Kerman Mayor Ken Moore looks on as new City Clerk Lynn Renee Holdcroft takes the oath of office. Doing the honors (back to camera) was retiring City Clerk Edith Forsstrom.
Kent Cox - New Building Inspector
New Staff Seen at City Hall
KERMAN (Feb. 20) - Two new staff members were introduced to the Kerman City Council Wednesday evening, Feb. 15. Taking the oath of office as City Clerk was Lynn Renee Holdcroft. She replaces Edith Forsstrom, who is retiring this year.
Holdcroft was the top candidate for the position in both independent screening and an interview panel. She comes to the position with nearly 30 years of related experience. She takes up her new duties on Feb. 27. .
Also on hand last week was Kent Cox, who will started work as a senior building inspector on Feb. 21. He served for 27 years with the Naval Construction Forces (Sea Bees), making 13 overseas deployments. More recently he was an inspector for the City of Madera.
A new office building goes up on Madera Ave., south of Whitesbridge, part of a growing commercial scene in Kerman.
Commercial Construction Booming Along With Residential
KERMAN (Feb. 20) - In recent years Kerman has been noted for its rapid residential growth, but commercial growth has also been picking up rapidly in the last couple years. City Manager Ron Manfredi said that 2005 was a "banner year for commercial, industrial and institutional development."
In addition to the commercial and industrial growth the City of Kerman and Kerman Unified School District have about $20 million worth of improvments scheduled for the next few years. Manfredi says that collection of ‘development fees’ over the past 12 years have made it possible for the City to "aggressively pursue major capital improvement projects." The projects include working for adequate water supplies, sewer facilities and park systems.
He went on to say that the City is "workng on several deals" that could see more institutional and business growth.
Summaries of development in the last few years, supplied by Alan Jacobsen, City director of public works, include:
Commercial:
* Kerman Mini Storage - additional construction at the site, south of the railroad tracks along Madera Ave.
* La Quinta Motel - a proposed 55 unit facility located north of Whitesbridge, on Madera Ave.
* Perko’s - a new restaurant at Whitesbridge and Madera, which opened in early February.
* Slumberger Lumber - a 15,000 square foot office block, on Whitesbridge Rd. east of Madera Ave.,recently completed.
* The Cross Roads - a commercial strip mall, just north of Perko’s, nearing completion.
* Kerman Professional Center - On Madera Ave., south of Whitesbridge. A new office building with 8,550 square feet.
* Bank of America Parking lot - at Madera and E St., landscaping improvements.
* Kerman Telephone - Construction of a maintenance shop, offices and warehouse at 4th and C St.
* Java Hut - at Whitesbridge and Madera, a drive up coffee shop.
* Kerman Auto Sales - 178 S. Madera, construction to demolish a substandard building and remodel another.
* Urbieta 3Bs Auto Sales - 14750 W. Whitesbridge, construction of an office, shop and parking lot improvements.
Industrial:
* Allright Construction - Construction of a shop, covered work area and office space in the industrial park, south of town along Madera Ave.
* J.H. Boyd Enterprises - Construction of a service/commercial building on Commerce Ave., near Vineland Ave.
* Kerman Auto Dismantling - Construction of a water main and other improvements on Whitesbridge Rd., east of Madera Ave.
* Mid Valley Disposal - Construction of a site for disposal operations and a recycling center, in the industrial park area south of town.
* Panoche Creek Packing - Construction of an almond processing and storage plant, in the industrial park area south of town.
* Helena Chemical - Construction of a warehouse and two liquid storage tanks, a liquid fertilizer blending tank and an office, on the southeast side of town.
* Jay Gill - Development of 10,000 to 20,000 square feet facility for service commercial or light industry, on Industrial Way.
* Kerman Inn motel - Demolition and expansion projects at the facility at Madera and California.
Institutional:
* United Health Center - 517 Madera Ave., an 18,000 square foot medical facility.
* Gurdawa (Punjabi/Sikh) Temple Cultural Center - Groundbreaking held recently at the project location in the southeast quarter of the city.
* Kerman Unified School Dist. - Construction of multi-purpose buildings at Kerman High, Kerman Middle School and Liberty Intermediate School. Also in development, a proposed new elementary school on a 20.7 acre site on the northwest corner of Goldenrod and Kearney Blvd.
* Kerman Christian School - Construction of four new classrooms, a library/media centr two restrooms and a child care facility on its site near Whitesbridge and Del Norte.
City Projects:
* New City Council Chambers - Design underway for a two story council chambers building and offices.
* Kerckhoff Park - Design underway for remodeling of old swimming pool shower and equipment room for a youth center.
* Kerckhoff Park - Bidding set to begin for remodeling of Scout Hut.
Kerman Unified Development Fees Drop
KERMAN (Feb. 20) - Kerman Unified School Dist. is reducing the amount charged for developer fees, reducing the amount charged from $5.40 per square foot on residential construction last year to $4.82 per square foot.
James Foley, assistant superintendent/CFO at Kerman Unified, says that the fees are charged to deal with the growth new developments bring to the area. Kerman Unified spends the funds on leasing portable classrooms, furnishing new classrooms and buying land for future school sites.
A recent analysis by the district shows the lower fees are justified because Kerman Unified recently purchased land for a new school site.
RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE
KERMAN (Feb. 1) - The Kerman City Council presented Planning Commissioners Cliff Mayer and Fred Autenrieb with plaques of appreciation for their years of service. Autenrieb was unable to attend, but Mayer is shown (above, left), receiving his plaque from Kerman Mayor Ken Moore.
CONSIDERS ANIMAL REGULATIONS
The City of Kerman is looking at updating its animal control regulations, in the light of recent cases of vicious animal attacks.
This week Chief of Police William Newton submitted a report to the city council, outlining possible changes.
In the past the city has not had a significant problem with animal control, but in recent years unprecedented growth rates have been felt and the animal control department has not kept up.
In the past few years there has been a rise in the number of vicious dog attacks on both humans and other animals, Newton reports. Police officers have had to shoot a number of dogs which attacked humans and officers.
A minimum of eight officers have reported attacks in the past five years, and were forced to shoot animals in four of the incidents. Three or four of the incidents were with pit bulls, it was reported.
There have been a number of incidents in which people have been attacked, some were bitten, some not. All of the incidents in which a dog was killed resulted from a citizen being attacked first, and calling for help.
The City also is reporting a significant increase in the number of stray animals being taken to the SPCA - an average of 23 per month. Officers are reporting increases in the numbers of cases where owners have mistreated their animals, or have not had them properly secured.
The animal control department has put together a list of ideas which may be implemented in the form of new fees, fines and regulations, if the city council gives the green light.
Changes being considered include:
1) Banning specific breeds of dogs.
2) Requiring spaying and neutering, unless an owner obtains a breeder’s permit.
3) Increasing fees sharply for animals which are not spayed or neutered.
4) Increase fines for violations of any of the ordinances regarding dogs.
5) Change ordinances on barking/nuisance dogs.
6) Change the requirements for finding an animal potentially dangerous or vicious.
7) Limiting the number of dogs and cats per household.
8) Implementing fines for improper care and containment of dogs.
The city council was scheduled to take a look at these possibilities this week. Additional action, if any, will take place at a later date.
KERMAN TO MARK 100 YEARS
Jan. 18 - This year Kerman will be celebrating its 100th year of existence. The city will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of its ‘incorporation,’ the legal effort which made it an official city in Fresno County.
The Kerman Community Services Organization has stepped up to take the lead in planning celebration of the anniversaries. Philip Gallegos, KCSO president, has been named chairman of Kerman’s 100/60 year community celebration. He can be contacted at 846-9328, or by email at pgallegos@cityofkerman.org.