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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/2020CC OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Dec. 11, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information COVID-19 Updates  Due to the State issuing a Regional Stay Home Order this week for the San Joaquin Valley Region – which includes Kern County and Bakersfield – the City will close its December 16 City Council meeting to in-person participation. This meeting is largely ceremonial as Councilmembers are installed and sworn in. The City encourages anyone interested in participating in the meeting – including offering public comment – do so remotely. Public comments can be submitted to the Council prior to the meeting by email or voicemail, as outlined here. Members of the public may view the meeting live online here, or on Kern County Television. The City continues to encourage the public to follow the guidelines set by the State in its Regional Stay Home Order.  This week the City announced the addition of $2 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to the City’s B-CARES small business grants program, for a total of $5 million. Since the program launched in September, the City has awarded $2.08 million to 344 local small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and related State-imposed restrictions and stay home orders. There are another 191 applications at some stage of the review process, along with 618 applications that are pending review. The City expects to have the entire $5 million allocation to be awarded to all applications that meet the requirements of the program before the end of the calendar year, as required by the CARES Act. The City will stop accepting applications for the grants at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 11. General Information Dec. 11, 2020 Page 2  Children’s playground equipment at City-maintained public parks remain open, even during the ongoing Regional Stay Home Order issued by the State. The Kern County Department of Public Health (KCDPH) has stated that public playground equipment is exempt from the order, which was issued on December 6. The KCDPH asks that only one household or family group use the playground equipment at a time in order to help reduce the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus. Notable Items  Bakersfield is featured in an article in the new 2021 edition of Yosemite National Park Journal. This 88-page publication includes “four amazing road trips,” two of which – the Best of the Coast and Viva Las Vegas – pass through Bakersfield. The article spotlights Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, Merry Go Round Antique Mall, Five & Dime Antique Mall, Woolworth Diner, and Kern County Museum. Accompanying the article is a half-page ad from Visit Bakersfield.  Be one of the first to have this new Bakersfield ornament from Visit Bakersfield. It comes with a loop and ribbon so it is ready to decorate wherever you choose. This also makes a unique gift idea for family and friends who would like something Bakersfield. The Bakersfield ornament is not available in any store and is sold exclusively through Visit Bakersfield's new online retail store. It ships in a box and padded envelope. Get in the spirit with your own Bakersfield ho-ho-holiday ornament (right), only from Visit Bakersfield. Ordering information is on the Visit Bakersfield blog.  The 37th Annual Bakersfield Toy Run and Canned Food Drive kicked off Friday, December 11 and runs through Sunday, December 13 at Bakersfield Harley Davidson (35089 Merle Haggard Drive). Anyone interested in donating to the drive is asked to bring one unwrapped toy and two cans of food (a suggested cash donation of $20 is also acceptable). Donors will be entered for a chance to win a gift card worth up to $500. In past years, the event has been held at Beach Park, but has been moved due to the pandemic. Toy run organizers plan to set up a pop-up in Beach Park from 6:30 a.m. to noon on December 13 to direct anyone not aware of this year’s drop-off location. General Information Dec. 11, 2020 Page 3  Even while keeping our residents safe, the Bakersfield Fire Department has time to help make someone’s birthday a little more special! This week the fire department received a call from a citizen asking if a fire engine could stop by for their son’s eighth birthday. The crew from Fire Station 2A made that request a reality and made that young man’s day! Traffic Advisories  Closure Planned on Southbound Old River Road The City of Bakersfield will close the southbound side of Old River Road between McCutchen Road and Taft Highway from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 17. This closure is required as part of a resurfacing project on Old River Road. Drivers heading south on Old River Road are advised to use alternate routes during this project work. The northbound side of Old River Road will remain open during the project. The City of Bakersfield’s Streets Division thanks the public for its understanding and cooperation during the completion of these improvements. Reports  Streets Division work schedule for Dec. 14 through Dec. 25, 2020.  Recreation & Parks Department weekly Rapid Response Team Report, Nov. 30 through Dec. 6, 2020.  Recreation & Parks Department Monthly Report, November 2020. Events  37th Annual Bakersfield Toy Run and Canned Food Drive, Friday, December 11 through Sunday, December 13 at Bakersfield Harley Davidson (35089 Merle Haggard Drive).  Low-cost pet vaccination and licensing clinic, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, December 12 at Liberty Park (11225 Brimhall Road).  Graduation of Law Enforcement Training Academy Class 2020-21, 8 a.m. Thursday, December 17 at 1301Buena Vista Road. 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, Dec. 11, 2020 Public Information Officer (661) 326-3074 JConroy@bakersfieldcity.us CITY OF BAKERSFIELD ENCOURAGES REMOTE PARTICIPATION FOR DECEMBER 16 CITY COUNCIL MEETING Following the State of California’s issuance of a Regional Stay Home Order (RSHO) for the San Joaquin Valley Region – which includes Kern County and Bakersfield – the City of Bakersfield will close the December 16 City Council meeting to in-person participation. The City encourages the public to participate remotely, including providing public comment via email or voicemail prior to the meeting. The December 16 meeting will be largely ceremonial, installing and swearing in City Councilmembers. The City will hold a scaled-down version of the installation ceremony with Councilmembers and their limited special guests. These limited participants will be asked to practice social distancing and to wear facemasks or coverings. The meeting will not be open to the public. Members of the public wishing to provide messages of congratulations or encouragement to incoming or outgoing City Councilmembers are asked to provide those to the City by sending them to this email address: City_Council@bakersfieldcity.us. Those messages will be shared separately with the Councilmembers at a future date. Members of the public may view the 5:15 p.m. meeting live online at https://bakersfield.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/; or on Kern County Television: Brighthouse Networks Channel 16 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99. The City recommends that anyone who wishes to offer public comment at the 5:15 p.m. meeting do so either via email or phone message as outlined below. • Email via the City Clerk’s Office at city_clerk@bakersfieldcity.us by 1 p.m. the day of the meeting; or • Leave a voicemail comment by calling 661-326-3100. Voicemail messages must be three (3) minutes or shorter. Messages must be received by 4 p.m. the Tuesday before the meeting. The RSHO went into effect in Kern County on Sunday, December 6 and is expected to be in effect for at least three weeks. The order includes the recommendation for the public to avoid gatherings to help prevent the potential exposure to the COVID- 19 virus. Public access to City Council meetings after December 16 will be evaluated for each meeting based on the circumstances as they exist at the time. The City encourages all residents to follow the guidelines set by the State in its Regional Stay Home Order. ### SPECIAL NOTICE Public Participation and Accessibility December 16, 2020 Bakersfield City Council Meeting On March 18, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20, which includes a waiver of Brown Act provisions requiring physical presence of the Council or the public in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. On December 6, 2020, the State of California also issued a new “Regional Stay Home Order” that went into effect in Kern County. Based on guidance from the California Governor’s Office and Department of Public Health, as well as the County Health Officer, in order to minimize the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, the City of Bakersfield hereby provides notice that as a result of the declared federal, state, and local health emergencies, and in light of the Governor’s orders, the following adjustments have been made: 1. The meeting scheduled for December 16, 2020, at 5:15 p.m. will not be physically open to the public. 2. Consistent with the Executive Order, Councilmembers may elect to attend the meeting telephonically and to participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they were physically present. 3. The public may participate in each meeting and address the City Council as follows:  View a live video stream of the meeting at https://bakersfield.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/ or, on your local government channel (Kern County Television).  If you wish to comment on a specific agenda item, submit your comment via email to the City Clerk at City_Clerk@bakersfieldcity.us no later than 1:00 p.m. prior to the Council meeting. Please clearly indicate which agenda item number your comment pertains to.  If you wish to make a general public comment not related to a specific agenda item, submit your comment via email to the City Clerk at City_Clerk@bakersfieldcity.us no later than 1:00 p.m. prior to the Council meeting.  Alternatively, you may comment by calling (661) 326-3100 and leaving a voicemail of no more than 3 minutes no later than 4:00 p.m. the Tuesday prior to the Council meeting. Your message must clearly indicate whether your comment relates to a particular agenda item, or is a general public comment. If your comment meets the foregoing criteria, it will be transcribed as accurately as possible.  If you are watching the live stream of the meeting and wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item as it is being heard, please email your written comment to the City Clerk at City_Clerk@bakersfieldcity.us. All comments received during the meeting may not be read, but will be provided to the Council and included as part of the permanent public record of the meeting.   Week of December14_2020_Work Schedule Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION – WORK SCHEDULE Week of December 14, 2020—December 25, 2020 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Concrete repairs – Centennial Corredor Concrete repairs – 3020 Spruce st Alley work in Ward 2 Section repairs – Old River Rd from Taft Hwy to McCutchen Rd Section repairs –southbound Coffee Rd between Jet Way and Brimhall 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 E California HUD area Leaf pickup program ongoing from October 15, 2020 – January 15, 2021 Week of December14_2020_Work Schedule Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, December 14, 2020 Panama Ln to Taft Hwy, Stine to 99 Freeway Tuesday, December 15, 2020 Wible Rd to Gosford Rd, District Blvd to Panama Ln Wednesday, December 16, 2020 White Ln to Panama Ln, Buena Vista to Gosford Thursday, December 17, 2020 Stockdale Hwy to White Ln, Gosford Rd to New Stine Rd Friday, December 18, 2020 Stockdale Hwy to Ming Ave, Old River to Gosford Rd Monday, December 21, 2020 Coffee Rd to Renfro Rd, Palm Ave to Westside Parkway Tuesday, December 22, 2020 Olive Dr to Downing, Coffee Rd to Knudson Dr Wednesday, December 23, 2020 Snow Rd to Hageman Rd, Renfro to Jewetta Ave Thursday, December 24, 2020 No sweeping service due to Holiday. Friday, December 25, 2020 No sweeping service due to Holiday. 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 11/30/20-12/06/20 City Council and/or Public Requests • None City Source Requests • None Projects Completed by RRT 1. Kaiser Permanente Sport village (Flower beds clean-up.) • RRT Staff along with City Temporary employees trimmed the over grown ground cover and cleaned-up all the dead weeds on the flower beds located on Ashe Rd and KPSV parking lot. • Work began on 11/29/2020 thru 11/30/2020 and was completed on 12/02/2020. 2. San Miguel Grove (Homeless encampment clean-up.) • RRT staff along with Code Enforcement cleaned-up illegal encampments located on the North West side of the river bank at San Miguel Grove bike path. • 1 Large site was addressed. • One load was taken to Bena Landfill (Total weight 2,260 Lbs.) • Work began and was completed on 12/02/2020. 3.Westside Pkwy (Tumble weed clean-up.) • RRT along with City area staff continued removing all the tumbleweeds located on the North side of the Westside Parkway between Coffee Rd and Stockdale Hwy. • Work began on 12/04/2020 and was completed on 12/06/2020. • Total loads removed 24,640lbs of debris. Miscellaneous 1. Weill Park, Saunders and Patriots Park (encampment clean-ups.) • RRT along with Code Enforcement cleaned-up illegal encampments at these three different park locations. • Work began and was completed on 12/01/2020. 2. South Union Ave (City dump site.) • RRT assisted Area #2 with taking some loads of trash to Bena Landfill from the South Union Ave City dump site. • Work began and was completed on 12/02/2020. 3. Planz Park (Bollard post chain and women’s restroom door repairs.) • RRT repaired the damaged lock hasp on the Women’s security door that was vandalized and replaced the stolen bollard post chain located on the North West drive way at Planz Park. • Work began and was completed on 12/03/2020. 3. Centennial Park (electrical box modification.) • RRT secured the damaged smart meter electrical box located on the South Storage Room building that was vandalized. • Work began and was completed on 12/03/2020. 4. Coffee Rd, over path bridge (tumble weed clean-up.) • RRT cleaned-up some piles of tumbleweeds that were blown onto the road due to a wind storm. • Work began and was completed on 12/03/2020. 5. Johnson Rd (empty field.) • RRT removed all the existing tumbleweeds located on the south west block wall between city and home owner’s property. • Work began and was completed on 12/03/2020. 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. Westside Pkwy (Tumbleweed clean-up.) • RRT will continue working on the Westside Pkwy with removing all the existing tumbleweeds on the Northside during the week of 11/30/2020. Weekly Data: Assignment Locations Job Description Date Man Hours Equip/Hours Misc. Cost Weight Approx. lbs. Sport Village Flower beds trim and clean-up project. 11/29/2020 Thru San Miguel Grove. Homeless encampment clean-up. 12/02/2020 28 24 $50.85 2,260 Lbs. Westside Parkway Tumbleweed and litter removal 12/04/2020 thru 12/6/2020 12/4-118hrs 12/5-110hrs 12/6-102hrs 12/4-106hrs 12/5-106hrs 12/6-106hrs $174.60 $174.60 12/4-7760lbs 12/5-7760lbs 12/6-9120lbs Totals= Projects Completed 330hrs 318hrs $400.05 26,900Lbs. 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. • Westside Parkway tumbleweed clean-up. Training • None See Attached Photos Kaiser Permanente Flower bed trimming and weed clean-up.11/29/2020 Kaiser Permanente South parking lot, bush trimming project.11/30/2020 Westside Parkway Westbound side @ Coffee Rd Clean-up We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Department of Recreation and Parks Date: December 10, 2020 To: Christian Clegg, City Manager From: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks Subject: 2020 November Monthly Report ADMINISTRATION November Summary Highlights: The Recreation and Parks Department continues to meet and exceed restrictions due to COVID-19. Staff is socially distancing, sanitizing and wearing masks when near others. We offer permits for groups as they demonstrate the protocols required for outdoor activities. Staff is providing lap swimming at McMurtrey Aquatic Center, and also free meals for students surrounding the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center. As I retire in December, it has been an honor to serve this community through parks, recreation and landscape maintenance. The remarkable staff will continue to serve the citizens and strive for the Sound of Something Better throughout Bakersfield. May 2021 allow for more programs and opportunities for health and wellness for everyone. Most Sincerely, Dianne Public Safety & Vital Services • McMurtrey Aquatic Center block wall clean-up. • Wilson Park playground concrete demo and removal. • Kentucky St. right of way clean-up. • Mill House A/C enclosure door repairs. • Planz Park homeless encampment clean-up. • Mesa Marin restroom window repairs. • Westside Parkway (Stockdale Hwy-Coffee Rd) tumbleweed clean-up. • San Miguel Grove new bollard post installation. • Mechanics Bank Fountain brick side walk repair. • California Avenue sump homeless encampment clean-up. Department of Recreation and Parks November 2020 Monthly Report Page 2 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. • MLK Park homeless encampment clean-up. • Beale Park restroom toilet repairs. • Jastro Park storage room door modification. • Deer Peak Park storage room door repairs. • City Corporation Yard & Truxtun Ave tumbleweed clean-up. • Kaiser Permanente Sports Village trimming and brush clean-up. Wall Repairs: In Progress: 1. 4100 block of Pascara St – “San Lauren” wall sign 2. S/E corner of Buena Vista Rd & Campus Park Dr. – “Chandler Ranch” wall sign 3. McMurtrey Aquatic Center – Monument Sign 4. 20th Street & Eye St / 20th & H St – Raised Planter 5. Mohawk @ Sienna Ln – “San Lauren” wall sign 6. 316 Rushcutters Bay Dr. & E. Berkshire Rd 7. Allen Rd & Sable Point Dr. S/E corner 8. 2901 Blackjack Oak Ln Completed: 1. 10500 block of Panama Ln, W/of Mountain Vista 2. Buena Vista Rd & Open Trail – NE corner (Raised Planter) 3. 400 block of East Panama Ln – *Invoice Pending 4. E. of Wible Rd N/of Panama Ln (Pre-Cast Wall) – 5. Greystone Park – add block coursed to trash enclosure – 6. 19th & H St. N/E corner PARKS UPDATES Area 1 • Tree contractor is currently trimming and removing trees throughout Area 1. Area 2 • Staff pressure washed playgrounds. • General Tree Contractors completed tree trimming list with the exception of Truxtun Ave., Chester Ave., & Eye St. Area 3 • Staff, along with Bakersfield Homeless Center crews, removed tumble weeds on the south side of the Westside Parkway at the Calloway Drive offramp. • Staff assisted RRT with tumble weed cleanup on the Westside Parkway on the following dates: • 11/12/20 – 11/16/20 • 11/20/20 – 11/23/20 • 11/27/20 – 11/30/20 Department of Recreation and Parks November 2020 Monthly Report Page 3 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Area 4 • New areas acquired for maintenance: • Mountain Ridge west side between Millington and Berkshire. • Berkshire north side between Mountain Ridge and Buckeye Tree. • Taft Hwy north side between Residence and Mountain Ridge. Area 6 • San Miguel Grove- Staff continues to add additional barriers to prevent people from driving on bike path and river bed. • Stockdale Ranch– Staff has replaced cracked sidewalk. • Staff is using loader and a brush truck to Uplands of the Kern River and San Miguel Grove once a week to remove large amounts of trash generated by homeless encampments. These areas are increasingly difficult to maintain due to the amount of trash and vandalism. • Area 6 planted 40 plants on Buena Vista just south of River Run Blvd. Trimming: • Trees Trimmed: 12 Clearance: 42 Removals: 0 RECREATION Total monthly attendance for all programs, reservations and volunteers combined for the month of November totaled 1,197 as compared to last year’s total of 41,090. Aquatics The City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department lap swimming program continues to be a core program for the community. Aquatic Programming & Attendance Overall aquatic monthly attendance and McMurtrey attendance for November was 1,047; due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are offering limited City run programming and are not offering rentals at this time Lap Swimming: • Staff continue to follow State and County COVID-19 guidelines for public swimming pool facilities. A total of 8 time slots are available Monday through Thursday, 5 time slots on Fridays and 3 time slots on Saturdays. A Family Lap swim option is also available Saturdays at 11 a.m. Total Lap Swim Visits for November: 1,004 • Training - A total of 43 employees recertified their Bloodborne Pathogens training, which is required annually for public safety personnel. Athletics Programming was nonexistent in November as a result of COVID-19 related precautions and orders in place. Sports staff spent the entire month working in parks maintenance. Department of Recreation and Parks November 2020 Monthly Report Page 4 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. 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: o 208 Grab N Go meals were distributed to children ages 2-18, Monday through Friday from 2:00 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. Staff from various departments are assisting in demonstrating the fun. • Attendance for November was approximately 150. 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 November. • City/Community Event: • November 28th – Centennial Plaza Tree Lighting/60 guests • November 7, 14, 21 & 28 – Beach Park, i9 Sports Association/240 guests • November 8th – Windermere Park, Grove Church Gathering/50 guests • November 8th – TPRW, California Classic Weekend Turkey Run/200 guests • November 15th – Manor Multi-Use Train, Judgement Day Half Marathon/265 guests COVID-19 SPECIAL USE PERMIT (SUP) • In light of the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration issued by the City of Bakersfield on March 19, 2020, the City of Bakersfield Recreation & Parks Department has created a “COVID-19 Special Use Permit”, to help churches, fitness gyms, and sport associations comply with “social distancing” and other operating requirement mandated by the State. The process will provide businesses an opportunity to temporary operate in designated parks throughout the city. The new COVID-19 Special Use Permit process will be available through the duration of the City’s local Emergency Declaration; and it is designed to help businesses move outdoor quickly, while also ensuring the public’s health and safety. Businesses are responsible for compliance with any and all other federal, State, County orders and regulations. 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 November 2020 Monthly Report Page 5 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Kentucky South Side/Empty Lot Tumbleweed, Dry Brush & Trash Clean-up Before & After Department of Recreation and Parks November 2020 Monthly Report Page 6 We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. Westside Parkway Westbound Side at Coffee Rd Clean-up 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 December 11, 2020 The Bakersfield Police Department is proud to announce Law Enforcement Training Academy Class 20-01 is graduating Thursday, December 17, 2020. The ceremony will begin at 8:00 a.m., and will be held at the Westside Substation, 1301 Buena Vista Road. The outdoor ceremony is not open to the public due to Covid-19 restrictions; however, media is welcome to attend. 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.