BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A Grand Jury investigation has highlighted significant issues within the city of Arvin including infrastructure, staff, attracting businesses to the growing community, police department and transportation.
In the Grand Jury Report, they interviewed several Arvin City department heads, staff members and City Council Members. They attended City Council Meetings, toured the City, and conducted additional research.
Some of the several findings include city employees voicing concern that other staff members are not doing the amount of work required for their position causing animosity in the workplace. It also found staff is often missing causing the perception of two “teams” within the staff working in different directions.
The report said there is a swage pond that is under a reconstruction due to a “recent significant partial failure.” The repair is expected to cost $5 million and take about a year. The report emphasized the impact of businesses. It said Arvin’s main business district, on the east side, is suffering with poor street conditions and many permanently closed stores. While new shopping centers, on the south end, are planned to serve newer sections of the city.
Grand Jury found there is a need to repair streets in the downtown area.
They also found that there is a lack of scrutiny of billings from the Outside Law Group has resulted in payment of invoices that are billed in excess of the contracted amounts.
Additionally, the city failed to hold a special election for a vacant city council seat, and meeting minutes have not been published.
However, the report did highlight some positive developments. It praises the Arvin Police Department on decreasing crime rates.
Furthermore, the city’s transit department has converted its bus fleet to all-electric.
The Grand Jury released its recommendations.
Eyewitness News also spoke to Mayor of Arvin Olivia Calderon, on the grand jury report.