HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/2021CC
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
March 26, 2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager
SUBJECT: General Information
Notable Items
➢On January 22, 2020, the Bakersfield City Council approved a one-time City
contribution of $500,000 for the operation of Kern County’s low barrier M Street
Navigation Center which opened on May 14, 2020 and is currently housing 75
residents. To date, there have been 43 placements of residents into permanent
housing from the M Street Navigation Center. Council requested two reports from the
County on how the operating funds were used. The first report from the County was
received in August 2020 and the second and final report can be found attached.
➢The City held two Clean City
Initiative pop-up bulky item
drive-thru events last weekend,
one in the parking lot of Aera
Park and the other at a new
location, the parking lot at the
Bakersfield Municipal Airport on
South Union Avenue (right).
Between the two locations,
more than 20,000 pounds of
trash was collected, as well as 23
mattresses and 5,360 pounds of
wood.
These events – made possible
thanks to the Public Safety &
Vital Services (PSVS) Measure –
launched at the beginning of
the year and have been well-
received by the public. Nearly
135 tons have items have been
General Information
March 26, 2021
Page 2
collected through these events so far. More of these events are expected to be
announced on the City’s website and social media accounts in the near future.
➢ In addition to the pop-up events, the Solid Waste Division also offers a free curbside
large item pickup service. Residents can make an appointment with the City to have
two large items picked up from in front of their home at no charge once every three
months. Appointments can be made by calling 661-326-3114. This service is also
available to businesses for a fee starting at $45.70.
➢ A major project to upgrade the
Council Chambers’ broadcast
system is underway! Work started
on Friday, March 19, with crews
removing all of the old broadcast
and audio/video equipment, of
which most was installed in the
late 1990s, with various additions
and changes made in the years
since. Included in that process
was the removal of the table tops
for the Council dais, as well as
staff, clerk and media seating
areas and the public lectern.
The project – which was awarded
to local company Pacific West
Sound – includes installing a new
modern high-definition broadcast
quality system, additional lighting,
new microphones, speakers and
displays for the public and
Council to view presentations. The
upgrades also include enhanced
functionality for virtual meeting
attendance, which has become
more important during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result of this work, the chambers will not be available for use for the City Council
meetings on April 21. Those meetings will be held in the County Supervisors Chambers
at the County Administrative Building. The first scheduled meeting in the Council
Chambers following the completed project is set for May 6.
➢ In response to a request by City Council to develop a neighborhood traffic calming
program and strategies, the City’s Public Works Department applied for a California
Office of Traffic Safety grant in January. If awarded, this grant would fund a
comprehensive traffic calming study for the City in order to improve city-wide
coordination of traffic calming strategies, increase bicycle and pedestrian safety,
General Information
March 26, 2021
Page 3
and provide a well-defined toolkit for the City and community.
The study would also explore strategies for addressing speeding, develop and
implement recommendations with the input from the community, and identify areas
of concern for future action. The City received a letter of support from Kern Council
of Governments and staff notified Kern COG of our grant application. Applications
are under review until May of 2021 and applicants will be notified of a decision by
June 2021. The City's application is still under review.
➢ The Public Safety & Vital Services (PSVS) Citizens Oversight Committee met on
Thursday, March 25, to begin the process of reviewing budget proposals for Fiscal Year
2021-22. City staff provided an overview of the measure’s revenue projections, as well
as $77.9 million in Fiscal Year 22 budget proposals, including:
• Adding 28 sworn positions to the Bakersfield Police Department and 100
additional non-sworn support staff;
• Four new Recreation & Parks Rapid Response Team crew members;
• More than $4.6 million in neighborhood parks projects;
• New or expanded funding for economic and community development
activities;
• Freeway Corridor Beautification program to enhance highways through
the City.
Staff’s full presentation – as well as past budget documents and presentations – are
available to the public on the City’s PSVS webpage.
The Committee is expected to meet twice more – April 9 and a second, yet to be
determined April date – before making its final recommendations to the City Council
as part of the City’s budget approval process.
➢ On Wednesday, March 24, the Bakersfield Police Department’s Bomb Squad and the
Community Relations Unit prepared and delivered 29 Easter Baskets to visually
impaired children (right and below). This
replaced our annual Audible Easter Egg
General Information
March 26, 2021
Page 4
Hunt. This collaboration with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools is in its
third year. Last year was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, in order
to try and engage in a safe way, it was decided to deliver the baskets to children
who would have participated. Each basket was customized with age appropriate
books in braille, Easter eggs with the children’s names written in braille, and goodies
that would appeal to their other senses.
➢ Tonight, the Recreation & Parks Department is hosting a FREE Movie in the Park night
for families at Kaiser Permanente Sports Village! The movie – Disney’s “The Jungle
Book” (2016) – will start at dusk. Attendees are asked to bring their own picnic gear –
lawn chairs and blankets are allowed – and Recreation & Parks staff has marked off
“social distance” sections in the park to make sure groups can maintain at least six
feet from others. Those sections can hold up to eight people from the same
household. Attendees are also asked to wear masks when they enter, exit and if they
leave their section.
➢ Throughout the year, staff carefully reviews all opportunities to reduce costs and
increase efficiencies within the refuse operations. As discussed during recent Council
meetings, staff has continued to hold refuse rates to some of the lowest among cities
throughout the state. Based on several factors, including private haulers contract
increases, wood chip disposal costs, recycling costs and the pending implementation
of requirements under SB1383, it has been determined that a 5 percent rate increase
for Fiscal Year 2021-22 is necessary to fund proposed operating and capital
improvements within the refuse operations. Rates for a single-family dwelling are
proposed to increase from $223 to $234.
If approved, the City’s refuse rates will continue to be amongst the lowest in the state.
Attached is a comparison of current residential refuse rates for comparable cities. The
analysis that went into developing the proposed rate structure for next fiscal year
includes the projected savings from the purchase of the BARC facility for recycling
materials processing. Absent this action by the Council, the proposed increase was
likely to be greater. As additional background, the City did not increase refuse rates
from FY 2009-10 to FY 2014-15. Staff is moving forward with the appropriate noticing
requirements and is scheduled to bring this item to the City Council in a required
public hearing in June.
Traffic Advisories
➢ Closures planned on the bike path near Stockdale Highway
Multiple closures along the bike path at Stockdale Highway are planned for Tuesday,
March 30 as Streets Division crews work to complete improvements in the area.
The bike path will be realigned on the west side of Stockdale Highway, and the south
side entrance to the bike path will be repaved.
This work is expected to be performed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 30 and will
require the following closures (also indicated on the first attached map):
General Information
March 26, 2021
Page 5
• The bike path entrance on the south side of Stockdale Highway will be
closed;
• Eastbound traffic on the path will not be permitted starting 400 feet west
of the Stockdale Highway Bridge;
• Westbound traffic on the path will not be permitted starting 100 feet
east of the bridge.
On March 29, the Street Division will perform preparation work in the area, though
the bike path will remain open during that time.
The planned new alignment is marked on the second attached map.
The City of Bakersfield’s Streets Division thanks the public for its understanding and
cooperation during the completion of these improvements.
Reports
➢ M Street Navigation Center contribution report from the County of Kern.
➢ Recreation & Parks Department Rapid Response Team Report, March 20, 2021.
➢ PG&E request for financing through recovery bonds notice.
Events
➢ Movie in the Park: Disney’s “The Jungle Book” (2016), Friday, March 26 at Kaiser
Permanente Sports Village. The movie starts at dusk.
➢ Live Stream Vaccine: The Second Dose: Thee Illusions, Western Medicine, and
Stephanie Soul, 7 p.m. Friday, March 26.
COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF KERN
DIVISION/PROGRAM MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT
1
Program: M Street Navigation Center Month/Year: December 2020
Program Manager:
Laurie Hughey
Program Staffing: 16
Division/Director: Community Development/
Sheila Shegos
A total of 93 homeless individuals were served from the following zip codes:
Zip Code Number of
Residents
Zip Code Number of
Residents
93301 15 93241 1
93302 1 90044 1
93304 3 93263 1
93305 10 95728 1
93306 2 93268 1
93307 6 95687 1
93308 7 46368 1
93309 1 78521 1
93311 2 76179 1
93313 2 Unspecified 44
93205 1
93516 1
95618 1
93215 2
M Street Partner Highlights:
Kern Behavioral Health & Recovery Services – Starting Substance Use Disorder/SUD services soon.
City Serve and Bakersfield College – City Serve completed life skills training courses for 14 residents of the Navigation
Center. The class was extended to 5 weeks in preparation for the Project Hire-Up cohort #3 starting in Jan 2021.
Kern County Animal Services – Start date 12/18/2020 (targeted opening).
Other Highlights:
• M Street has 538 social media followers.
• The Christmas Holiday meal was sponsored by Gazelle Transportation, and December activities sponsored by
LeBeau Thelen. Volunteers from City Serve, Flood, county and Navigation staff helped to make this holiday
very special for the M Street residents. Jim, Riley and Robin Mangarin Scott, took time away from their busy
schedules to serve the holiday meal.
• Staff training with Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services for December; Self Care Pt 1 & 2
Successes - 7 residents received keys to their forever homes! ESG Cares contract awarded to expand homeless
prevention and rapid re-housing programs; M Street facilities, on-call shelter worker, program educator, vehicle and
driver for resident transportation.
Challenges – One resident tested positive for COVID and in the hospital, 2nd resident in hospital pending results;
organizations are not fully operational, low-income housing availability has diminished, businesses are not fully
operational which slows down the process of securing vital documents.
Needs – Additional shelter worker for shift-vacancies, computers/WIFI, public telephone for residents.
Goals – Maintain census of 60 residents during COVID restrictions (not met); 3 resident exits per month to
permanent housing (met); decrease in resident exits in the first 30-days by 10% of capacity or 6 residents -- for
reasons other than permanent housing (not met).
COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF KERN
DIVISION/PROGRAM MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT
2
PROGRAM DELIVERABLES: Dec
2020
Nov
2020
Oct
2020
Sept
2020
August
2020
July
2020
June
2020
May
2020
M Street Overnight Residents
(Includes exits)
107 114 105 81 88 110 182 36
Total Meals Served 3144 3176 2324 2693 2543 2313 1294 505
Assigned Beds 61 57 59 50 50 49 48 36
Open/Available Beds 0 3 1 2 2 1 16 25
Volunteers 28 44 27 27 24 21 18 5
Volunteer Service Hours 147 150 118.75 85.25 183.75 285 124.25 16
Donations, Monetary $50 $1050 $50 $220 0 0 0 --
Donations, In-Kind: essential items, hats, gloves, underwear, eyeglasses, art supplies, coats, fleece throws, bath
towels, t-shirts, snack chips and socks.
Exits, Permanent Housing 7 6 3 3 4 3 3 0
Exits, Voluntary, Involuntary 45 57 47 33 39 24 24 9
Total Critical Incidents 16 22 29 40 48 38 42 8
Showers 170 450 201 645 594 1232 181 --
Case Management Services
*COVID impacts
86 *53 123 139 136 440 100 --
DHS Services Enrollment
• Cal Fresh / Food Stamps 2 0 0 9 3 2 9 --
MOVIE BEGINS AT DUSK FRIDAY NIGHT, MARCH 26TH. BRING YOUR PICNIC GEAR, LAWN
CHAIRS, BLANKETS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS! SNACKS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THIS EVENT IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
MOVIE IN THE PARK
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ASKED TO MAINTAIN 6 FEET
SOCIAL DISTANCING FROM OTHER PARTICIPANTS. PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU HAVE ANY COVID-19
SYMPTOMS.
MARCH 26TH
KAISER PERMANENTE SPORTS VILLAGE
Lets get Wild!
The Jungle Book
$220
$223
$263
$270
$271
$274
$278
$286
$286
$304
$312
$320
$331
$331
$346
$375
$383
$383
$404
$420
$440
$492
$508
$530
$539
$540
$581
$597
$601
$623
$752
$917
$1,213
$1,408
$1,631
$- $200.00 $400.00 $600.00 $800.00 $1,000.00 $1,200.00 $1,400.00 $1,600.00 $1,800.00
Glendale
City of Bakersfield
Palm Springs
Kern CountyAnaheim
Oceanside
Chino Hills
Visalia
Santa ClaritaCorona
San Bernardino
Redding
Sanger
Chula VistaVictorville
Ontario
Pomona
Oxnard
TorranceGarden Grove
Modesto
Pasadena
Riverside
Sacramento
San Francisco
Merced
Santa MariaStockton
ClovisBurbank
Fremont
Santa Rosa
Alameda
San Jose
Oakland
Refuse Rate Survey Annual 2020*
* Numbers are rounded to the nearest dollar
-NOT PRIVATIZED
-PRIVATIZED
-BAKERSFIELD
RRT Weekly Report
For the week of 3/14/21-3/20/2021
City Council and/or Public Requests
• None
City Source Requests
• None
Projects Completed by RRT
1. City in the Hills Park (playground shade sail)
• The RRT removed a busted shade sail cable from the shade structure at west
playground due to a strong windstorm. The shade sail fabric was placed into
storage awaiting new replacement cable.
• Work began and was completed on 3/16/2021.
2. Golden State Avenue Bridge (encampment clean-up)
• The RRT along with Code Enforcement cleaned-up a homeless encampment
located under the Golden State Bridge.
• 1 large site was addressed.
• Trash loads were placed inside a roll off trash bin that was provided by the Solid
Waste Dept.
• Work began and was completed on 3/17/2021.
3. Planz Park (new pipe gate)
• The RRT fabricated and installed a new pipe gate at Planz Park at the service road
entrance to prevent unauthorized vehicles from driving into the park.
• Work began on 3/12/2021 and was completed on 3/18/2021.
4. Calloway Dr. and Manhattan Dr. (block wall repairs)
• The RRT pressured washed, prepped, and re-painted the block wall and sub-
division sign corner entrances of Calloway Dr. and Manhattan Dr.
• Work began on 3/18/2021 and was completed on 3/20/2021.
5. Chester Avenue (bollard post relocation)
• The RRT relocated and installed new bollard posts on the west side of Chester Ave.
bike path adjacent to Uplands of the Kern River.
• Work began on 3/19/2021 and was completed on 3/20/2021
Miscellaneous
1. Wayside Park (fire damage repairs)
• The RRT continued with the bathroom repairs working on removing old paint from
the fire damaged partitions and inside walls. The roof repairs have been
complete.
• The work began on 2/21/2021 and will continue until completed.
2. Chester Avenue (barrier installation)
• The RRT created a dirt barrier along the existing bollard posts on the east side of
Chester Ave. across from Uplands of the Kern River, to prevent unauthorized
vehicles from accessing the bike path.
• Work began and was completed on 3/17/2021.
3. Railroad between Stine Rd and Ashe Rd (encampment clean-up)
• The RRT assisted Code Enforcement with utilizing the front loader to clean up
encampment trash/debris into a roll off bin provided by Solid Waste Dept.
• Work began and was completed on 3/20/2021.
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.
2. Greystone Park (trash enclosure modification)
• RRT will schedule fabrication of a new cover on the existing trash enclosure.
3. McMurtrey Aquatics Center (wrought iron fence modification)
• The RRT will schedule wrought iron fence modification on west side concession
area to prevent illegal entry.
4. Wayside Park (fire damage repairs)
• The RRT staff started the demolition and repair of the fire damaged bathrooms
due to vandalism at Wayside Park on 2/9/2021 and will continue work this week.
Weekly Data:
Assignment
Locations Job Description Date Man Hours Equip/Hours
Misc.
Cost
Weight Approx.
lbs.
Wayside Park Fire Damage Remodel
3/14/2021
3/15/2021
3/16/2021
3/17/2021
40
50
53
41
40
30
37.5
24
$ 0
$165.46
$3823.022
0
0
City in the Hills Removed damaged shade sail
from above main playground. 3/16/2021 5 2.5 0 0
Kern Riverbed Encampment clean-up 3/17/2021 30 20 0 0
Planz Park New pipe gate project.
3/12/2021
3/13/2021
3/18/2021
12
26
35
9
19.5
35
$738.02
0
$429.06
0
Calloway Dr. &
Manhattan Dr.
Residential sign entrances and
block wall paint project.
3/18/2021
3/20/201
5
28
5
21.5
0
$365.40
0
0
North Chester Bollard post project. 3/19/2021
3/20/2021
40
7
30
3.5
$444.81
0
0
0
Stine Rd & Ashe
Rd.
Illegal encampment trash clean-
up. 3/20/2021 5 5 0 0
Totals: Projects Completed: 7 377 282.5 $5,965.97 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.
Training
• None
See attached pictures below
Wayside Park Fire Damage Repairs
Golden State Ave. Bridge – Encampment Clean-up
Planz Park – New Pipe Gate Installation
Calloway Dr. and Manhattan Dr. – Block Wall Repair
Chester Avenue West Side Bollard Post Relocation