TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Executive Team
DATE: February 21, 2009
RE: ACTIVITY UPDATE – WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14-20, 2009
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
· No new items to report.
Economic Development/Redevelopment:
· Economic Development/Redevelopment Manager attended Chamber CEO Luncheon.
· Economic Development/Redevelopment Manager participated in a conference call along with staff and representatives of several other jurisdictions with our Economic Development Administration contact in Seattle, WA. The purpose of the call was to find out how to make local projects more competitive and take advantage of additional Federal funds that may come from the Stimulus package.
Housing Program Services:
· The Housing Division was informed by HUD that the City of Turlock is one of the eighteen Valley Cities that will be the first eligible to receive Energy Block Grants directly under the Stimulus Bill. The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, under the SJV Partnership for the SJ Valley, will be assisting in obtaining the funds and connecting them to other energy, housing, employment provisions of the stimulus bill and other state and federal programs.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
· The Interim City Manager and Director of Development Services met with a representative of Gould Medical Center regarding their desire to have a median cut in Christoffersen to serve ambulance service to its proposed urgent care facility at the corner of Golden State Blvd and Christoffersen Parkway. While a median cut would not be in conformance with our General Plan Transportation Element, the idea of an additional driveway connection to Golden State may relieve the need for the median cut. The Gould Medical representative was to discuss this option with their Architect. It is Gould Medicals desire to relocate its current operation at the corner of Colorado and E. Main to this location.
Planning Division:
· No new items to report.
Capital Improvement Projects:
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Capital Projects under construction
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$ 27,880,226.91
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Completed Capital Projects
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$6,244,464.51
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Number of Capital Projects currently under construction
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17
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Number of Completed Capital Projects
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10
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Total of Capital Projects budgeted for FY 08/09
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$77,821,836.00
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Projects in Construction
· Golden State and Tuolumne Road Signal, Contract Amount $1,786,903.95: Teichert installed concrete between storm systems this week but the paving has been delayed. The railroad notified Teichert that due to previously scheduled work with other agencies, they will not return until March 17th. Legally we cannot work within the railroads right of way with out their flaggers on site.
· Water Reservoirs and Pump Stations, Contract Amount $6,144,300.00: The coating will be applied to the tank on Kilroy Road starting next week. Pressure testing of the pipes on site will also commence next week.
· CNG Slow Fill Station, Contract Amount $216,542.00: We have submitted plans to the Building Department for their review.
· Fire Station #1 Parking Lot, Contract Amount $436,327.85: Due to bad weather, the contractor had to postpone the removal of the storm water chambers.
· Traffic Signal at Orange & South Avenue, Contract Amount $178,213.00: All four ramps have been poured and the controller cabinet has been installed.
· Interim Police Evidence Facility, Contract Amount $1,004,810.00: Landscaping has started and the contractor is working on the finish details. Occupancy is expected to be by the end of the month.
· Commercial Water Meters, Contract Amount $1,031,945.00: A pre-construction meeting was held and the contractor is ordering the meters.
· Trench Repair 08/09, Contract Amount $142,489.00: The contractor is now working on Orange Street.
· Antenna at Fire Station No. 1, Contract Amount $77,876.64: Submitted plans to the building department.
· RFP’s – Landscape/Signage Beautification Project: Staff has selected Gates & Associates out of San Ramon, California and will take to council for their approval.
· Tennis Court Resurfacing at Columbia Park, Contract Amount $17,505.00: In the contract stage.
· Renovations at Columbia Park: The engineer’s estimate for this project was $330,000. The apparent low bidder is Harris Builders of Hilmar with a bid of $207,500.00. This will go to council for approval on March 10th.
· Broadway Sidewalk, Contract Amount $158,593.00: The contractor will finish the wiring of the street lights this week and then TID will come in to make the final connection.
· Fire Station #4 Roof Repair: In the contract stage.
· Kilroy and N Walnut Road Pump Stations: Out to bid, opening on February 26th.
· Columbia Park Play Area: Out to bid, opening on March 5th.
Projects in Design
· West Main Street and Fransil Signal: Working on acquiring right of way.
· Colorado and Monte Vista Signal Interconnect: Waiting for authorization from Cal Trans, this is expected to be in March.
· City Hall Projects: Staff is creating a Request for Proposal.
· Water Line Replacement: Working on the improvement plans.
· Sewer Line Replacement: Working on the improvement plans.
· Well #40: The Planning Division is reviewing plans for a Minor Administrative Amendment.
· Prop 1B Overlays: Engineers have identified 52 trees to be removed from the Canal Drive median between Geer Road and Main Street for the reconstruction of Canal Drive.
· Slurry Seal for Assessment Districts
Traffic & Transit
· The Federal Transit Administration review will be held at the end of April. Staff is gathering pertinent paperwork that is required for the audit.
· Staff is attending meetings with STANCOG pertaining to the amount of funds the city will be receiving since the passage of the Stimulus package.
Land Development
· The Land Development team has been working with Turlock Park Villas Subdivision and Cottage Park Subdivision developers to take these subdivisions to City Council for Notice of Completion on February 24th.
Active Submittals in process
· 13 – Improvement Plans
· 7 – Parcel Maps
· 16 – Subdivision Maps
· 3 – Lot Line Adjustment
· 6 – Road Dedications / Public Utility Easements
· 1- Abandonment
· 16 – Approved Plans waiting for permits to be issued
· 1 – Capital Project
Land Surveying
· The survey crew has been working on the following projects.
ü Additional topography, boundary work and plotting for City Project #0869 – Canal Drive Reconstruction.
ü Topography and boundary work for City Project #0848 – Water Line Replacement Fiscal Year 08-09.
ü Review of Summerfield #2 map.
ü Review of road dedication and public utility easements for U.S. Cold Storage on Fransil Lane.
Building & Safety
· Among the 36 building permits applied for this week:
ü 599 Almond Ave – New warehouse building (future bakery)
ü 4200 N Golden State Blvd – Vanillas shell improvements
· Among the 29 building permits issued this week:
ü 120 N Broadway – Tenant improvement “Cigarettes & More”
ü 1200 W Main St – Tenant improvement “Golden Valley Health Center”
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Utility Maintenance Division
Fleet Maintenance
Diagnosed and repaired vehicles/equipment for the following divisions and departments:
· Police – 42 work requests
· Transit bus – 34 work requests
· Public Facilities – 33 work requests
· Utility Maintenance – 17 work requests – Divisions included Electrical, Collection and Water
· Engineering – 1 work request
· PM’s Preventive Maintenance work requests – 34 which include, A’s, B’s, CHP’s, Mini’s, etc.
Water System Projects
· Installed a new 1” water service, with new meter, at a new location at 1620 Merritt
· Installed new lock box on the water service at 344 Angelus
· Collected bacti samples on the fire hydrant at Roberts & Adams and at 866 Alpha
· Collected a bacti sample an the DCDA at 950 Colombia
· Checked and replaced non-working End Points at various locations with West Valley
· Gathered material and prepared CL2 injection pumps for installation at all Well sites
· Replaced the 4” water meter at 3301 Fosberg
· Installed 4 new 1” water meters at 2431, 2441, 2461 & 2481 Cypress Point
· Abandoned 1” water service and 4” sewer service at 490 Starr
Sewer and Storm System Projects
· Repaired the 4” sewer service, replaced 15 ft and installed a clean out at 3101 Andre
· Repaired 4 ft of the 6” sewer main line in front of 2201 Arbor
· Cleaned the sewer service at 267 Villa, light roots
· Cleared a sewer stoppage on the service at 353 E. Olive
· Cleaned the storm line for 500 W. Hawkeye
· Checked the storm pumps at 14 locations
· Ran water during storm and pumped storm water at various locations
· Installed a sewer clean-out at 2281 Arbor
· Cleaned 10,246 ft of existing sewer main line , Monthly Maint list and for televising
· Televised 3,828 ft of existing sewer line in Grid D-7
Electrical/Mechanical Projects
· Fabricated 25 LMI pump stands for well sites.
· Removed wood and plastic chain from float lines for flotator 3.
· Removed gearbox from hycor #4.
· Replaced air compressor at Summerfaire storm pond.
· Troubleshoot rotork valve for heat exchanger 2 at the acid phase building.
· Replaced wear bars for hycor 4.
· Completed weekly WQC cleaning and calibrations.
· Completed weekly sewer lift checks. Pulled pumps at sewer 54 and 9.
· Completed USA’s and street light work orders.
Recreation Division:
· Per direction of Administrative staff, the Recreation Division Manager and staff developed budget reduction options for Recreation programs. Staff is reviewing and will be making recommendations to revise the current MSI fees in an effort to increase revenue.
· Recreation Division Manager attended meeting of the Turlock Community Collaborative. The Collaborative is working on redefining their goals and objectives. Division Manager participated on work groups pertaining to the Mental Health Services Act. Recreation Annual report has been placed on the City Web-site, Recreation Home Page.
· Staff attended a Board meeting for CPRS District V. Staff attended meetings of the Mayors Gang task Force and Stanislaus County Department of Education. Staff is preparing 3rd quarter site reports and evaluations for 5 ASES after school programs. Staff is working with school site personnel in an effort to increase day school participation and instructors in After school programs.
· There are currently 70 part-time employees working in the After school programs. These individuals are providing valuable mentoring, education and leadership programs to over 1,000 youth per day. Parents continually state that the programs are assisting them by engaging youth in positive activities while they are working.
· Staff is preparing information to be included in the Recreation Division Activity Guide for the summer. Cool Hand Luke’s has purchased the back page of the guide to advertise the restaurant. They are also interested in sponsoring other programs at Pedretti Park. Staff is working with other like establishments in an effort to increase revenue through advertisements and sponsorships.
· From 2/09/ 09 to 02/15/09 net revenue received from activities and programs was $13,479.00. A total of 332 new activity enrollments were processed.
Public Facilities Maintenance Division:
· Public Facilities Maintenance Manager and staff worked on budget reductions and updating the current MSI fees for building revenues.
Parks
· Christoffersen Park – Pruned 22 Redwood trees in the park.
· Christoffersen & Walnut Basin – Crews had to install chains and locks at all 5 entrances to the pump station due to vandalism.
· Four Seasons Park – Cleaned graffiti from table in the covered picnic area.
· Ferreira Ranch Park – The fire panel on the playground equipment had to be removed and replaced due to vandalism.
· Pedretti Park – In preparation of the opening season for hard ball and softball at the complex, staff mowed and prepped fields, moved pitching rubbers from 43’ to 40’, worked on score boards and panels, worked on new ADA sidewalk and driveway, worked on walk way at main entry, fixed fabric on dug outs, painted foul lines, tie wired all fences, and fixed leak in men’s restroom.
· Summerfaire Park – Cleaned graffiti from playground area, placed wood chips around trees, and repaired sprinkler valves and main irrigation line due to vandalism.
· Turlock Regional Sports Complex – In preparation of opening season for soccer and softball, staff prepped ball fields and soccer fields and preformed general maintenance throughout the complex.
· Crews continue to do general maintenance, mowing, blowing, edging, weeding, irrigation repairs, cleaning, rake soft fall and playground safety inspections daily at all City Parks and ponds.
Streets
· Crews built 2 new Transportation Bus Shelters for the following locations at N. Olive and Wayside and Crane Park, repaired potholes using 2 tons of hot mix and ¾ ton of cold mix, pruned tree limbs back from signs in Zones 1, 2 and 5 due to safety issues that staff noticed during the Leaf Pickup Program.
· Crews repaired and replaced 26 miscellaneous street signs throughout the City and cleaned several islands on N. Golden State between N. Walnut and Taylor Rd., responded to ‘End Speed Limit’ sign down on westbound Monte Vista near N. Tegner, sign down on Fulkerth near Highway 99, overhead street name sign broken and causing a hazard at Monte Vista and Countryside, damage to railroad crossing sign and post at Main and First Street, bus stop shelter glass shattered at N. Olive and Wayside, warning sign down at W. Tuolumne and Dels, and roundabout sign damaged at S. Rose at Cottonwood.
Assessment District
· Crews cleaned up a 10’ section of block wall that was damaged on Sunday Drive due to a hit and run, removed signs and trash, re-staked and pruned trees on Christoffersen, placed wood chips in planters throughout the Northeast Basin, pruned planters at well sites, repaired sprinklers on the bike path, Paseo DeLeon, Auto Plaza and the Waring Pond.
Water Quality Control Division:
· The Regional Water Quality Control Facility is operating well. Preventative maintenance activities during this period were conducted by staff.
· On Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Staff collected the required weekly R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 samples.
· Staff drained, cleaned, and inspected the south section of the Chlorine contact tank on Tuesday February 10, 2009. The unit was put back into service on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.
· Contractors continued working on the Fuel Cell Project. The WQC Operations Division Manager and Supervisor met with representatives to discuss a two-day testing period starting Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
· The WQC Facility has encountered 405 days without a lost time accident.
Regulatory Affairs Division:
· Fair Sponsorship: Staff will be bringing a proposal to the city council to use grant funds to sponsor recycling and solid waste diversion activities at the county fair. The city receives funding from the State Department of Conservation for recycling outreach and education activities.
· Diesel Engines: Anti-idling Policy: Pursuant to State law, the city must adopt an “anti-idling” policy for its heavy duty diesel engines. As emergency vehicles are exempt, the policy would apply to Municipal Services vehicles. Basically, the idling of diesel engines would be limited to no more than five (5) minutes except under certain circumstances. All operators would have to be advised of the policy once adopted.
· Diesel Engines: Registration: To comply with state law, we have been in the process with registering our off-road heavy duty diesel vehicles and portable diesel engines with a state data base. The City is also required to adopt a compliance plan to reduce emissions from these vehicles and engines through early retirement or through the installation of particulate filters. Although not confirmed, the rumor is that the implementation of this requirement was delayed as part of the deal-making to get the State budget passed. Many of the large construction companies oppose the regulation as its implementation is expensive.
· PCE Funding: We are in the process of applying for reimbursement from the State for the funds expended from 2002-2006 related to the monitoring of the PCE plume in the downtown area. The State funds would reimburse the Water Enterprise Fund.
· American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Now that the federal “Stimulus Bill” has been signed, we are gathering data on funding opportunities. We may have to apply for funding for some of our water projects as early as next week.
· 2008 Biosolids Report: The annual biosolids report was completed and sent to USEPA. In 2008, 1,716 dry tons of biosolids were produced. Most of the material was applied to farmland in the El Nido (Merced County) area. Approximately, 126 tons was retained for the production of the City’s co-compost, “Nutrilock.”
FIRE SERVICES
Operations
· Fire Services responded to a total of 89 emergency calls for service between 2/13/09 and 2/18/09. The break-down of calls were as follows:
ü 60 EMS
ü 5 motor vehicle accidents
ü 2 smoke check
ü 4 public service/good intent
ü 1 power line
ü 2 smoke detector
ü 1 water/steam leak
ü 6 canceled enroute
ü 3 no patient contact
ü 1 chemical spill *
ü 1 false alarms
ü 3 alarm systems
* There was an Ammonia leak at the Turlock Cold Storage. A relief valve broke causing the leak of product from a 10,000 storage container with only about 1,000 gallons of product in the container; however product was still flowing into the container through the main system. DER (Department of Environmental Resources) and Stanislaus County HAZ-MAT were called out to the scene to assist with the mitigation of the incident. Five surrounding businesses had to be evacuated due to the leak and changing winds. The incident took just over 7 hours to mitigate. In the end, Turlock Cold Storage personnel were very happy with the services provided by TFD and the HAZ-MAT team. While taking every safety measure precaution, Fire personnel worked diligently to get them back into business, possibly saving them over a $1,500,000.00 of product. The personnel from the County HAZ-MAT did a fantastic job in working with the TFD personnel
Council Activity Update Information from February 7-13, 2009
· There was a fire on February 10th at 2:22 p.m. in a detached garage behind 813 E. Main St. The damage was estimated at $500.00 dollars and another $500.00 dollars in damage to the contents. The fire is suspicious, and under investigation. As crews were finishing the call they were dispatched to another residential structure fire at 1265 Pioneer. It was a duplex fire in one side of the duplex that spread to a storage shed in the back yard. The fire was accidental, and caused an estimated $50,000 dollars in damage to the structure, and another $10,000 dollars in damage to the contents.
Fire Administration:
· Engine 34 was involved in a vehicle accident on Tuesday, 2/24. The accident occurred in the intersection at Olive Ave. and Center St. Engine 34 was traveling through the intersection on Center St. when a vehicle traveling on Olive Ave. failed to stop at the red light. Fortunately, nobody was injured and the damage to the fire engine was limited to the passenger-side, rear tire/wheel and rear compartment door. Turlock Police responded and are in the process of completing the report.
POLICE SERVICES
Service Demands:
Calls for Service 2154
Criminal Investigations 212
Arrests 65
Land Calls 240
Wireless Calls 120
Incoming Admin Calls 2,151
Outgoing Calls 1,006
Grand Total of All Calls 3,517
Staffing Levels:
Sworn Personnel- 87
Deployed 75 (11 Officers: Field Training)
Vacancies 5
Non-Sworn Personnel 47
Deployed 45
Vacancies 2
Special Operations Division:
Investigations
· Investigators were called out to assist patrol with a stabbing that occurred in the 100 Block of Starr Ave. The male victim was transported to the hospital by medical personnel, but later died as a result of his injuries. The incident does not appear to be either gang or narcotics related. The victim’s Common-law wife was questioned and later arrested/booked for homicide.
· Several Investigators were in court the majority of the week for robbery cases, including the “Band-Aid Bandit.”
Animal Services
· No unusual incidents to report, however, Staff was able to adopt out 38 dogs this week.
Field Operations Division:
Significant Events and Trends
Traffic Unit
· The Traffic Unit Community Service Officer has been busy assisting tow companies with permit compliance. This has been a very time consuming process. She has also been working a Downtown Parking project.
Patrol Unit & Neighborhood Services
Kay Circle/Veek Drive
· Staff followed-up with a resident as to on-going calming measures implemented to assist the neighborhood. The resident indicated that two houses were vacated and with the vacancies, many of the problems disappeared. Neighborhood Services has continued to assist with some minor issues and the residents are working together to agree on measures to continue improving their quality of life.
Street Crime Unit
Burglary Ring Investigation
· The Street Crimes Unit has been busy identifying, locating, and apprehending a group of individuals identified as responsible for a series of residential burglaries. Working with the new Street Narcotics Unit, they were able to locate and make a high risk stop of an adult male, who was responsible for several burglaries and a home invasion robbery. The subject was on parole and considered a flight risk. A coordinated effort was undertaken to remove escape avenues and the subject was arrested without incident.
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