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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/2020CC OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Oct. 16, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information COVID-19 Updates  The City’s B-CARES grants have been available for nearly a month now, and through Friday, October 16, 72 local small businesses have been approved for $385,000 in support. Staff continues to work to have applications for the grants processed as quickly as possible. Back on September 21, the City made $3 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds available to create the B-CARES program, providing support to local small businesses struggling during the pandemic. The City encourages eligible businesses located within the City of Bakersfield to apply for the grant funding through our online application portal. Those applications are processed much faster than those that are emailed or dropped off in-person, which could take two to five additional business days to process. Notable Items  Work on the new Brundage Lane Navigation Center is nearly complete, with crews working hard to keep us on track for a Fall opening. This week the Recreation & Parks Department finished up adding a new dog park space at the facility. The space will be used by client pets, not far from a kennel area. Allowing clients to bring their animal companion with them to the low-barrier BLNC is one part of what sets this facility apart from other area homeless shelters. General Information Oct. 16, 2020 Page 2  Each year the City’s Excellence in Action program recognizes employees and teams that made a positive contribution to overall workplace success or significantly contributing to a major City project. In most years, the winners of the EIA awards are recognized at a City Council meeting, but because of the ongoing pandemic, that isn’t possible. Instead, the 15 award winners will be honored in a special video presentation at the November 4 City Council meeting. This year’s EIA award winners are: David Cook, Air Conditioning Technician II; Karl Davisson, GIS Analyst; Esther Duran, Fire Prevention Officer; Johnny Foster, Air Conditioning Technician II; Luis Gonzalez, Service Maintenance Worker; Jeff Grimes, Electrical Technician II; Aaron Kennedy, Asst. Director of Technology Services; Daniel R. Maldonado, Engineering Technician I; Mike Menees, Service Maintenance Worker; Everrett Rios, Park Services Coordinator; Rachel Rivera, Community Relations Specialist; Joshua Robles, Accountant II; Vanessa Vargas, Secretary II; Lacey Vandohlen, Financial Investigator; Howard Wines III, Director of Fire Prevention. The Extra Mile Award, selected by the City Manager’s Office, will be presented to Aaron Kennedy, Assistant Director of the Technology Services Department. This year’s Shining Team Achievement Recognition Award will go to the Accounts Payable Team in the Finance Department. That team is made up of Terrie Morning, Gary Ou and Symon Smith. Special Recognition Awards It is no secret 2020 been a challenging year. In spite of the challenges COVID-19 has presented, City staff have remained ready and willing to tackle important projects and ensure essential services continue to be provided to our community. This year, the City Manager’s Office chose to recognize three additional teams that went above and beyond to tackle a high priority project, respond to a major health and safety emergency and led the City’s COVID-19 employee response efforts. The three special recognition groups are as follows: o BLNC Construction and Finance Committee: From February 2020 to October 2020, the Construction and Finance Committee oversaw a multimillion- dollar budget and the nearly 200 City employees and contractors that contributed to completing the City’s Brundage Lane Navigation Center. The Committee consists of: Jacqui Kitchen, City Manager’s Office, Anthony Valdez, City Manager’s Office, Nick Fidler, Public Works, Sean Cacal, Public Works, Robert Voyles, Public Works, Phil Burns, Development Services, Nina Carter, Development Services, Randy McKeegan, Finance Department, Renee Williams, Finance Department, Gregory Pronovost, Technology Services and Darin Budak, Recreation and Parks Department. o Chester Avenue/Brundage Lane Sink Hole Response Team: On July 18, 2020, a large sinkhole began to form within the intersection of Chester Avenue and Brundage Lane. Staff from the Public Works Department’s Construction and Street Divisions quickly responded to assess and begin repairs to the 70 plus year old sewer system. For four weeks, staff from these General Information Oct. 16, 2020 Page 3 divisions coordinated traffic detours, directed private contractors and developed creative sewer bypass solutions to ensure sewer service continued for nearby businesses and residents. Many team members regularly worked 12 hour shifts in the summer heat until the work on one of the largest and most complex sinkholes in recent history was repaired. A list of those employees involved in this project are attached. o COVID-19 Response: In March 2020, the state issued stay at home orders and the City issued a local emergency in response to the growing spread of COVID-19 at that time. Risk Manager Jena Covey and Human Resources Director Christi Tenter quickly took initiative to develop policies, host COVID-19 webinars for supervisors and acquire PPE that ensured City staff could continue to provide essential services to the public in a safe and effective manner. Over the course of the last seven months, the City remained open for business and operating at over 85 percent capacity in large part due to the work of Ms. Tenter and Ms. Covey. These two spent countless hours (many before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. during the week and on weekends) working with City departments, Kern County Public Health, the City's healthcare team, City labor union representatives and other stakeholders to mitigate employee exposures to virus and implement protocol that has significantly mitigated the spread of the virus among City staff. Although COVID-19 continues to be a part of our environment today, the City continues to be well-positioned to respond to the impacts due to the work of Ms. Tenter and Ms. Covey.  The Recreation & Parks Department is excited to announce the completion of playground improvements at Seasons Park! A capital improvements project, outdated playground equipment (top left) was replaced with a new slide and other new play equipment (below left). Shade structures were also added to the area, as well as impact- friendly safety surface below. The improvements also increased the City’s ADA footprint, providing access to more playground equipment. The improvements are also likely to come in under the $250,000 budgeted General Information Oct. 16, 2020 Page 4 for the project. Recently all City-maintained parks were re-opened after the state health department issued new guidelines in light of the pandemic.  The City of Bakersfield once again received the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 2018-19 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This is the 39th consecutive year that the City’s CAFR has been recognized with this honor. The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (CAFR Program) in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal. The goal of the program is not to assess the financial health of participating governments, but rather to ensure that users of their financial statements have the information they need to do so themselves.  The Bakersfield Police Department added six new Police Interceptor Hybrids to its fleet this week! The vehicles have been deployed (below) and are replacing older vehicles no longer in service. This is the first time the department is using this model of vehicle and the department is excited to see how they integrate into the fleet! Two vehicles are the traditional black & white paint style, two are black & white K-9 Unit vehicles, one is a black admin vehicle and one black admin/bomb squad vehicle.  Bakersfield Museum of Art’s annual Via Arté Italian Street Painting event will be held this Saturday and Sunday (October 17 and 18) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Marketplace (9000 Ming Avenue). Because the Via Bambino kids squares could not be held at this year’s event, the kids’ squares are going virtual. When you visit Via Arté, be sure to purchase a box of chalk to take home so artists of all ages can create their own Via Bambino masterpiece. Visit Bakersfield is proud to be the sponsor of this year’s Via Bambino chalk boxes. Snap photos of the finished work and post them to social media. And don't forget to tag @thebmoa #bmoaviaarte so your creations can be shared on social media. General Information Oct. 16, 2020 Page 5  The monthly low-cost pet vaccination clinic hosted by the Animal Care Unit returned last weekend, albeit with some modifications due to the pandemic. On Saturday at Central Park at Mill Creek, 78 regular tags were issued, with another 29 temporary tags issued as well. Not only that, but 42 animals received free microchips, 98 were vaccinated against rabies, 79 received Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvo vaccinations, and 43 were vaccinated against Bordetella. In all, the event brought in $4,985 in revenue. The Animal Care Unit expects to host its next clinic – with the same precautions in place – at Kroll Park (7500 Kroll Way) from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 14.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and City employees are wearing pink each Friday this month to spread that awareness! Public Works employees dressed in pink or wore pink ribbons and other accessories last week to do their part. And of course, they took appropriate COVID-19 safety precautions for their picture!  The Bakersfield Fire Department received a very generous donation this week from a Bakersfield resident. Alphonso Rivera donated a Camp Chef BBQ Grill to Fire Station 6 on E. Brundage Lane! (right) The crews there are very thankful for Mr. Rivera’s generosity. The new grill even includes a feature allowing crews to use their phones to monitor temperatures and set timers for cooking, even when they’re called to an emergency. Thank you, Mr. Rivera!  The City’s annual Leaf Collection service has returned! The service started on Thursday, October 15 and allows residents to rake their leaves from their yard into the street for removal. The General Information Oct. 16, 2020 Page 6 service for this Fall will continue until Jan. 15, 2021. Traffic Advisories  Lane closures planned on southbound State Route 99 Lane closures are scheduled for the southbound State Route 99, at the Ming Avenue off ramp between Sunday, October 18 and Thursday, October 22. The two outside lanes in the southbound direction are expected to be closed between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. to allow for road work in this area. The inside lane will remain open while work is underway. No impacts are anticipated for northbound traffic. During these closures, motorists wishing to use the Ming Avenue off ramp will be detoured to California Avenue. 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.  Closure planned on Panorama Drive Panorama Drive will be closed between Juniper Ridge Court and Stone Canyon Street starting 8 a.m. Monday, October 19. The closure is expected to last until 4 p.m. Monday, October 26. A developer will be constructing a new sewer tie-in for new land development north of Panorama Drive. Detours and alternate access points will be provided for drivers during the closure. Traffic delays are expected as a result, and drivers are advised to use alternate routes or allow extra travel time if driving in the area. The City thanks the public for its patience during the completion of these improvements. Reports  Streets Division work schedule for the week of Oct. 19, 2020.  Recreation & Parks Department Rapid Response Team Report, Oct. 12, 2020.  WARN Notice from Grapevine Entertainment, Inc. Events  Live Stream Vaccine: The Entertainment Cure: Jay Smith Group with Marlon Mackey, 7 p.m. Friday, October 16. EMPLOYEE POSITION DEPARTMENT Streets Division Staff JOHN ADVINCULA SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 559 STEVE ALVAREZ SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 559 BRETT BROUGH SEWER MAINTAINER II 559 MICHAEL CRUZ SEWER MAINTAINER II 559 JOSEPH ESPINOZA SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 559 PABLO FRANCO SEWER MAINTAINER II 559 JAVIER LUNA SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 559 CRISTIAN MANZO SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 559 RICARDO ORTEGA SEWER MAINTAINER II 559 BRIAN PEOPLES SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 559 JUAN JARA SEWER MAINTAINER II 559 ASCENCION OCHOA SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 559 HIPOLITO SANTAMARIA SEWER MAINTAINER II 559 BRANDON STEVENS SUPERVISOR II 559 JUSTIN VANDER TUIG SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 559 MICHAEL ADAMS STREETS MAINTENANCE WORKER 557 FEDERICO AGUILAR STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 CHRIS MUDRYK SUPERVISOR II 557 CARLOS FLORES STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 ADOLPH CELEDON JR STREETS OPERATIONS LEAD 557 JOSE DELGADO STREETS OPERATIONS LEAD 557 ANDREW FERNANDES STREETS MAINTENANCE WORKER 557 LUIS GARCIA STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 TAYLOR RAMIREZ STREETS MAINTENANCE WORKER 557 MIGUEL RAMOS JR STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 RYAN ROMERO STREETS MAINTENANCE WORKER 557 RYAN SIDDLE STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 ADAM VAN PEURSEM STREETS MAINTENANCE WORKER 557 JOSE BARAJAS-MARTINEZ STREETS OPERATIONS LEAD 558 ANDRES CADENA STREETS OPERATIONS LEAD 558 DAVID MOMOA STREETS OPERATIONS LEAD 558 DARIN RAMIREZ SUPERVISOR II 556 PABLO SANDOVAL SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 556 JASON SUCHIN MOTOR SWEEPER OPERATOR 556 DONALD VAN SLOTEN SERVICE MAINTENANCE WORKER 556 JUAN VELASQUEZ STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 556 SERGIO VENEGAS MOTOR SWEEPER OPERATOR 556 CHRISTOPHER REYES STREET OPERATIONS LEAD 557 ANDREW SANCHEZ STREETS MAINTENANCE WORKER 557 MASON TALHELM STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 GRANT WOOLARD STREETS MAINTENANCE WORKER 557 NATHAN MUNSON STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 WILLIAM BAILEY STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 RONALD DUERNER STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 KEVIN JOHNSON STREETS MAINTENANCE WORKER 557 MATT LAWSON ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT 557 JEFFERY MILLER STREETS EQUIPMENT OPERATOR 557 MATTHEW THOMAS STREETS MAINTENANCE WORKER 558 Construction Division Staff Roy Campos Construction Superintendent Jeff Garnett Construction Supervisor II Ines Tolentino Construction Inspector II Mike DeLaCruz Construction Inspector II Jeremy Martin Engineering Aide Gilbert Garcia Survey Party Chief Bryan Harrington Survey Party Chief Mike West Construction Supervisor II Robert Voyles Public Works Operations Manager FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/15/2020 For more information contact: Michele Mark Levine, Director/TSC Phone: (312) 977-9700 Fax: (312) 977-4806 Email: mlevine@gfoa.org (Chicago, Illinois)—Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to City of Bakersfield for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve. ALL PARK CLINICS ARE HELD FROM 9:00 AM TO NOON *ALL FEES/DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE BEFORE ATTENDING A CLINIC FOR POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS SCHEDULE. https://bakersfieldcity.us/gov/depts/animal_care_center/clinics.htm City of Bakersfield Animal Control 2020 Vaccination & Licensing Clinics January Saturday 1/11/20 The Park at Riverwalk 11200 Stockdale Hwy February Saturday 2/8/20 Jefferson Park 801 Bernard St. March Saturday 3/14/20 Beale Park 500 Oleander Ave. April Saturday 4/11/20 Wilson Park 2400 Wilson Rd. May Saturday 5/9/20 Lowell Park 800 4th St. June Saturday 6/13/20 Jastro Park 2900 Truxtun Ave July Saturday 7/11/20 Silver Creek Park 7011 Harris Rd. August Saturday 8/8/20 MLK Community Center 1000 S. Owens St.sav September Saturday 9/12/20 Beale Park 500 Oleander Ave October Saturday 10/10/20 Central Park at Mill Creek 600 19th St. November Saturday 11/14/20 Kroll Park 7500 Kroll Way December Saturday 12/12/20 Liberty Park 11225 Brimhall Rd. Vaccination & Licensing Information • California Law requires all dogs over the age of three months are vaccinated against the rabies virus and a license must be purchased within 30 days of vaccination. • At the low-cost park clinics, your dog can be vaccinated for a reduced fee. • A license must be purchased along with a rabies vaccine at the clinic. • If your dog has a current rabies vaccine, you may purchase a license only if you have a copy of the rabies certificate. Vaccine Fees: Rabies Vaccine - $10.00 DAPP Vaccine - $10.00 Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough) - $10.00 License Fees: Spayed or Neutered: 1 Year License - $15.00 3 year license - $30.00 Natural (NOT spayed or neutered): 1 Year License - $60.00 3 Year License - $120.00 Senior Rates (62 and older): Dog MUST be spayed or neutered for discount! 1 Year License - $5.00 3 Year License - $15.00 Temporary Licenses: Dog MUST be spayed or neutered within 60 days. 1 Year Temporary License - $15.00 1 Year Senior Temporary License - $5.00 Visit us on the web for up to date clinic information: https://bakersfieldcity.us/gov/depts/animal_care_center/clinics.htm 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. ### Week of October 19_2020_Work Schedule Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION – WORK SCHEDULE Week of October 19, 2020 – October 30, 2020 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Reconstruct Kroll entrance from Gosford to Montalvo Section repairs – N El Rio from Saddleback to Quailwood, Quailwood from N El Rio to Quailridge Concrete repairs – 22nd St from B St To F St Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Video inspection of City owned sewer and storm lines to evaluate condition of pipes Repairing damaged sewer line found during video inspection Miscellaneous concrete repairs throughout the City Concrete work in the Old Town Kern HUD area Concrete work in the Wilson HUD area Leaf pickup program ongoing from October 15, 2020 – January 15, 2021 Week of October 19_2020_Work Schedule Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, October 19, 2020 Panama Ln to Taft Hwy, Stine to 99 Freeway Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Wible Rd to Gosford Rd, District Blvd to Panama Ln Wednesday, October 21, 2020 White Ln to Panama Ln, Buena Vista to Gosford Thursday, October 22, 2020 Snow Rd to Hageman Rd, Allen Rd to Calloway, Brundage Rd to Ming, South P St to Cottonwood Friday, October 23, 2020 Seventh Standard Rd to Rosedale Hwy, Verdugo to Coffee Rd Monday, October 26, 2020 Coffee Rd to Renfro Rd, Palm Ave to Westside Parkway Tuesday, October 27, 2020 Olive Dr to Downing, Coffee Rd to Knudson Dr Wednesday, October 28, 2020 Snow Rd to Hageman Rd, Renfro to Jewetta Ave Thursday, October 29, 2020 Makeup Day Friday, October 30, 2020 Makeup Day 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 sweepers are in Fleet for repairs. Areas that have been missed during this time will be swept at the end of the month only when possible. RRT Weekly Report For the week of 10/06/20-10/11/20 City Council and/or Public Requests • None City Source Requests • None Projects Completed by RRT 1. BLNC Project (Landscape and Irrigation project.) • RRT continued with the irrigation modification, along with the landscaping project at Brundage Lane Navigation Center. Work began on 10/06/2020 thru 10/11/2020 and will continue for the week of 10/12/2020. Miscellaneous 1. Stine and Pacheco (Rail road clean-up.) • RRT along with Code Enforcement clean-up illegal encampment located on the North West side of Pacheco Rd and Stine road next to the rail road tracks. • 1 large site was addressed. • Trash was placed inside a roll off trash bin that was provided by Solid Waste. • Work began and was completed on 10/8/2020. 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 block wall panels on the week of 10/13/2020. 3. Jefferson Park (Trash enclosure project.) • RRT will continue with the new trash enclosure project on the week of 10/13/2020. 4. Brundage Lane Navigation Center. (Irrigation modification project.) • RRT will continue the irrigation modification and landscape project on the week of 10/12/2020. Weekly Data: Assignment Locations Job Description Date Man Hours Equip/Hours Misc. Cost Weight Approx. lbs. Brundage Lane Navigation Center. Landscape and irrigation project. 10/6/2020 Thru 10/11/2020 352hrs 298hrs $5,478.81 0 Stine Rd and Pacheco Rd. Illegal encampment clean-up. 10/8/2020 8 8 0 0 Totals= 2 Projects Completed 360hrs 306hrs $5,478.81 0 Next Week City Source Request • None City Council and/or Public Request • 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 Ln. and Wible block wall repair project. • Jefferson Park trash enclosure project. • Brundage Lane Navigation Center irrigation project. • Sister Cities Iron fence modification project. Training • None See Attached Photos Brundage Lane Navigation Center Project.10/6/2020 thru 10/11/2020