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Home My WebLink About05/16/2008� B A K E R S F I E L D Ciiy Manager's Office Memoranduxn i►�iFt TO: �Honorable Mayor and City Council c FROM: � Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: Generallnformation 1. Staff participated in a call with staff from the Governor's office on the im� revised State Budget on local government. While the news is generally is still very early in the process which will likely evolve over many month: articles detailing the Governor's plan and reaction to it are includec information. 2. On May 13t", the County Board of Supervisors honored retired BFD De Kirk Blair with a"Lifetime Achievement Award". The award, presen individual nominated by the Kern County EMS Department, is reco� significant career-long contributions to the local emergency medica response process. Deputy Chief Blair previously provided oversig Metropolitan Medical Response System, a federal funding mech enhancing county-wide EMS capabilities administered by the Baker: Department. 3. On Saturday, May 17t", from 10:00 a.m. to noon, there will be an Open Hc San Miguel commemorative grove, at the Manor Street bike parking area. Foundation will have sample plaques, tree identifications, and information commemorate a loved one with a tree. 4. The Movies in the Park series will begin on Wednesday, May 28t", at tl River Walk, Bright House stage. Sponsored by Barber Honda, free mo� offered each Wednesday for six weeks thru July 2nd. All movies are farr and start at sunset. 5. The Recreation & Parks April 2008 report is enclosed. ! B A K E R S F I E L D OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM May 1 ! To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: John W. Stinson,C�stant City Manager Subject: State Budget — May Revise Update Siaff participated in a phone conference today with staff from the Governor's Offi provided an update on the impact of the Governor's May revision of the propose budget on local government. Highlights include: • There will be no borrowing from Proposition 42 and Prop 42 funding will delayed. • While the Senate has proposed eliminating COPS, booking fees and Pr funding for cities, the Governor's May revise does not completely cu� programs but projects a 10% cut as originally proposed in the budget prE in January. • Funding to repay the 5 months of deferred gas tax payments to c September is included in the revised budget. • The proposals by the Legislative Analyst's Office to capture Prop 172 revenues from cities are not included in the Governor's revised budget. • There will be a$171 million allocation from Prop 1 C for housing infrastruct While the revised budget is generally positive for cities, it is important to note th� is already opposition to the Governor's proposal by numerous interest gro� appears likely there will be changes to this proposal as the state budget � develops over the upcoming months. I'ough budget decision shifted to voters - sacbee.com , ,_- .- �;,�. ; �: i; �• t•: :� I ieclatrrtmtit[nKtc This story is taken from Sacbee / Politics. Tough budget decision shifted to voters Expand lottery or face sales tax hike? By Kevin Yamamura - kyamamura@sacbee.com Published 12:30 am PDT Thursday, May 15, 2008 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger once again wants voters to bail out the state. The Republican governor in 2004 relied on Californians to authorize bonds to pay off the state � 2005, he unsuccessfully asked them to institute spending control measures in a special electior Now he wants voters to expand the California Lottery and borrow against future profits to help billion hole in the state budget. He proposed Wednesday giving them a choice that critics consi a veiled threat: approve his lottery plan in November or face a one-cent sales tax increase. "I think it's basically a way of abdicating responsibility," said Sen. Denise Ducheny, D-San Dieg of the Senate Budget Committee. "I think what's most disappointing for us is it's an abdication leadership role of the governor." The revised budget seeks to close a$15.2 billion deficit for the fiscal year that begins July 1 an reserve of about $2 billion. Schwarzenegger also wants lawmakers to put a"budget stabilizatio the November ballot that would give future governors expanded powers to cut programs in bac create a rainy-day fund to hold money from good years for use when the economy softens. Besides using the lottery money, Schwarzenegger would close the deficit by cutting most progr 10 percent as he proposed in January - with notable exceptions. He backed off deep cuts to sc abandoned plans to release some nonviolent prisoners early and discarded a proposal to close parks. But he proposed deeper cuts to health and social service programs. Democratic and Republican leaders denounced the governor's lottery gambit in the corridors o� budget presentation Wednesday at a Department of Health Care Services auditorium. Democrats blamed Schwarzenegger for relying on false hopes of lottery profits and cuts to socl programs to balance the state budget. Republicans assailed the plan for borrowing money and increase as a contingency plan. Tough budget decision shifted to voters - sacbee.com throughout the state telling voters they need to authorize lottery expansion to avoid a sales ta� 7.25 percent, California already has the highest sales tax rate in the country. "It's obviously a false choice," said Garry South, a Democratic political consultant and former Gray Davis. "If faced with the possibility of getting free money for something, why are voters a sales tax hike?" South said fear of a sales-tax hike may be necessary to overcome skepticism voters have of pr lottery profits, based on past focus groups he's conducted. Bill Carrick, a Democratic consultant, said many voters feel they were "sold a bill of goods on tl when it was established in 1984 and have a general cynicism about tying the lottery to the bud The governor's tax hike option is modeled on a budget tool used by former Gov. George Deukn which contained triggers based on revenue levels but was never used. Former Deukmejian chief of staff Steven Merksamer, who advised Schwarzenegger on his lotte the proposal allows the governor to say that he has "given the public a bold way to avoid any t whatsoever." Merksamer said he doesn't believe the governor is trying to pass the buck to voters. He noted � Schwarzenegger must ask voters for approval because the California Lottery was created by ini provisions are contained in the state constitution. "If he could do the lottery deal unilaterally, he would do it," Merksamer said. The lottery currently provides schools with about $1.2 billion annually, and Schwarzenegger sa potential remains untapped. He said the game, established in 1984, simply needs "modernizati Legislators questioned, however, whether the state could make enough changes to generate s� more money. Other states with more profitable lotteries allow video terminals with instant payouts that funct machines. California does not allow such machines, and Indian tribes have exclusivity clauses i compacts that preclude the state from using video machines. Lawmakers predicted that Indian tribes would finance opposition campaigns with tens of millior the state sought to expand the lottery too far. Alison Harvey, executive director of the California Tribal Business Alliance, which represents si� her group is happy Schwarzenegger's plan does not lease the lottery to a private outside firm. tribes will watch closely to make sure that the state does not try to encroach on their exclusive "I've never heard our guys say the lottery is competition for them," Harvey said. "We would ju� concerned about situations where the lottery would encroach on casino-style games." Ducheny criticized the proposal as one that would disproportionately affect the poorest Californ Tough budget decision shifted to voters - sacbee.com This article is protected by copyright and should not be printed or distributed for anything except personal use. The Sacramento Bee, 2100 Q St., P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852 Phone:(916)321-1000 � ri h �O �Sramen��eg �awmakers take aim at budget � The San Diego Union-Tribune SignOn�[�,TR�BUkE °�•com Lawmakers take aim at budget Democrats slam governor's lottery plan; GOP objects to state sales tax boost By Ed Mendel �TAFF WRITER Nay 15, 2008 � �ACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to use money from an �xpanded lottery to plug a big state budget hole is not looking like a winning ticket. .��.t,�,�,i� �t� �h��rt. a�li»i Even though the �overnor's revised budget avoids deep school cuts, it was all but pronounced dead on arrival yesterday by le�islators from both parties. E�epublicans objected to the governor's plan because it would trigger a temporary ] cent increase in th voters reject the lottery proposal. Democrats said that the lottery plan was speculative and risky, and that the budget would make deep cuts in health care, social services and public transit. E2egardin� the sales-tax provision, Senate Minority Leader Dave Cogdill. R-Modesto. said, "I can't ima�ine that a Repuhlican in either house would vote for this." The �overnor's proposal would require voters in November to approve a plan for increased lottery marketin� and payoffs that would raise S 15 billion, much of which would create a budget reserve. "This is ust flawed from the beainnin� to the end," said Senate President �o�. �,-��Id Schwarzeneqger, � � � � �ta*e budqet pr�po;al y2sterda� Pro Tempore Don Perata, D-Oakland. "Getting it to the ballot would be r:.,�ing his lottery bond piar, wif hard enough. Passing it, I think, would be mission impossible." ��Ve sr��+. B�t ��-m,ke objected to the �-:^.r,c�a�. The governor earlier floated the idea of leasing or selling the lottery. When he unveiled his revised bu called the lottery financing a creative way to close a shortfall without raising taxes. :.awmakers take aim at budget ( The San Diego Union-Tribune He said a reserve would force the state to set aside some revenue in good years, and help avoid deep s -evenue drops in lean years. `No other big state has seen such volatile ups and downs in revenues," Schwarzenegger said. I'he governor said he wanted to join Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, who took office ' �ppointing a commission to recommend ways to modernize the state's tax structure and stabilize rever His budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 assumes that voters in November will approve his lotte �5 billion to help cover the budget shortfall and $10 billion to create a reserve. I'he governor said the lottery underperforms lotteries in other states. Per capita lottery sales in 2006 a� �ther states, $225 in the lO largest states, but only $88 in California. I'he governor said a financial consultant told him that improving the marketing of lottery �ames can revenue to pay off $15 billion in bonds, even if it takes 10 ycars to reach the national average. Schools would continue to get their share of lottery- revenue, now about $1.2 billion. Meanwhile, the 1 improvements would generate additional revenue to pay off the bonds. The lender that �ives the state $15 billion would have a strong guarantee, said Mike Genest, the govei �irector. Cf the new revenue falls short, the school lottery share would be used to make the bond payments. Tlle would be replaced by money from the general fund. �`There really is almost no risk," he said. Senate leader Perata has said that opposition from wealthy Indian gamin� tribes could sink a lottery b Schwarzenegger said he thinks the tribes are only concerned about "opening up the door" for electron devices. "I think this is the concern that they have." Schwarzenegger said. "But we have no intentions to really them." A spokeswoman for a tribal �amin� group said the lottery changes would have to be carefully plannec breaching the "exclusivity" guarantees in compacts the tribes signed with the state. "We are pleased that the state would continue to own the lottery," said Alison Harvey, executive direc Califomia Tribal Business Alliance. Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines, R-Clovis, said he thinks lawmakers should look at leasin� would not require a vote by legislators to approve the backup sales-tax increase. Lawmakers take aim at budget � Tlle San Diego Union-Tribune `Either way, it will raise money for you," he said. i'he governor's January budget proposal caused school districts to give about 14,000 teachers "pink sl �otential layoffs and required legislators to vote for a$4 billion reduction in Proposition 98 school-fu� His plan would give schools a bit more money than they are receiving this year, enough to raise total j �ources to $12,OOU per student, up from $11,997 this year. Proposition 98 «�ould not have to be suspe� `We are still looking at budget cuts and layoffs next year," said Rick Pratt of the California School Bc He said the governor's plan is about $2.8 billion short of fully covering growth and inflation. The budget requires deep reductions in health and social services programs that the governor said are painful." Anthony Wright of H�alth Access California said the biggest of the reductions would save $343 milli� allowing parents who have one child and an annual income of $11,000 or more to be eligible for Med Federal health care program for the needy. "The governor's hudget cuts will result in closing the doors to coverage and care for hundreds of thou Californians, and further unravel the broken health care system we all rely on," Wright said in a stater Schwarzenegger's plan calls for a 5�ercent cut in grants to people in the CaIWORKS welfare progran monthly payment of $723 in high-cost counties such as San Die�o to $687. In-home services also wo� 1'he plan would shift $1.4 billion from transportation funds to help balance the general fund, said the i Association, pushing the total raid from transportation funds durin� this decade to more than $4 billio The proposal also drops controversial proposals to release 22,000 low-risk prison inmates early, close reduce lifeguards at l b state beaches. He proposes increasing fees $1 to $2 at some of the more popul His proposal to inc;rease emer�ency fire services with a fee on property insurance was adjusted for ris [n high-risk areas, the fee ��ould be 1.4 percent of the insurance cost, an average of $12.60 per houser low-risk areas would be 0.7_5 percent of the insurance cost, an average of $6.75 per household. ■Bill Ainsworth of the U-T Sacramento bureau contributed to this report. »Next Stor��» Find this article at: i B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: May 9, 2008 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Dianne Hoover, Director of Recreation & Parks Subject: 2008 April Report ADMINISTRATION: • The NRPA Accreditation preparation is complete. Team visit is sched for June 22 — 26, 2008. • The budget presentation was completed and submitted, as per the bu� calendar deadline. • At the request of Councilman Scrivner, a presentation was made to th� Safe Neighborhoods & Community Relations committee outlining the value of recreation and park programs to youth. • A dissenting opinion memo was issued regarding the proposed gener< plan amendment for the "Shops at River Walk". • Review of color and texture options is in process for the community ce at the Sports Village. • Rough grading of the site at Aera Park is complete. Sewer extension being installed on south side of Jewetta. • RRM was given written notice to proceed with construction plans for Greystone Park on March 31, 2008. • Aerial photogrammetry and field surveying for Mesa Marin are comple Project completion is scheduled for spring 2009. • Notice of Completion was filed for Tradewinds Park on behalf of Lenn� Homes. • Saunders Recreation Facility is on schedule for grand opening celebr� planned May 8, 2008. • McAllister Ranch developer SunCal appears to have ceased mainten� of the site. Media has disclosed possible default. • A coloring rendering has been completed for the Linell and Brahma p� site. An additional meeting with the developer and engineer is sched� 2008 April Report Recreation & Parks Page 3 SILVER CREEK COMMUNITY CENTER • The facility and park area was rented 17 times with approximately 1,1( guests. • Teen Center is planning a"Rock Band" video game competition coinci with the June 3�d Music Fest in the park. • Final plans are in place for the Kid Fit health fair on May 18, 2008. • After school program attendance was 570 for the month. PARKS DIVISIDN • Completed dasher, dasher system glass, and synthetic court surfacinc installation at Saunder's Multi-Sport facility. • Wayside softball field installation completed. • Met with citizens interested in additional landscaping along the Manor and Chester Ave. area. • In collaboration with PG&E, replaced 44 trees with new utility line frien trees on Calloway Drive. This was done with the "Right Tree, Right PI program. • Irrigation on Ming Ave — South Wall was replaced and hydro-seeded. • Installed back ftow preventer at Jastro Park wet playground. • Began work on Beach Park irrigation well system. • Completed rubberized surfacing repairs at Centennial Park. • Plantings: 0 1,584 1 gallon Groundcover 0 415 5 gallon Shrubs 0 2 24" box Trees 0 178 15 gallon Trees • Trimmings: o Trimmed: 48 o Clearance: 164 o Removals: 53 • Estimated monthly vandalism costs: $3,200. • Total service requests received: 301. • Completed tickets by craft worker section: 340. Paqe 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF MAY 19 — MAY 23, 2008 Resurfacinc�/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Preparing streets for an overlay in the area between So. "H" Street and H Lane, north of Pacheco Road. Resurfacing Niles Street between Union Avenue and Brown Street. Resurfacing streets in the area between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulev So. Williams Street, south of California Avenue. Miscellaneous Streets Division prolects: Installing curb and gutters in the area between California Avenue and E. � Avenue, Baker Street to Williams Street (CDBG FUNDED PROJECT). Working on the Mill Creek Project. Working on the Aera Park Project. Working on the median island installation project on Calloway Drive, nortt Rosedale Highway Working on the Jastro Park wet-play area installation project. Sealing City streets in the area between Highway 178 and Mira Monte Dr West of Morning Drive Paqe 2 of 2 STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, Mav 19, 2008 Area befinreen Panama Road and Panama Lane, Stine Road and Highw� Tuesdav, Mav 20, 2008 Between Wilson Road and Stine Road, Ming Avenue to White Lane. Between District Boulevard and Panama Lane, Gosford Road to Ashe Rc Ashe Road and Stine Road, Panama Lane, north to the railroad tracks. Cul-de-sac between Manley Court and Chris Court, north of Angela Way, Wednesdav, Mav 21, 2008 Between White Lane and Panama Lane, Buena Vista Road to Old River Between Old River Road and Gosford Road, White Lane to Pacheco Ro� Between College Avenue and Willis Avenue, Morning Drive to Park Drive Thursday, May 22, 2008 Between Snow Road and Hageman Road, Jewetta Avenue and Callowa! Between Berkshire Road and Astro Avenue, So. "H" Street and Union Av Fridav, Mav 23, 2008 Area between Hageman Road & Meacham Road, Old Farm Road & Call� Area between Calloway Drive & Coffee Road, Norris Road, Granite Falls Alfred Harrell Highway from !78 Highway to the north City Limit. Miramonte Drive from 178 Highway to the south City Limit. Area on the north side of 178 Highway, east of Valley Street. ###