FINDINGS:
Finding #1.
The City does not have a process to routinely review traffic patterns across the City, which can lead to citizens' complaints about congestion and speeding.
CITY – Disagrees. Public Works traffic division staff constantly monitors and make s adjustments to improve traffic timing and patterns through their new software and traffic center.
Finding #2.
For over 26 years, Public Works has not increased Traffic Engineering staff levels. This can cause numerous long -term problems, including long waits for new project approvals, reliance upon less -skilled positions to take up the slack, and an inability to proactively respond before citizens complain.
CITY – Agrees with clarification . S ome responsibilities have been transferred to other Public Works Divisions, including the installation of new traffic signals and adaptive signal installations. Cameras and newer software have also allowed some work requests to be completed instantaneously in the office, whereas those work requests used to require an employee to go out into the field.
Finding #3.
The City may be losing trained engineers and staff to other regions and companies due to higher pay scales and/or lower workloads.
CITY – Agrees.
Finding #4.
The Public Works Department and BPD do not routinely meet to assess traffic concerns. This may cause conflicts of interest between the departments concerning speed enforcement, and congestion control.
CITY- Agrees. The Public Works Department will propose meetings with BPD as suggested.
Finding #5.
The many City Plans (General Plan and various Local Traffic Plans) created over the last two decades are sometimes conflicting, redundant, or no longer relevant. There is not a single website where all relevant plans can be found.
CITY – Agree with clarification. Public Works Design Standards for Developers and Capital Improvement Program Projects are available on the Public Works ’ public web page.
Various maps and studies can be found there including Neighborhood Traffic Safety, Safe Routes to School, Bike & Pedestrian Safety, Speed Limits, Traffic Signals, Truck Routes, and Active Transportation Plan. There are old bike plans that may not be as relevant since there are more recent studies c ompleted, such as the Active Transportation Plan. The Public Works Department can evaluate these studies for prioritization or if any need to be deemed obsolete.
Finding #6.
The City’s website does not have a clear online pathway for citizens to file complaints about traffic-specific concerns, including reports of excessive speeding; thus, there is a reliance upon BPD traffic enforcement rather than reviewing engineering issues.
CITY – Agree with clarification. The City allows constituents to make requests for traffic related items by phone and email. However, there is not a clear link or form available on the public website. In 2023, the City completed its Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, which includes a form (with instructions) for the public to use to make requests.
The City will work internally to have this form readily available on the public website and that the public is more aware of this tool.
Finding #7.
The Public Works staff are dedicate d employees, as demonstrated by their hard work to remain up to date regarding traffic engineering and regulations.
CITY - Agree.
Finding #8.
The Public Works Department and the Traffic Division do not regularly schedule reviews of city codes regarding street transitions to collectors and/or arterials. Regularly scheduled reviews could ensure the latest traffic calming tools are applied to local streets and all new development.
CITY – Agree with clarification . The City disagrees with the first part: The General Plan Circulation Element designates each street as Arterial, Collector, or Local. Each have different functions and geometric designs. The designation of a street does not change with development around it. A street designated as a Local street never becomes a collector or an arterial. The City agrees that the latest traffic calming tools will be applied to local streets within all new developments per the Subdivision and Engineering Design Manual.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommendation #1.
By July 1, 2026, the City should implement a routine review of traffic patterns for all streets.
This should occur every two years and may be able to utilize interns to take some of the workload off regular staff. (Finding F1, F3, F8)
City Acknowledged the recommendation but disagree. The City’s Public Work’s Department monitors traffic patterns continuously through its traffic operations center.
The City utilizes lo ops and cameras at most collectors and arterial intersections where congestion can be an issue.
Recommendation #2.
By July 1, 2026, the City should review staffing levels and workloads within the Public Works Department to address the increase in traff ic, land area, and ever -changing State regulations. (Finding F2, F3)
City Acknowledged. The City’s Public Works Department will be reviewing its staffing levels quarterly for the next Fiscal Year and evaluate what is further needed to support traffic engineering and traffic operations.
Recommendation #3.
The City should conduct a pay equity study for the Public Works Department, including workload requirements, to be implemented no later than July 1, 2026. This study should be completed and published on the City’s website by November 1, 2026. (Finding F2, F3)
City Acknowledged with clarification. The City completed a City-wide study of all positions and salaries within the last 5 years, and specifically for its engineering sections. The City will reevaluate those recommendations and determine if there should be any further changes to pay equity regarding the Public Works Department.
Recommendation #4.
By August 1 , 2026, the City should work with the Engineering Department at California State University, Bakersfield to bring interns into Public Works. This could help the City reduce workloads and identify potential new employees before losing them to other job markets. (Finding F2, F3)
City Acknowledged. The City’s Public Work’s Department will coordinate efforts with the City’s Human Resources Department.
Recommendation #5.
By July 1, 2026, Public Works and BPD should set up formal annual or biannual meetings between representatives of each department to review and address traffic concerns. (Finding F4)
City Acknowledged. The City’s Public Work’s Department will coordinate efforts with the City’s Police Department.
Recommendation #6.
The City Council should conduct a full review of all current City traffic plans to be completed by September 1, 2026. These plans should be incorporated into the General Plan, and compiled into easily accessible and consistent formats. (Finding F5, F8)
City Acknowledged but with clarification. The City’s Public Work’s Department is working with the lead Department, Development Services, in updating the General Plan and the circulation element. These efforts are ongoing and will be completed beyond the recommended deadline. In addition, the Public Work’s Department is updating all of its standards and may utilize a consultant specifically for its traffic related standards. This process will be ongoing and will be completed throughout the fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2027. These standards will not be part of the General Plan, but will be incorporated into the City’s Subdivision and Engineering Design Manual that is utilized and available to the public from the City’s website.
Recommendation #7.
By July 1, 2026, the City should include forms in its app, allowing citizens to easily submit concerns about speeding or other traffic issues. (Finding F6)
City Acknowledged but with clarification. The City does have a software phone application where citizens can make requests related to traffic. The City will add a choice to specifically report traffic related concerns or requests. This will be ongoing through the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2027.