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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/2021CC OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER Jan. 15, 2021 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information City offices will be closed Monday, January 18, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. Curbside trash and recycling services will not be affected. B-CARES Update  Through the incredible work of our staff in the Finance Department, the City of Bakersfield has now approved more than $4.9 million in B-CARES small business assistance grants to 794 local businesses as of today (January 15). There are still applications being reviewed, but we hope to have all eligible applicants paid in the next week or so. Notable Items  On Thursday, January 14, in front of the tree at Centennial Plaza, Mayor Karen Goh proclaimed Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 “Operation White Lights Day.” The Operation White Lights campaign – spearheaded by Dignity Health Bakersfield and supported by the City and other local hospitals – encourages the community to honor and recognize the hard work and sacrifices of frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic by displaying white lights on their homes and businesses and wearing white ribbons on their lapels. The campaign lasts through the month of January. General Information Jan. 15, 2021 Page 2  The City of Bakersfield turned 123 years old on Monday, January 11. On that date in 1898, the City – home to about 4,000 residents at the time – was incorporated. Bakersfield has grown exponentially since, its 392,756 residents making it the ninth-largest in California and 52nd-largest in the country. The decision in 1898 was actually the second time Bakersfield was incorporated, following the move in 1873, though voters overturned the decision three years later.  The Bakersfield Fire Department began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine this week. Chief Anthony Galagaza received his first dose of the vaccine (right) at Auburn Pharmacy, one of 60 BFD members set to receive the vaccine this week alone! Special thanks to pharmacist Manish Somani for accommodating BFD personnel.  The Recreation & Parks Department is offering a free lunch program at the Martin Luther King Community Center on South Owens Street. Thanks to the federally-funded program, children from 2-years-old to 18-years-old may receive a nutritious meal free of charge. Adults with disabilities are also eligible for the program. Kids can pick up a combined afternoon and dinner snack from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the community center. The Recreation & Parks Department is serving around 70 to 80 kids each week, with some weeks averaging closer to 100. A parade celebrating the first arrival of a train on the S.F. & S.J.V. Railroad at the intersection of 19th & K Streets, May 27, 1898. Photo courtesy of the Kern County Museum. General Information Jan. 15, 2021 Page 3  There are a number of projects the City is currently supporting to help address the homelessness crisis. One of those projects is the 40-bed expansion at the Bakersfield Homeless Center, which is currently underway and includes a modular restroom and shower installation. The City Council awarded $891,632 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $250,000 in Redevelopment Agency (RDA) funds to remodel an existing classroom trailer into a dormitory that can fit 40 beds. The project is about 60% complete and is expected to be finished by the end of February. Traffic Advisories  State Route 99 overnight lane closures planned The Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in cooperation with Brosamer & Wall Inc., announces single-lane overnight lane closures on Northbound and Southbound State Route 99 starting the night of Tuesday, January 19, in the City of Bakersfield as part of the Bakersfield 99 Rehab Project. The following changes will occur, weather permitting: Above: A crane lowers the new modular restroom and shower at the Bakersfield Homeless Center. Left: A look inside the classroom that will be converted into a dormitory for 40 beds. These projects are expected to be completed by the end of February. General Information Jan. 15, 2021 Page 4    Northbound State Route 99 and Southbound State Route 99 will be reduced to 1 lane just north of Olive Drive starting Tuesday, January 19, through Friday, January 22, between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. each night. o The length of the closure will be approximately 0.25 miles. o This closure will not affect the ramps at Olive Drive and Norris Road. Commuters are encouraged to follow Caltrans District 6 on social media for the most up-to-date information regarding closures for this project. Caltrans wants to remind drivers to stay attentive and undistracted while driving and to be cognizant of workers and vehicles in Construction and Maintenance Areas and slow down while driving through Work Zones. Caltrans would like to thank residents and commuters for their patience during this project and remember to please “Slow for the Cone Zone.”  Nighttime closure planned on California Avenue A nighttime closure has been scheduled for California Avenue. The closure will be in both directions on California Avenue at Easton Drive from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on January 21. The closure is needed to install false work. During the closure, westbound traffic will be routed north onto Oak Street, west onto Truxtun Avenue and south onto Mohawk Street, traveling back to California Avenue. Eastbound traffic will be routed north onto Mohawk Street, east onto Truxtun Avenue and south onto Oak Street, traveling back 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.