OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER December 8, 2017 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council AT FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information Notable Items The Bakersfield Fire Department has deployed 19 firefighters assigned to six (6) Fire Engines to the Thomas Fire that is located in Ventura County, California. The BFD Firefighters are battling this devastating 132,000-acre firestorm alongside firefighters from many other firefighting agencies. Strong Santa Ana winds continue to influence this fast-moving fire, which began Monday night. 150+ structures have been reported destroyed already, but more are expected. Up-to-date incident information is available on the Cal Fire website at fire.ca.gov. Our thoughts are with those impacted by these devastating fires. Rye Thomas Creek Skirball Photo dated 12-7-2017 courtesy of the Cal Fire 2017 Statewide Fire Map available at fire.ca.gov General Information December 8, 2017 Page 2 We received the 3rd quarter 2017 sales tax distribution figures earlier this week. There was double-digit growth of 13.22% when compared to the same quarter last year. This is the first time in 4.5 years the City has seen double digit quarter over prior year quarter sales tax growth. This is good news; however, the 3rd quarter of 2016 was abnormally low in terms of sales tax activity, which makes the percentage growth look more significant than in actuality. Looking back at 3rd quarter activity in 2015 paints a clearer picture, as sales tax revenue was nearly identical to the 2017 3rd quarter figure at just over $17 million. Although it is far better to have a quarter with growth than not to, the context still is that the past few years have not been good. It should be noted the long-term concerns outlined in the recent presentation to the City Council still hold true and we continue to project revenue growth that is not expected to meet cost increases staff is anticipating in the coming years. In a week or so we should have the breakdown by category so we will have a better understanding specific industry trends that are driving the growth. A memo with details and a graph showing trends from Finance Director Nelson Smith is attached. The City’s Downtown Parking Study will commence within the next few weeks. The kick-off meeting with Quantum Consulting took place at the end of November. The project deliverables include a final report on parking conditions as well as recommendations for efficient use of parking inventory and enforcement. The consultant was directed to keep in mind matters that will impact parking demand now as well as in the future; an example being the goal to increase residency downtown to 10,000 by 2030. The report should be completed by March 2018 with a formal presentation to council in April 2018. Prior to that, the consultant will be performing demand surveys and hosting a public meeting to provide information to the downtown community. Our city’s holiday spirit has caught the attention of some national press recently. A December 4th article from the Huffington Post titled, “Bakersfield, California, the Undiscovered Destination (even for Christmas),” provides a thorough and glowing review of the area’s yuletide offerings. The travel writer cites the top rankings these holiday attractions have received from publications such as Trip Advisor and the LA Times. In addition to the holiday theme, the article points out many other local attractions for visitors to explore, ending the article with, “But go to Kern County with an adventurous mind and you can create your own magic anywhere.” The article was also picked up by another publication, the Chattanoogan, demonstrating the pull the City’s attractive amenities have to visitors near and far. General Information December 8, 2017 Page 3 The water flow will be shut down at Mill Creek until after the New Year for maintenance repairs. This includes the fountains along Mill Creek. Traffic Advisories State Routes 58 and 99 - Nighttime Closures for Next Week The following work will require nighttime lane and ramp closures on State Routes 58 and 99 for the week of December 10. These closures will be in place between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. while work is performed. The contractor plans to continue concrete placement for the roadway along northbound State Route 99 near Ming Avenue. This work will require the closure of the Ming Avenue off-ramp and the two outside northbound lanes in the vicinity of the off-ramp. Work will also be underway on State Route 58 in the vicinity of Union Avenue. The work includes concrete paving for the roadway, sign installation, and electrical work and will affect both directions of travel. The eastbound Union Avenue off-ramp and westbound Union Avenue on- and off-ramps, as well as the two outside travel lanes adjacent to these ramps will need to be closed for this work. At least one lane will remain open to motorists in all areas while these work items are underway. Please stay alert and watch for construction workers and equipment while driving through the construction zone. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any inconvenience this work may cause the traveling public. For project information, please visit our website at www.BakersfieldFreeways.us. General Information December 8, 2017 Page 4 Reports Streets Division work schedule for the week of December 11th Event Notifications Event calendar for the Rabobank Arena Theater and Convention Center Scott S. Smith, Contributor Freelance Journalist Bakersfield, California, the Undiscovered Destination (even for Christmas) 12/04/2017 07:06 pm ET Bakersfield in Kern County a couple of hours north of Los Angeles might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think about going somewhere to celebrate Christmas (whether the sacred or secular version or other seasonal holidays like Hannukah, Diwali, or Kwanzaa). Traditional carols that conjure up caroling in the snow don’t quite fit a place that lives up to its name June through September with temperatures in the 90s. And outsiders don’t seem to think this county seat is much of a destination otherwise. It merits two paragraphs in the AAA Tour Book Guide to Southern California, noting that it is a “marketing center for oil, natural gas and farm products” and for having an annual hot rod race nearby (no doubt very hot). The rest of the county fares worse. AAA plugs the tours of wind-generating turbines as the highlight of Tehachapi. The Ridgecrest listing only mentions hotels, without providing a reason to stay over. Kernville does earn a paragraph about water recreation on Lake Isabella and the Kern River, though people regularly drown in the latter (nearly 300 since 1968). I only discovered that Kern County is the most overlooked destination in the state when I dropped by its booth at a travel show and was surprised by the enthusiasm of advocates (try to get their impressive publications for visitors—see Resources below). Few outsiders realize that the average high for its largest city from October to April is usually 56° to 79° (and May is only 83°). And there is a lot more to do than anyone could cram into one long vacation, regardless of preferred activity (see “Many Other Things” sidebar). Christmas for the Kid in All of Us I picked a few places in and near Bakersfield to visit with holiday themes from the long list on the city’s events website that includes two parades, decorated home tours, two Breakfast with Santa fundraisers, multiple “Nutcracker” ballets, the Master Chorale Christmas, as well as Fox Theater’s “Irish Christmas” and “Acoustic Krab Christmas.” California Living Museum The California Living Museum www.calmzoo.org 661/872-2256. CALM, as it is known, is a community zoo that takes in injured wild animals, with hundreds visitors can see that include mountain lions, condors, bears, owls, and beavers. It is also Tripadvisor’s No. 2 visitor favorite and has an extraordinary holiday lighting show 5:30-9 p.m. (normally open daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m.). Each year, over three million bulbs are used to create seasonal designs, requiring an astonishing amount of work. The Los Angeles Times rated this one of the top 10 holiday lights shows in the state (even better than Disneyland’s). All monies earned by this event go to improve this facility that saves so many animals and provides invaluable education. Murray Christmas on the Farm Down the road from CALM in Arvin was Murray Christmas on the Farm www.murrayfamilyfarms.com 661/330-0100. The Murray Family Farm is ranked by Tripadvisor the No. 4 visitor favorite for the Bakersfield area because of its popular spring and fall activities that entertain and educate the whole family. This is the second year Steve and Vicki Murray have reworked their unique rides, games, and mazes with a Christmas theme. Christmas Town Christmas Town www.christmastown.net 661/927-7353 has established itself as a local tradition, but moved to a new location this year: 3825 Riverlakes Drive in Bakersfield, open daily except Christmas Eve and Christmas until Dec. 31, Sun.-Thu. 5:30-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. until 10 p.m. (it will be at another location next year). It is another ideal place for the entire family, with millions of lights in holiday scenes to be seen on a hayride, sledding down a hill on real snow, a faux ice skating rink, paintball shooting at reindeer, a chance to have a (fake) snowball fight, holiday bounce houses, a train ride, light shows, and, of course, Santa and his helpers.