February 29, 2008
 
TO:   Honorable Mayor and City Council
 
FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager
 
SUBJECT: General Information
 

Although very little precipitation fell in Bakersfield, last weekend’s series of storms brought plenty of rain and snow to the mountains above Lake Isabella – enough to boost the forecast of Kern River snowmelt runoff to 108% of normal for the 2008 season.  That is up from the 93% that was forecast on February 1st.  Should the current forecast be realized, the Kern River would flow close to its long-term average for the first time in nearly 45 years.  Truly a stream of “feast or famine”, the Kern River water supply outlook for 2008 comes on the heels of a dismal 26% of normal yield in 2007.  Up north, the State Water Project water allocation remains at 35% of contractor’s requests despite a week-long period of northern Sierra storm activity.
 
Enclosed is a memo from the Economic Development Director providing an update on the status of the wet play area project at Casa Loma Park.
 
Mill Creek update – The brick pilasters are being built and most of them will be finished by today with the remainder finished next week.  Also, some additional improvements on 21st Street were completed this week.  Attached are some photos of the pilasters and the pond with higher water flow.
 
Please remember that I will be on vacation the week of March 3rd – 7th and John Stinson will be in charge.
 
The Streets Division work schedule for the week of March 3rd is enclosed.
 
Responses to Council requests are enclosed, as follows:
 
Councilmember Benham
Repair of street light located on south side of 20th Street;
 
Councilmember Couch
Response to correspondence requesting a mandatory recycling program; and,
Resident’s concerns about trees, weeds, and trash near Ashe and Stockdale.