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Home My WebLink About02/26/21 CC AGENDA HIGHLIGHTSTHE SOUND OF, ji '6e4v AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS MARCH 3, 2021 COUNCIL MEETING 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 upcoming City Council meeting will have limited public access. Councilmembers may elect to attend remotely and the public may view a live video stream of the meeting at https://bakersfield.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/ or through the local government channel (Kern County Television). Detailed Public Participation Instructions are included in the Agenda package, and include opportunities to submit comments via Email, Voicemail or through in-person appearance (social distancing procedures will be in place). R E G U 11....A R.....C....TJ .................... . m. WORKSHOPS Item 3a. Bakersfield Police Department Community Collaborative (All Wards) Staff will present on the Bakersfield Police Department -Community Collaborative (BPD -CC) — an initiative to solicit and formalize community -sourced recommendations for policing reform, policing capacity, and building trust and greater partnership between BPD and the Bakersfield Community. • Item 3b. Council Policy and Procedure Manual (All Wards) At the request of Council, the City Attorney will present proposed changes to the Council Policy and Procedure Manual. R..EG U..11..A R.....ME.Ij............:.5:.::11,5. .m. WORKSHOPS Item 6a. California State Insurance Commissioner (All Wards) A representative for the California Insurance Commissioner's Office will provide a presentation to Council. CONSENT CALENDAR - ORDINANCES • Item 8c. Ordinance on housing definitions (All Wards) The proposed amendments to the Bakersfield Municipal Code update/add definitions for: Emergency Shelter, Supportive Housing, Target Population, and Transitional Housing to comply with current State of California regulation changes. CONSENT CALENDAR - AGREEMENTS • Item A Affordable Housing Strategy (All Wards) Senate Bill 2, the Building Homes and Jobs Act, implemented a $75 fee on real estate documents to create a new revenue source statewide to address housing needs. In order to implement this funding locally, the City received a planning grant to create streamlined housing approval processes and strategies to accelerate housing production. Staff recommends an agreement for $573,520 with ECONorthwest (EN) to complete a comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy and supporting programs to be completed in January 2022. EN has experience in housing -related data collection, community engagement, research, municipal ADU policy planning and policy analysis across the West Coast and in California. Item 8j -k. Economic Opportunity Area Incentive Program Applications (Ward 2) The City's Economic Opportunity Area Plan is a locally initiated program that uses tax increment financing to promote economic growth within specific geographic areas. Implementation of the Plan is anticipated to facilitate increased private sector investment that will in turn create more tax revenue, promote businesses growth, and generate jobs. • Birchfield CPA. The City has received an application from Birchfield CPA for their location at 432 Truxtun Avenue within the Downtown EOA. Birchfield CPA is a locally owned full-service CPA firm providing income tax services, payroll, and compliance services for residents in the community. Birchfield CPA has requested a $26,780 grant for a site improvement and rehabilitation grant to cover the costs of roofing improvements for exterior fagade improvements, which are eligible costs within the EOA Program Guidelines. Carpet Cave. The City has received an application from Carpet Cave for their new location at 2929 F Street within the Downtown EOA. In 2020 the locally owned carpet store lost their previous location due to a massive fire that completely destroyed the building; and is now requesting $82,814 in EOA funding for a site improvement and rehabilitation grant to cover the costs of roll -up security doors at all entrances and the installation of metal paneling for exterior fagade improvements, which are eligible costs within the EOA Program Guidelines. Additionally, the requested funding amount includes the costs associated with prevailing wages. Item 81. Emergency Rental Assistance Program (All Wards) The U.S. Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 established the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City's allocation is $11,421,297.99, and expires on December 31, 2021. Staff recommends a locally administered ERA program administered by the Housing Authority of the County of Kern (HACK). HACK was selected due to the organization's expertise managing past emergency housing assistance programs, including the City's 2020 CARES rental/mortgage assistance allocation; and long-standing relationships with organizations and landlords that can assist with implementing the program. HACK also administered the previous round of federal ERA funds for the City and has a database of recipients, placing them in a unique position to prevent duplication of federal benefits. ERA may be provided to City residents who meet the following qualifications: (1) Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; (2) Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and, (3) Has a household income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). In general, eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance and funds will be paid directly to landlords and utility service providers. Item 8m. 22nd Street Lofts Affordable Housing Project (Ward 2) The 22nd Street Lofts Limited Partnership was formed by HACK and Golden Empire Affordable Housing Inc. to establish a three-story residential structure with parking at 81122nd Street. The complex will be restricted to senior -citizens making 30% AMI or less, including 2 units set aside for homeless seniors. The total cost of construction is estimated to be $3,575000, while the total project is estimated to be $6,446,335. Staff recommends allocation of $1,250,950 in HOME Investment Partnership funds and $99,049 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds for this project. Item 8n. Commingled Recycling Program (Ward 2) The City sends approximately 12,000 tons of commingled recyclables per year to local sorting facilities. Metropolitan Recycling LLC (MRC) is the only sorting facility accepting these materials within the City. The City's three-year contract with MRC to accept City's mixed recyclables is coming to the end of its term and has reached the maximum allowable renewal options. An active agreement is necessary to continue moving the materials until ongoing rate negotiations with MRC are finalized. This agreement will be for a short period through April 30, 2021 and includes a temporary rate adjustment of $90 per clean ton and $125 per ton for contaminated loads for a total not to exceed $300,000. Staff recommends approval of this agreement. HEARINGS • Item 10b. Appeal regarding Department of Veterans Affairs community-based clinic (Ward ,;IL) The Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed a new 39,648 square foot medical outpatient clinic for Veterans of the United States military on the east side of Knudsen Drive, between Olive Drive and Hageman Road. The clinic would provide primary and specialty care services; including subspecialty clinics, audiology, physical and occupational therapy, and ancillary and diagnostic services. A ministerial "site plan review" and environmental review process was approved by Staff and the Planning Commission; however, the approvals were appealed by Hagan Law Group, LLP on behalf of their client Progress for Bakersfield Veterans, LLC. Staff recommends adoption of Resolutions denying the appeals. Approved: Jacqui Kitchen, Assistant City Manager - cc: Department Heads Prepared: Anthony Valdez, Administrative Analyst III City Manager's File City Clerk's File News Media File