time slots on Fridays and 3 time slots on Saturdays. A
new Family Lap swim option is available Saturdays at 11 a.m.
together.
o Total Lap Swim Visits for July: 1,848
Youth Swim Clinics
o This program is designed for proficient swimmers, ages 6-17 years,
and provides participants with stroke development and daily
workout plans. Participants are distanced by allowing only one
child per lane and the instructor is distanced 6 feet from
participants.
o Total Swim Clinic Participants for July: 56 (Jefferson: 6, McMurtrey:
16 and Silver Creek: 34)
Athletics
• Programming was nonexistent in July as a result of COVID-19 related
closures. Sports staff spent the month of July working on parks assignments
throughout the department.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center
• Due to COVID-19, participants are not permitted in the center at this time.
• Superintendent of Schools Free Meal Program:
• 525 Grab N Go meals were distributed to children ages 2-18, Monday
through Friday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
• #RectheHouse – Staff recorded different videos showcasing a variety of
games/activities children can do at home, within guidelines of social
distancing. Saunders Recreational Facility/Silver Creek Community Center
• Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Silver Creek and Saunders were closed to the
public the entire month of July. Upcoming/Ongoing Events:
• For additional activities and events offered through the Recreation and Parks
Department, please visit the website at www.bakersfieldparks.us.
Department of Recreation and Parks July 2020 Monthly Report Page 5
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Campus Park South Playground Canopy Replacement
Pacheco Road Dry Brush and Tumble Weed Cleanup
Department of Recreation and Parks July 2020 Monthly Report Page 6
We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships.
Stockdale Hwy Median Mulch Project