HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/28/2020CC
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
August 28, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information
COVID-19 Update
The City’s Recreation & Parks Department has been given guidance from the Kern
County Department of Public Health that outdoor basketball is allowed once again.
The department has started re-installing hoops on half courts around the City. The
guidelines from the state, as understood by KCDPH, allow for families and small groups
to play on the courts (see page 13, third bullet in link provided). So far, four hoops
have been re-installed at City-operated parks.
The City continues to encourage the public to follow all health and safety guidelines when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19 (also known as the novel
coronavirus), including washing your hands frequently and maintaining social distancing of at least six feet when possible. Notable Items
This week the City celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s certification. The amendment gave American
women the constitutional right to vote. Bakersfield marked the historic occasion by
participating in the nationwide Forward Into Light Campaign, which encouraged municipalities to
light up buildings and/or landmarks using purple
and gold, the colors of the women’s suffrage
movement.
Both City Hall North and the memorial tree at
Centennial Garden (right) were illuminated in
those colors on Wednesday, August 26, 100 years
exactly since the certification of the
General Information August 28, 2020 Page 2
amendment. Mayor Karen Goh and Ward 6 Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan also held a media event that night (right). They were joined by 2020 Mayor’s Trophy
recipient and first-time voter Alexsia Drulias, who spoke about the importance of the suffrage movement allowing her to
take part in the American civic process. The Mayor, along with our
Technology Services and General Services Departments, also
created a video message to
commemorate the date.
And a special thank you to Lighting
In Style for providing the lighting
elements at City Hall North!
The Bakersfield Animal Care Center’s annual Clear the Shelter event was quite
successful, even in the face of a pandemic as this year’s event was online only.
Through Wednesday, the shelter had processed 107 adoptions, with more expected to be completed by Saturday, the last day of the campaign.
Not only that, the shelter also received some great financial support through
donations thanks to our partnership with KGET-17. A pair of $1,000 donations from 4 Paws Pet Hospital and Today Cleaners have already been received, and
Greatergood.org will also match the donations, putting us to a total of $4,100!
The Recreation & Parks Department’s #RecTheHouse program continues to give families some fun activities to do while at home during the pandemic. This week, the
RecTheHouse video featured some special guests from the Human Resources Department! Shayla Collins, Adriana Peña, Tracy Sunkes, Olympia Frederick, and
Sandy Duncan all helped demonstrate this week’s activities!
Above: Alexsia
Drulias, a first-time voter and 2020 Mayor’s Trophy
recipient, speaks at
City Hall North, joined by
Councilmember
Jacquie Sullivan
(left) and Mayor Karen Goh (right). Left: City Hall North lit
up in the suffrage
movement colors.
General Information August 28, 2020 Page 3
Check out the video here and be sure to tag us in any pictures and videos with #RecTheHouse!
The Bakersfield Fire Department last week teamed up with Houchin Community Blood Bank on August 20 to collect blood to save lives. The department
registered 32 donors (right). The Fire and Police Departments are planning another drive at the end
of October.
City employees dealt with extreme heat and poor
air quality last week, many of them working in the
field on various projects, including the repairs to the
sinkhole that opened at the intersection of Chester
Avenue and Brundage Lane. We are very grateful
for all of our employees who provide excellent
services to the public, even in those hot
temperatures.
In an effort to show that gratefulness, Human Resources and Risk Management
worked to get Recreation & Parks crews, as well as workers in Water Resources,
General Services, Fleet and Streets divisions a well-earned break with some Kona Ice!
(see below) Thank you to
everyone for your hard work and
dedication!
The long-range forecast for Bakersfield indicates high temperatures through the first
week of September. For now, the Recreation and Parks Department will keep spray parks
open through Sunday, September 13, and will reassess based on weather.
Visit Bakersfield is the Presenting Sponsor for the
General Information August 28, 2020 Page 4
new Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure concert series at the Fox Theater (right), starting tonight, August 28! Every Friday night through November 27,
viewers can tune in to the concert using 23ABC’s OTT/APP stream, which is available on your phone, tablet, and/or television with an internet connection. It’s
also available on ROKU, Amazon Firestick, and Apple TV. Download the 23ABC app here. The show goes live at 7 p.m. each Friday, so make sure to subscribe to
push notifications in your device's settings to be alerted when the concert stream begins every Friday.
You can also watch each concert via 23ABC's Facebook page. Tonight’s concert
features The Aviators and Joey Kuntz. Please join Visit Bakersfield and show your
support for some of the best local entertainers as they perform at the Fox Theater in Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure presented by Visit Bakersfield!
Visit Bakersfield presented the second in its Webinar Wednesday series this week,
featuring presenters from four local outdoor recreational venues. Under the title “The
Sound of Nature,” the webinar featured presenters from the Kern River Parkway,
Panorama Vista Preserve, Wind Wolves Preserve and Carrizo Plain National
Monument. Visit Bakersfield’s Webinar Wednesday series aims to provide current
information about Bakersfield amenities and attractions to both travel partners and
local residents, especially those with children at home who are looking for ways to
discover the best of California’s ninth largest city. The week’s webinar attracted a
significantly larger viewership. A recording of the webinar is available on Visit
Bakersfield’s Facebook page. Traffic Advisories
Lane closures needed for 24th Street landscaping
Lane closures will be needed on 24th Street through the month of September as crews install trees and other landscape materials along the newly widened roadway. Both the
north and south sides of 24th Street, as well as the median, between Oak Street and B Street/Bay Street will be landscaped.
Motorists should anticipate lane closures in this area on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and
3:30 p.m. The closures will affect both directions of travel and will alternate as needed to
accommodate the work. At least one lane will remain open in each direction while work
is underway.
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.
General Information August 28, 2020 Page 5
Nighttime freeway lane and ramp closures
Nighttime lane closures have been scheduled for southbound State Route 99 between Belle Terrace and Ming Avenue from Sunday, August 30 through Thursday, September 3.
The two outside lanes are expected to be closed each night between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. The nighttime closures are needed to clear the slope on the west side of the
freeway in this area.
The westbound State Route 58-to-southbound State Route 99 connector ramp is
scheduled to be closed during nighttime hours from Sunday, August 30 through Tuesday,
September 1. The closures are expected to be in effect between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., each
night. The ramp closures are needed to remove the shoring required to widen the
westbound separation bridge.
The two outside lanes on northbound State Route 99 between State Route 58 and Ming
Avenue will also be closed on Sunday night from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. This closure is needed
to adjust the temporary concrete barrier rail along the roadway. One northbound lane
and the northbound State Route 99-to-eastbound State Route 58 connector ramp will
remain open while work is underway.
The contractor will also make adjustments to the temporary barrier rail along Wible Road
on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. This work will only take a few hours to complete,
but will require traffic control affecting both directions of traffic. Flagging personnel will
need to stop traffic for up to five minutes at a time during this operation.
Construction schedules may be changed without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any
inconvenience this work may cause the traveling public. Reports
Recreation & Parks Department Rapid Response Team Weekly Report. Events
The new Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure concert series kicks off at the Fox Theater tonight, August 28. Tonight’s concert starts at 7, featuring The Aviators and
Joey Kuntz. Download the 23ABC app here.
RRT Weekly Report
For the week of 8/18/20-8/22/20
City Council and or Public Requests
• None
City Source Requests
• None
Projects Completed by RRT
1. Mill Creek (Illegal encampment clean-up)
• RRT along with Code Enforcement cleaned up illegal encampments located
on the north west of Mill Creek House. Work began and was completed on
8/19/2020.
• 1 Site was addressed
• Trash was placed inside the rear loader that was provided by Code
Enforcement.
2. Bike path (Bollard Post)
• RRT repaired and replaced 4 bollard posts located on the east and west of north
Chester on the bike path entrance. Work began on 8/18/2020 and was
completed on 8/19/2020.
3. Central Park (park signs project)
• RRT prepped and painted both park signs located on the north and south side of
Central Park. Work began on 8/15/2020 and was completed on 8/21/2020.
4. MLK Park (homeless encampment clean-up)
• RRT along with Code Enforcement cleaned up illegal encampments located on
the north side of MLK Park along the fence line, playground and basket ball
courts. Work began and was completed on 8/21/2020.
• 4 Sites were addressed
• Trash was placed inside the rear loader that was provided by code enforcement.
5. Amberton Park (park sign project)
• RRT prepped and painted the Amberton Park sign located on the northside of
School House Ln. Work began on 8/21/2020 and was completed on 8/22/2020.
Ongoing projects
1. Jastro Park (spray park restrooms)
• RRT will continue working on securing the spray park restrooms due to illegal
encampments after park hours. Work will continue as time permits.
2. Panama and Wible Rd.
• RRT will continue replacing the damaged concrete block wall panels on the
week of 8/25/2020
•
Miscellaneous
1. Centennial Park (Vandalism)
• RRT repaired a damaged lock hasp on the women’s restroom door that was
damaged due to vandalism. Work began and was completed on 8/19/2020.
Weekly Data:
Assignment Locations Job Description Date Man Hours Equip/Hours Misc. Cost Weight Approx. lbs.
Mill Creek house Homeless encampment clean-up. 8/18/2020 5 5 0 0
Bike Path Bollard Post Project. 8/18/2020 8/19/2020 49 50 $436.88 0
Central Park Park signs painting project.
8/15/2020
8/20/2020 43.50 30.5 $435.60 0
Mlk Park Homeless encampment clean-up. 8/21/2020 11 7.5 0 0
Amberton Park Park sign project.
8/21/2020
8/22/2020 23.5 21 $62.51 0
Totals= 5 Projects Completed 132 114 $934.99 0
Next Week
City Source Requests
• None
City Council and or Public Requests
• None
Priority Projects
• RRT will continue to work with Code Enforcement regarding any illegal
homeless encampment sites within City Parks, Streetscapes, and/or City
buildings.
• Jastro spray park restroom building modification.
• Panama and Wible block wall repair project.
• Jefferson park concrete demo and trash enclosure project.
Training
None See Attached Photos
Mill Creek house illegal encampment clean-up. 8/18/2020
Before encampment clean-up.
After encampment clean-up.
North Chester east and west bike path bollard post. 8/18/2020 thru 8/19/2020
North west bollard post.
North east bollard post.
Central Park signs project. 8/15/2020, 8/20/2020
North sign
South Park sign
MLK Park illegal encampment clean-up. 8/21/2020
Before encampment clean-up.
After encampment clean-up.
Amberton Park sign project. 8/21/2020 thru 8/22/2020