HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/25/2020CC
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Sept. 25, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information
Notable Items
The City this week launched its new B-CARES program, making $3 million of
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds available to local
small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
More than 100 local businesses have submitted applications and are in various stages
of the review process, according to the Finance Department.
The program allows small businesses – those with fewer than 25 full-time employees
and brought in $5 million or less in 2019 – to apply for aid of up to $20,000. The money
can be used for payroll, working capital, to purchase Personal Protective Equipment
for employees/customers, paying rent or mortgage, or paying vendor invoices. The
grant program is on a first come, first served basis and small businesses can apply for
the grants through the City’s website.
The City Council this week also voted to allocate $2 million in CARES Act funds to the
County of Kern’s Kern Recovery program in support of local non-profit operations.
That allocation will be available only to non-profits operating within the City limits.
Through various projects and allocations, the City has now directed nearly half ($14.5
million) of its $33.5 million in state CARES money to local business aid and rent or mortgage relief.
In an effort to continue to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic
and resulting State-imposed closures and restrictions, the City will temporarily close part of Eye Street to vehicular traffic starting Monday, September 28 at 8:30 a.m. This
will allow nearby restaurants with approved COVID-19 Special Event Permits to expand seating for diners and increase their capacity.
The closure will extend from 19th Street to the alleyway just south of 20th Street and will
General Information
Sept. 25, 2020
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be in effect indefinitely. “No Parking” signs were in place by Friday morning to alert drivers. Barriers and additional signage will be in place by Monday morning. The City
is proud to be able to support local businesses during these unprecedented times and circumstances.
Please join Visit Bakersfield for a free Web-BEER-nar Wednesday on Wednesday, September 30 at 10 a.m. This latest in Visit Bakersfield’s Webinar
Wednesday series will feature “The Sound of Something Brewing” as participants explore three
local breweries: 2nd Phase Brewing, Great
Change Brewing, and Temblor Brewing
Company. A representative from each brewery
will share information on specialty drinks and
food, current safety guidelines, operating hours,
highlights, and upcoming events. Registration is
free and can be made here, but space is limited.
The Recreation & Parks Department’s mass trimming season began this week, starting
with Chamber Boulevard in the southwest on Tuesday (see before & after below).
Crews continued trimming along Ming Avenue this week. Residents will notice a big
difference in the landscaping as the trimming continues throughout the City.
They DO rescue cats! Just before 1 p.m. on
Monday, September 21, the Bakersfield Fire Department responded to a house fire in southwest
Bakersfield and crews put the fire out. During a
search of the home afterward, a firefighter found the owner’s cat hiding in a bedroom. The cat was
unharmed and returned to its owner (right). No
injuries were reported from the fire.
The weekly #RecTheHouse campaign by the
Recreation & Parks Department is going strong! This
week’s video features three officers from the
Bakersfield Police Department, as well as some
neighborhood children – all appropriately social
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Sept. 25, 2020
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distancing, of course! These videos have been a great way to show families how to have fun at home with very little expense, a little creativity and some imagination!
A brief reminder for residents: The Streets Division provides regular street sweeping
across the City once a month and residents can find out when their street will be attended to on our website. Just select the “street sweeper” option in the menu on
the left, then click inside the border to see that area’s sweeping schedule.
The City asks residents to remember to not leave their vehicle(s) parked on the street along the curb during that street’s scheduled sweeping if possible. This will help the
sweeper be as efficient and effective as possible.
Now that it’s fall, the annual leaf collection operation is returning soon! The Streets Division will begin leaf collection on October 15. Residents will be allowed to place
leaves in the street 2 feet from the curb face. This service is expected to last until
around Jan. 15, 2021.
Traffic Advisories
Nighttime freeway closures scheduled; Daytime closure planned on Ford Avenue
Nighttime closures have been scheduled for the westbound State Route 58-to-
southbound State Route 99 connector ramp on Sunday, September 27 and Monday,
September 28. The closures are expected to be in place between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
while the contractor places concrete to tie-in the newly widened separation bridge.
Westbound-to-southbound motorists can use Union Avenue to connect with southbound
State Route 99.
Closures are scheduled on Wednesday, September 30 and Thursday, October 1 for the
two outside lanes on northbound State Route 99 between State Route 58 and Ming
Avenue. The northbound State Route 99-to-eastbound State Route 58 connector ramp
will also be closed between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. One northbound lane will remain open
for through traffic. Northbound-to-eastbound motorists will exit at Ming Avenue and
connect with State Route 58 via Union Avenue.
Ford Avenue will be closed between Dunlap Street and North Stine Road during daytime
hours on Monday, September 28. The closure is needed to release falsework from the
new bridge crossing over the roadway. If necessary, this section of Ford Avenue will
remain closed Monday night and Tuesday. Motorists can detour around the work zone
by using Joseph Drive/McDonald Way.
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.
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
Monday, Sept. 21, 2020 Public Information Officer (661) 326-3074 JConroy@bakersfieldcity.us
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD LAUNCHES NEW BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
The City of Bakersfield is pleased to announce a new Business Assistance Grant
program with the goal of helping local small businesses and sole proprietors
impacted by the COVD-19 pandemic and related State-implemented closures.
This new program makes $3 million in City Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic
Security (CARES) Act funds immediately available to local businesses in need.
Businesses located within the City limits will be eligible for grants in $5,000 increments
up to $20,000. The amount each business would be eligible for is based on the
business’ total full-time employees. Only businesses with 25 or fewer full-time
employees and revenues of $5 million or less in 2019 are eligible.
Interested business owners can find more eligibility information and apply for the
grant at http://www.bakersfieldcity.us/BCARES. The funding is available on a first
come, first served basis. The grant guidelines are also provided in a separate,
supplemental document.
“The City of Bakersfield wants to be as business-friendly and supportive as possible in
these difficult times,” said Christian Clegg, Bakersfield City Manager. “These
allocations are important to making sure our small business sector will survive this
unprecedented impact and get back to business-as-usual quickly.”
Beyond this new Business Assistance Grant Program, the City plans to allocate CARES
funding for forgivable business loans, grants for non-profit organizations, public-
private partnerships providing job training and technical assistance to local
businesses, and relief specific to the travel and tourism industry.
The City of Bakersfield recognizes the importance of local government partnerships
and is working with the County of Kern to appropriately utilize each agency’s assets
to best support local businesses. In order to make support available to local
organizations as quickly as possible, if approved by the City Council, the City plans
to commit $3 million to the Kern Small Business Relief Program and $2 million to the
County’s Nonprofit COVID-19 Economic Support Grant Program. Both allocations will
be earmarked for businesses and non-profits located within the City limits only.
Of the $33.5 million in CARES Act funding the City has received from the State of
California, nearly half has been allocated to support local businesses, non-profits and other organizations to support the local community.
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CITY OF BAKERSFIELD BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Grant Eligibility Requirements:
1. Applicant must have a business physically located within Bakersfield’s city limits.
2. Applicant must be independently owned and operated and have a current Business
Tax Certificate issued by the City of Bakersfield
3. Applicant must be a for profit small business as defined by the following:
a. Have between one and not more than twenty-five full time equivalent (FTE)
employees. An FTE employee works an average of 40 hours a week so to
determine a business’ FTE count, just add the average hours worked per
employee and divide that by 40. The owner operator of a business is considered
one FTE.
b. Annual revenues are less that $5,000,000 for the calendar year 2019.
c. Demonstrate and certify that business has been operating for at least one full
year prior to March 1, 2020.
4. Applicant must certify that business has experienced at least a 25% reduction in
revenue since March 1, 2020 and that grant proceeds will be used for allowable
expenses under the Federal CARES Act guidelines
5. Applicant business cannot have any unremedied City Code violations
GRANT AWARD WILL BE BASED ON THE NUMBER FTE EMPLOYEES
1 to 5 FTEs $ 5,000
6 to 10 FTEs $ 10,000
11 to 17 FTEs $ 15,000
18 to 25 FTEs $ 20,000
6. Applicants who have not have received Federal CARES Act funding through the
Federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP) or the County of Kern’s Small Business Relief
Program (KSBRP) will be given preference. The inclusion of those businesses who have
received PPP or KSBRP funds will be considered if funding is available.
7. The allocation of grants will be on a first come first served basis. To be considered, the
application must be complete with all required documentation included. It will not be
officially placed in the queue for funding until reviewed by program staff. Emails will be
sent to applicants with grant request is accepted and placed in the queue.
Documentation Required:
• Copies of Income tax returns for 2018 and 2019.
• Copies of quarter payroll tax filings for the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2020 showing number
of employees. If small business is owner operated and has no employees then tax
returns are sufficient.
• Copy of current Business Tax Certificate.
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
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 Public Information Officer (661) 326-3074 JConroy@bakersfieldcity.us
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF EYE STREET PLANNED
The City of Bakersfield, in further efforts to help local businesses continue to operate
during the pandemic and resulting State-imposed closures, will temporarily close part
of Eye Street in Downtown Bakersfield to allow area restaurants with approved
COVID-19 Special Event Permits to use the street for expanded outdoor customer
seating.
The temporary, around-the-clock closure of Eye Street between 19th Street and the
alley just south of 20th Street, will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, September 28.
Nearby restaurants with approved SEP will be allowed to use the closed street for
outdoor dining.
Starting Friday, September 25, "No Parking" signs will be placed in the area to make
drivers aware of the planned closure.
Plastic water-filled k-railings will be used to close the roadway to vehicle traffic. A
"Not a Through Street" sign will be placed at the intersection of Eye and 20th Streets
for southbound traffic.
The closure has been designed to allow emergency access if needed and for trash
pickup and will remain in effect indefinitely until state guidance regarding the
pandemic response allows for a return to indoor dining.
In addition to creating and offering the new COVID-19 SEP to help local businesses
during the pandemic, the City has also allocated millions of dollars of Coronavirus
Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, including creating the B-
CARES program offering up to $20,000 in grants for small businesses. The City will
continue to look for creative opportunities to assist the local business community.
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K-Rail
K-Rail
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
Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 Public Information Officer (661) 326-3074 JConroy@bakersfieldcity.us
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD’S ANNUAL LEAF COLLECTION OPERATION RETURNS
The City of Bakersfield’s Streets Division will be conducting its annual leaf collection
operation from Oct. 15, 2020 through approximately Jan. 15, 2021.
The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., though they may be extended if
necessary.
During this time, City residents are allowed to rake leaves into the street adjacent to
the curb and gutter for collection by Streets Division equipment. To allow for proper
drainage, the City asks that leaves be left at least 24 inches from the curb face.
The leaves are collected by specialized equipment designed for this purpose only
and the public is reminded that no other debris will be collected from the streets.
For more information, please call 661-326-3111 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
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