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Home My WebLink About11/19/2010OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM Novemk TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager �-,'� / .� P�� - SUBJECT: General information � We open bids on the Truxtun Tie-In of Phase 4 of the Westside Pc December 1 St. Because the legislature is going into a special budc on December 6th with a$25 billion deficit, we have been advised bids awarded as soon as possible. To that end, we have scP Special IVleeting on Friday, December 3, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. to awarc Projects vvith awarded bids are less subject to being frozen by the than those that are not. Miscellaneous �lews ■ Congratulations go to the Police Department's Canine Unit. Last we Riverside I<9 trials were held, and canines, Rino (partner James Jones (partner Sean Morphis) won first place among 50 police dog teams that � A third team, Rossi (partner John Sanchez) also won first place in the ovE division. It is the first time that participants from Bakersfield placed first in � narcotics competitions for the statewide event. Well done! ■ The groundbreaking for the South Mill Creek Chelsea Apartments went v Wednesday the 17'h. ■ Parks Projects Updates: o Phase I of the Sports Village is on track for the anticipated complE December of this year. Grass on the soccer fields is getting estak paving process for the parking lot is underway, the restroom/ b�ilding is almost finished, light poles are operational, and the about ready to be filled. Actual use of the fields will begin about _ Honorable Mayor and City Council November 19, 2010 Page 2 o Construction of Greystone Park began on October 4th. Safe re the owls is underway, and staff anticipates that the remainder of t be cleared by the biologist this Friday. o Excavation has begun on the Lowell Park Restroom project. Sta1 that the project will be completed in late spring. o Construction of the Kern River Upland and River Edge Re� expected to begin in mid December. The Centrai Valley Flood Board must first clear the project for construction before work can ■ Design of the Streetscape Improvements for "Q" Street, from Truxtun AvE Street is mostly complete. Staff projects the bid opening in late February, ■ For the sixth straight year, the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center will be transf the Winter Playground, with opening day on Friday, November 26'". It �n each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Christmas Eve, and on twc the l bth and 23rd. A press release is attached that provides more informa • A letter from Bright House Networks is enclosed regarding programming c • The following reports are enclosed: • October report for the Recreation and Parks Department; and • Streets Division's weekly work schedule Budget News ✓ The Los Angeles Times reports that the State will be asking investors foi over the next two weeks, $10 billion of which is a short-term loan typicall� at this time of year to tide the State over while it waits for the bulk of tax arrive in winter and spring. The remainder will be long-term bon� construction that voters approved through ballot measures. Any hoK might have to receive funds for the Westside Parkway, Phase 6(AIIE Stockdale Highway) would be from the construction portion, if the bor well. ✓ The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office forecasts a moderate annual state payments to CaIPERS during the next five years, mainly cutting pension agreements negotiated with labor unions. Honorable Mayor and City Council November 19, 2010 Page 3 o FRESNO: The City Council approved $10.2 million in budg Thursday. The plan, which becomes effective January 1, 201 elin�ination of 35 - 40 positions, 30 of which are filled positions, ap� $3.7 million in department reductions, and more than $3 millic concessions from the Fresno Police Officers Association. Separately, the City Council is considering outsourcing comm service as a means to help balance the budget. A day-long wc held Tuesday to review the bid proposals, but there was no indicc end where each Councilmember stands on the issue. The possible votes is scheduled on December 2nd. o STOCKTON: Officials project an $18.4 million to $26.2 million deficit the next two fiscal years if no changes are made the City's labc with the police and fire unions. Proposed concessions include scheduled pay increases and temporarily closing a firetruck comK o VISALIA: The City Council voted Monday to increase h contributions paid by retirees and their dependents by at least $ with a 10.6% hike in premiums for its self-funded health plan in increases will be implemented February 1 St. The Mayor noted that the city will probably have to get ou insurance altogether because of skyrocketing costs. One counc in favor of encouraging retirees 65 and older to rely on Medicar� opt out of any city coverage. Responses to Council Referrals ♦ Councilmember Benham i> Parking in the Alley - Spruce and Jacaronda; and > Vagrancy and Litter on 1 bt" at the Oak Street Overpass. AT:rs:al cc: Department Heads Roberta Gafford, City Clerk RECEIVED: 7�/76/70 �0:33AM; ->CITY OF BAKERSFIELD; #20; PAGE 2 C�B 11/16/2010 10:30:32 AM PAGE 2/002 Fax Se � � 1111EDIA EL�EASE .� Today's Date: 11 /16/10 Contact: Ken Ouellette — 661-852-7327 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1NINTER PL�IYGRQl1ND RETURNS TO ��►KERSFIELD ICE SPC�RTS CEiVTEI Bakersfield, CA- For the 6th straight year, the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center will be transformed inio Bakersfield's Winter Playground. The #1 holiday experience in Kern � Winter Playground features ice skating, train rides, a snow play area, an arts and craf� and of course, the one and only Santa Claus. At only $10 per person including skate r a Christmas value that can't be beat! � The Ice Sports Center is excited to� partner with the Ronald McDonafd House as the designated charity for this year's event. All proceeds from the first weekend of Winier Playground will go to Bakersfield's local Ronald McD�nald House. "We're proud to once again.host the Winter Playground at BISC," says Ice Sports Cen Director Scott Hay. "Even though it may be sunny in December outside, inside the rinF hope to provide a fantastic Winter Wonderland experience for children and adults alikE The Winter Playground will open on Friday, November 26 and will be open each Frida Sunday through Christmas Eve, with 2 specia[ Thursday dates on December 16 and 2 dates and times can be found on the Ice Sports Center website, or by calling 661-852- The Ice �Sports Center is located behind Rabobank Arena and directly next to the McN Aquatic Center and Maya Cinemas at 1325 Q Street. ### 3701 North Sillect Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93308 Tel (661) 634-2260 Fax (661) 395-3378 bright house NETWORKS November il, 2010 Mr. Alan Tandy City Manager City of Bakersfield 1600 Truxtun Avenue, 5th Floar Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mr. Tandy: Joseph R. Schoenstein Division President Bakersfield Division ,7 ;�. f'•; •. Bright House Networks is continuing its commitment to bring new technology and advanced digita community. To that end, we have implemented a new digital video delivery technology known as Video (SDV). SDV is a robust bandwidth-management system that makes it possible to offer mc programming services than before, including new HD channels. Bright House Networks will following new channels to the SDV system. EfFective December 15, 2010, .lewelry N will move from channel 250 to channels 59 and 99. On or after December 15, 2010, the following NEW services will be delivered on the SDV system. Jewelry TV Playboy Playboy En Espanol Team HD Digital Basic Subscription Subscription Sports Package Channels 59 and 99 Channel 960 Channel 961 Channel 1152 When delivered on the SDV system, the above channels will become bi-directional (or two-way) s continue to be available to all Bright House Networks customers who subscribe to our digital Spoi and fease a digital set-top box or similar bi-directional device capable of supporting two-way servic However, the above channels will no longer be available to customers with unidirectional (� television or other device who currently lease a CableCARD from Bright House Networks. This si impacted customers have been notified and offered the option of obtaining a digital set-top bo directional device from Bright House Networks. In either case, such customers will not need t unidirectional retail dev6ce. For more information on Bright House Networks programming, please call 661-323-4892 or visit �nnnnn► hrinhthni �cr� rnm � S A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: November 16, 2010 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager � From: Dianne �loover, Director of Recreation & Parks Subject: October 2010 Monthly Report ADMINISTRATION: ➢ October M�nthly Total Attendance: 58,558 (Includes all programs, and volunte�ers combined for the month.) • Sports Village - Hydro-seed and plant instaifation is near � Anticipated date of project completion is November 2010. A cc AYSO to op�erate the facility was approved at the November 3ra C Meeting. • Greystone Park - State Fish and Game completed a site visit in further define the protection and relocation efforts of burrowing owls currently implementing the State's requirements. Grading activaties r in areas outside the protected buffer areas of the remaining dens. • Mesa Marin - A change order with the contractor for additional im� within the concession stand and an extension of 55 working days wa by City Council at the November 3rd meeting. The new completior acceptance of the change order, is late spring 201 1. • Mill Creek &"Q" Street Maintenance Districts - Dates for benchmc will be deveBoped in a meeting in November. • Bakersfield ��irpark - Currently developing an invitation to bid dc secure a mGintenance company for the ongoing maintenance of all improvements within and adjacent to the Airpark owned by the City. • "Q" Street - 90�o complete construction plan and specification doc currently under review by the Recreation and Parks Department. • Ilt'��nnrlc nf fhA KArr� I?ivAr Pnrl��ni�v — ThA r�rnior-+ �nir7c rr��irrr^Ic DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS OCTOBER 2010 MONTHLY REPORT PAGE TWO • Unimprove�d Median Island Study - Public Works is now in thE generating a City wide inventory of all medians with the a Recreation and Parks. • Bright House Networks Amphitheatre Concerts held: o Octaber 2nd- Christopher Caliendo $10 o October 1 bth - Mike Aiken $10 o October 23rd - Fatt Katt & Von Zippers Free SMG held �hree Saturday night concerts this month. Each of the performed different music genres - Tangos/Gypsy/Jazz, Country � Billy. The �oncerts with paid admission offered a dinner by Primf optional package. All of the concerts had onsite alcohol cor�sumK for $1 per person. • Gospel Fest - October 17th: San Joaquin Community Hospital sponsored its second annual along with Barber Honda. The event showcased a host of loc performers, including fan-favorite "The Boasting Week", and headlii time Gospel Music Association Female Vocalist of the year, Natalie C with the entertainment, there were at least a dozen ven< Approximately 3,000 guests in attendance; high winds and rain kepi lower than last year. • City Events �for the month of October: o Central Park at Mill Creek, Farmers Market - Attendance inc to the co-sponsorship of the "Faire in the Park" coinciding witr - 1,200 total. • Special Eveu�ts for the month of October included: o October 1 St - TPRW, Link to Life, 500 guests o October 2n� - TPRW, ALS Walk, 500 guests o October 16th - TPRW, NAMI of Kern Walk, 1,500 guests o October 23rd - Yokuts Park, SPCA Walk, 1,500 guests � October 30th - Central Park, Village Artisans Craft Faire, 1,000 c o October 31 St - Central Park, Village Artisans Craft Faire, 500 gu • Total Attendance: 24,097 - Reservations/Special Events AQUATICS: Attendance at the McMurtrev Aauatic Center increasec� hv 1_ 1% DEPARTMENT OF REC�tEATION AND PARKS OCTOBER 2010 MON�HLY REPORT PAGE THREE • 100 Mile Cl�b: o The fourth annual 100 Mile Club Social is scheduled to take pla McM�rtrey Aquatic Center on Friday, November 12th. The Soc ann�ally to recognize and celebrate the individual and comb accomplishments of our dedicated 100 Mile Club Members. o The 100 mile lap swim club is currently made up of 283 active r The club has swum a combined total of 66,376 miles. One year club had swum a total of 50,727 miles! • Special Events: o Garces Memorial High School held three water polo meets in tl of October at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center. The meets were atteruded with 542 spectators watching over 271 water polo pl� competed during the month. • Total Attendan�e: 3,059 ATHLETICS: � Advlt, Youth, Fitness and Adaptive Programs over-all attendance foi of October was 24,438. A 5% increase from last year's monthly attenc • Adult SoftbGll League - The fall league continues with games five nigr • Cross Country Invitational Meet - The event was held on Saturday, ( at Yokuts Park. A total of 236 runners from all over Kern County par the event. • League of C�reams/Adaptive Basketball League - The league fir�ishec week basketball league on October 24th with a special "C Celebration" that included awards and pizza. • Adaptive Co-Ed Softball League - Games began on Thursday, Octc Beach Park for this new six (6) week Adaptive Softball League for disabilities. • Other Sports Highlights: o Pee VVee Sports was held at Jastro Park this month with i participants. o The Adaptive Youth Tennis program continued classes this mon � Park. All the participants are working towards an Adaptive Y Tournament that will be held on Saturday, November 20th. o Kern County Disc Golf Citv Championship DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS OCTOBER 2010 MONTHLY REPORT PAGE FOUR • Funding - The Athletic Division received the following donations/Vol for the month of October: o Slightly Used Baseball Bats (5) $1,( 0 62 Angel Volunteers - 248 hrs (League of Dreams) $2,; 0 4 Tennis Coaches -24 hrs (Adaptive Youth Tennis) �; Tota I: $3, i • Total Atten�lance: 24,438 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KtNG, JR. COMMUNITY CENTER: • Overall attendance for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center was 4,39: 15�o Increase from October 2009. • Youth Garden -We are growing many delicious vegetables that gardeners are sharing with members who visit the garden. The y� replanting the butterfly garden next month. • Healthy Cooking for Kids - The heafthy cooking class continues to attendance and very enthusiastic participants. There are approxirr participants at every class. • Good Neighbor Festival - The Good Neighbor Festival was held o October 16t�� from 1 1:00 am to 2:00 pm at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pc o The Southeast Neighborhood Partnership had over 40 vendc petting zoo, face painting and a climbing wall. Awards were "Hidden Heroes", who have helped the Southeast � Councilmember Irma Carson was recognized for her mar service to the community. There were approximately 1200 pe event, • Donations - The center received the following donation assistar month of October: 0 18" Bikes (6)= �� 5C o Helmets (6)= � 9C � o Gift Card (1) $ 9C o Gift Card (1) � Total Donations: $35� • Total Attendance: 4,395 SILVER CREEK COMMU�NITY CENTER/SAUNDERS MULTI-USE FACILITY: DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS �CTOBER 2010 MOI�THLY REPORT PAGE FIVE • Saunders Ftecreational Facility o The �acility was rented a total of three (3) times for the Spec for October. o Total attendance for the Saunders Recreational Facifity wa total of $530 in revenue generated. The decrease in rE attributed to the end of both Hockey and Soccer season in A • Total Attendance for Silver Creek &�Saunders Recreational Fac�lity :; PARKS: . . Mesa Marir� Sports Complex was mowed for the first time on Friday, C Motion sensors at both Jastro and Beale Park tennis courts were re Maxi-Com timers were installed for more efficient control of lights. • Maxi-Com irrigation was installed at Lowell Park. • Solar panel aerator was installed at the west pond at TPRW on Octok • Veteran's Memorial celebration was held at 515 Truxtun Avenue on ( • The Good Neighbor Festival was held at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Saturday, October l bth. • Pickinpaugh Concrete contacted Recreation and Parks staff on Oc advise staff that his company expects to file for bankruptcy protec November. All known wall damage locations are repaired • Flag poles were set at the entrance of Aera Park. The six (6) flags ar white and blue along with painted baseballs which added to the A� . . . . Complex. Reservation card holders have been installed at twenty-one additior The small playground on the Northwest side of Pin Oak Park was r safety reasons. New equipment is anticipated for replacement w allows. The portable stage was sent out to two (2) focations during th� October. The first was to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park for the Goc Festival on Saturday, October 16th. Secondly, it was sent to Horizon School for the Lights on Event on October 21, 2010. Tree staff trimmed approximately 200 trees on Main plaza betweei and Granite Falls. This project was necessary due to concerns frorr drivers in that area. This took tree staff several weeks to complete. DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS OCTOBER 2010 MOI�THLY REPORT PAGE SIX • On Octob�r 23rd volunteers from the Tree College Ag Department stacked small limb River Parkway. Foundation of Kern an s and picked up trash f • Trees: Trimmed: 125 Clearance: 530 Removals: 33 • Service Tickets: 258 received 245 completed • A total of �3,805 in vandalism occurred during the month. UPCOMING EVENTS: • Suicide Prevention Walk at Beach Park on November 6th from 7am-1 • Memorial Run at TPRW on November 6th from 7am-2pm • Disc Golf Championship at Silver Creek Park on November 6th from 7 • Roller Hockey Tournament at Saunders Pavilion on November 6t� lOpm • The Woods Tea Company Concert at BHNA on November bt" from 7 • Juvenile Diabetes Walk at Yokuts Park on November 6th from 7am-2K • Homeless Concert at MLK on November 6th from 7am-lOpm • 20th Anniversary for the Center for Autism at Central Park at Mill Cree • Bakersfield Track Run at Beach Park 7am-2pm � 5k Run/Walk at TPRW 7:30am-10:30am • Homeless Center Run at Yokuts Park 8am-1 1:30am • Vaccination Clinic at Beale Park 8am-12pm Paqe 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF November 22, 2010 — November 26, 2010 Resurfacinq/Reconstructinq streets in the following areas: Resurfacing streets in the area north of Panama Ln & west of Wible Rd. Reconstructing Streets in the area North of Panama and West of Akers Repairing Ashe Rd. from McCutchen to Berkshire Rd. Miscellaneous Streefis Division prolects: Installing Handicapped ramps in the Kern City area. Repairing concrete at various bus stops on Wilson Rd, Hughes Ln, Wible Rd, So. " Ashe Rd, Chester Ave and Planz Rd areas THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Paqe2of2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Mondav, November 22, 2010 Between Coffee Rd. & Verdugo Ln. — Brimhall Rd., south to the Kern River boundary Cul-De-Sacs, west of Windsong St., between Brimhall Rd. & Thistlewood Ct. City areas between Rosedale Hwy. & Stockdale Hwy. — Verdugo Ln. to the west City Between Jenkins Rd. � Allen Rd. — Stockdale Hwy. & Birkenfeld Ave. Between Hosking Rd. & Astro Ave. — So. "H" St. & Union Ave. Tuesdav, November 23, 2010 City areas befinreen Olive Dr. & Downing Ave. — Coffee Rd. & Knudsen Dr./Mohawk Wy. From Weldon Ave. to Meany Ave. Between W. Columbus St. & 34th St. — Chester Ave. & San Dimas St. Beween Union Ave. & Madison St. — Casa Loma Dr. & White Ln. Between Westwold Dr. & So. Laurelglen Blvd. — Gosford Rd. & Woodglen Dr. Wednesdav, November 24, 2010 City areas between Snow Rd. & Rosedale Hwy. — Jewetta Ave., west to the City limit. Between Ming Ave. & So. Laurelglen Blvd. — Coffee Rd. & EI Portal / Laurelglen Blvd Thursdav, November 25, 2010 No sweeping service. Fridav, November 26, 2010 No sweeping service. Califor�lia's a fiscal mess, but debt isn't the problem -- latimes.com latimes.com/business/la-fi-1113-petruno-20101113,0,3401917.column latimes.com California's a fiscal mess, but debt isn't the problem Despite its dysfunctional financial image, the state still has room to borrow. It will for $14 billion over the next two weeks. "rom Petruno Market Beat November 13, 2010 California took a record 100 days into the new fiscal year to nail down a budget, and that plan already is sporting a gaping hole. Now, the state will go to investors to borrow $14 billion in the next two weeks. If you don't read much beyond those headlines, it's easy to send the outrage meter spinning well into the red zone. How can California, with such horrendous financial problems, dare to dig itself into a deeper debt chasm? And why would investors be willing to fork over their money to a state that looks more fiscally dysfunctional than ever? _. ., �.; E; :� i: 5+';�� r Y? Ei ; �� r:' � �� '�e��"� ��.v� %i � „xss, �F,..u.,�, �,,.,2.,ti.�.,,.�,�u„/�i%�.�%LS � �. � ' £ � � s �i��'��i�� 'z f g%��r � y 8$, v � ,. � <s�,_.� .a ` � '� € ` .. >3iar�� o:F :;:a�.X,�1. ! . . � .. �. ,.. P W'$��. � �. .�. Yet the dots don't quite connect the way the outrage-prone might prefer. The borrowing spree that Treasurer Bill Lockyer is about to launch isn't about trying to paper over short-term budget troubles with long-term debt. Rather, about $10 billion of the borrowing is a short-term loan the state typically takes out at this t it over, awaiting the bulk of tax revenue to arrive in winter and spring. That loan, though larber th� because of the late budget, still must be repaid by next June 30, before the current tiscal year ends The rest of the debt will be long-term bonds to fund construction that voters have mandated in rec� approving ballot propositions for schools, roads, water facilities and other big-ticket infrastructure To put it another way, this borrowing wave isn't going to fix the $25.4-billion budget deficit expec by mid-2012, as estimated this week by the state's chief fiscal analyst. California's a fiscal mess, but debt isn't the problem -- latimes.com on the rating," said C'Jabriel Petek, the primary analyst tracking California for ratings firm Standarc The state can keep borrowing because its long-term bond debt load of $90 billion still is judged to Wall Street, given the size of the economy. F3y key measures, the debt is less than the burden carri New York, Delaware and Hawaii — though far above the levels carried by low-debt states such a: Nebraska. The state's debt works out to $2,362 for every Californian, according to Moody's Investors Servicf seventh among the states, well below the burdens of No. 1 Connecticut, at $4,859 per capita, and 1 $3,996, for example. In measuring debt relative to the state's total economic output, California ranks eighth highest at No. 1 Massachusetts at 8.3% and No. 5 New York at 5.4%. Another good gauge is debt as a percentage of a state's total personal income, because income is t} that cover debt payments. By that measure, California ranks seventh highest, at 5.6%, according tc data. That's inore than double the state median of 2.5%, but so are the ratios of� Kentucky and Was you might think would be more f scally conservative. The point here is that, while California ranks in the top 10 of state debtors, its borrowing hasn't be judged by the ratings firms. For the biggest state, California's debt is "still moderate," said Emily l analyzes the state for Moody's. But Lockyer says he worries about the trajectory of the debt burden. California's debt as a percentage of personal income has more than doubled from 2.4% in 2U00 as generous in approving big bond packages for water projects, stem-cell research and education faci things. And the state has a backlog of $53 billion in bonds yet to sell to fund other projects voters have aL years. Of course, the point of infrastructure spending is to enhance the state's economy in the long run. Raimes notes. It also creates jobs. Fven so, every dollar that goes to repay debt is one less dollar available to fund the state's current In his annual debt-affordability report, issued in October, Lockyer noted that bond interest and pri up 6.7% of the state's general-fund revenue in the last fiscal year, a figure set to rise to 7.2% in thE "I'he state "needs to pay serious attention to its growing debt service," he said. California and inany other states also face heavy future liabilities that aren't reflected in official de unfunded pension costs for public employees, for example. California's a fiscal mess, but debt isn't the problem -- latimes.com California bonds is now about 3.7%; the Treasury pays about 2.7% on its 10-year T-note. Even on the $10 billion in short-term notes the state will sell early next week, it will have to pay r. other short-term interest rates. Muni bond dealers expect the notes to pay annualized tax-free yielc That's a lucrative return these days for investors who have idle cash that they don't want to risk in other longer-term assets. California's awful history of budget tricks includes stealing (er, borrowing) money from internal f bovernments, putting off certain employee-pension funding and delaying payments to vendors anc the state does business. But most of these tricks have one central goal: making sure that bondholders are paid on time and by the state Constitution. The state's image is one of a hopeless deadbeat, but its bond investors have come to know better. tom. pet�uno�latimes. com Copyright �O 2010, Los Anbeles Times Legislative Analyst: CaIP�;RS state rate won't soar « Calpensions liiil �: � f , .f �:�'�:�� :��.�_ (.`��;�"I��.� <:�� ,�.��.°�� .�� ;�°��1 ��i�.�� « CaISTRS, Ca1PERS pressure Hilton in labor dispute Legislative Analyst: Ca1PERS state rate won't soar By Ed Mendel The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office, not known for rosey scenarios, forecasts a moderate state payments to Ca1PERS during the next five years, mainly due to cost-cutting pension agreeme: labor unions. State payments to the California Public Employees Retirement System are expected to increase fro year to $3.9 billion in fisca12015-16, according to a state budget "fiscal outlook" from Legislative Taylor. But the annual report issued last week notes that rates could go higher if, as expected, CaIPERS lo� earnings assumed in the decades ahead, requiring more state contributions to cover pension obligat After an asset workshop last week, Ca1PERS seems likely to adopt a new asset mix next month tha current earnings target, 7.75 percent a year, to at least 7.5 percent. Still, the analyst's report is a neutral look at the impact of public employee union "givebacks" that the deficit-ridden state budget. The budget gap over the next year and a half has ballooned to an es A half dozen unions, following the Highway Patrol's lead, agreed to new contracts earlier this yeaY employee pension contributions to 10 to 11 percent of pay, up from 5 to 8 percent. The state emplc most workers is 20 percent of pay. The big move came last month when negotiators for the largest state worker union, prodded by Go Schwarzenegger's vow not to sign a state budget without pension reform, agreed to a new state cor The 95,000-member Service Employees International Union Local 1000, representing nine bargair announced earlier this month that the contract was "overwhelmingly" ratified by members, receivi� Legislative �nalyst: Ca1PERS state rate won't soar « Calpensions LJnions representing 60,000 state workers, nearly a third of the state workforce, did not agree to ne� out in hope of a better deal from the incoming administration of Gov.-elect Jerry Brown. Typically skeptical, the Legislative Analyst's outlook (p. 38} expects several worker cuts in the ne� signed last month, 100 days into the new fiscal year, to save $1 billion, not $1.4 billion as assumed writers. But the analyst's contrarian view turns optimistic with a projection for "fairly modest growth" in t� contribution. "rl,his is in contrast to consistent warnings from the system in recent years that state contribution ra increase signiticantly over time — due to the need to cover added liabilities resulting from the syst investment declines and recent demographic experience of the system," the analyst said. In addition to assuming that the earnings target will not change, the analyst gives two other reason� ---The analyst assumes that state workers will receive just one pay raise, a 3 percent hike in 2012 or contracts. CaIPERS forecasts assume annual pay raises. –The analyst assumes that CaIPFRS earnings will hit the current target, 7.75 percent, each year. Be experts thinks averaging 7.75 percent earnings during the next decade is unlikely, CaIPERS is con� target. The Ca1PERS chief actuary, Alan Milligan, said he had not yet reviewed the analyst's outlook and speculate about the forecast of "modest growth" in the state pension payment. In the most recent long-term projection from CaIPERS actuaries, issued last December, the state p� ?015-16 is expected to be $5.2 billion, well above the $3.9 billion forecast by the analyst for the sa But conditions have changed since then. CaIPERS actuaries were expecting the state payment last ; increase to $3.5 billion in the current year as big losses in the 2008 stock market crash are phased i. Then the Ca1PERS actuaries added about $100 million in February to pump up levels in some fund in April because a new decade-long study showed that members were living longer, earning more � earlier. As a result, the CaIPERS board would be imposing a$600 million increase in the state payment, u� billion, at a time when the state faced another huge budget gap and was struggling to inake deep sp action was delayed. What helped the board decide to impose the $600 million increase in June was a I,egislative Analy million of the increase would come from the deficit-ridden general fund, the rest from various spec transportation. Legislative Analyst: CaIPERS state rate won't soar « Calpensions The state payment to the California State Teachers Retirement System is expected to be $1.3 billio to more than $1.5 billion in fiscal 2015-16 under current law. CaISTRS is underfunded, but unlike Ca1PERS lacks the power to raise employer contribution rates to build support for legislation increasing contributions includes a$600,000 public relations contra The University of California Retirement Plan also is seeking state funds to help reduce a large unfi state budget has provided no funds for UC retirement for several decades. Z'he Legislative Analyst expects the annual payment for state worker retiree health care to be $1.4 � increasing to more than $2 billion in the next five years. The state has a large unfunded liability fo1 promised state workers and UC and CSU employees. In total, the analyst estimates that the state has $136 billion in unfunded liabilities for pensions and which could grow if Ca1PERS and Ca1STRS lower their estimates of future investment earnings. "Left unaddressed in the near term, costs to service Ca1STRS, UCRP, and retiree health liabilities ` burdening future Californians more and more and requiring even harder decisions about taxes and analyst said. "The state should look for ways to address these problems soon, to avoid passing thes future Californians." Repo�ter� Ed Mendel covered the Capitol in Sacramento,fo� nearly three decades, most recently,for Union-Tribune. More sto�ies a�e at http: //calpensions. com/ Posted 18 Nov 10 Ads by Cioo�le .�a. � �.. �� ' �� -� �,�:� � .... This entry was posted on November 18, 2010 at 9:38 am and is filed under Ca1PF,RS, Rates. You can follow any respo through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. - Top Stories Fresno council OKs $10.2 million in budget cuts Mayor's midyear plan includes layoffs. Posted at 11:17 PM on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010 By George Hostetter / The Fresno Bee After hours of discussion and debate, the Fresno City Council on Thursday night gave Mayor Ashley Swearengin what she wanted, a in midyear budget cuts that will include service reductions and layoffs. But some council members had plenty of questions about where the city's shrinking dollars are spent, and whether more should be s� downtown area. It was the longest and most contentious debate over a Swearengin budget since the mayor took office in 2009. Council Members Lee Brand, Blong Xiong and Andreas Borgeas suggested more money should be cut from the Downtown and Com Department, a key project of the mayor's. They said the department does good work, but other cash-strapped services such as public funding. Swearengin firmly rejected this thinking, saying the departmenYs work is pivotal to a revitalized urban core that will produce an econo less violent Fresno. "This is how we get from where we are to a better place," Swearengin said. Swearengin last month unveiled a plan to close a$10.2 million general fund budget gap. Her proposals required council approval. On Thursday, in one of the council's few sustained efforts to revise Swearengin's plan, Brand proposed that an additional $80,000 fro Revitalization Department's general fund budget be transferred to the Police Department for operations. Downtown and Community Revitalization in Swearengin's plan is to take a$51,000 budget cut to about $919,000. Brand said Downtown and Community Revitalization is focusing much of its work in the Lowell neighborhood, on downtown's northeri Swearengin administration also is focusing on Lowell considerable energies from other departments, including police and code enforc Brand said the $80,000 could help a police department decimated by budget cuts. He also said the administration, in the name of eq� more resources on other challenged neighborhoods rather than concentrating so much on Lowell. Council President Larry Westerlund disagreed, saying Downtown and Community Revitalization does excellent work and has already "LeYs not be short-sighted in what is a mid- and long-term solution" to downtown's problems, Westerlund said. Brand's motion required five votes because it would transfer money from one department to another. He only got four. Council Memb and Mike Dages and Westerlund voted no. The council and Swearengin have been gathering about every four months since early 2009 to devise yet another plan to balance a c that has been hammered by the recession. Thursday's session, however, was one of City Hall's longest and most contentious budgel Swearengin's plan, which takes effect Jan. 1, includes: Elimination of 35 to 40 positions, including about 30 jobs that are filled. Many of the positions are in code enforcement. About $3.7 million in departmental reductions, more than half of that from police and fire departments. More than $3 million in labor concessions from the Fresno Police Officers Association. - Top Stories Fresno looks in trash for budget aid Commercial pickup may go private. Posted at 11:38 PM on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010 By George Hostetter / The Fresno Bee The Fresno City Council on Tuesday got its first public look at details for possible outsourcing of the city's commercial tra At a day-long workshop that attracted a standing-room-only crowd to a City Hall conference room, council members had than could be answered and gave few hints of where they stand on the issue. The council is scheduled to cast the first oi on outsourcing on Dec. 2. Commercial trash collection is now performed by a division of the Public Utilities Department that has about 125 workers managers. Mayor Ashley Swearengin in her 2011 budget that began July 1 proposed outsourcing this service. Her goal is to genera in annual franchise fees to help balance the general fund budget. Swearengin also wants companies to provide quality service at competitive rates while hiring as many laid-off city emplo� Residential trash collection would not be privatized. The city hired the consulting firm of HF&H to oversee the bidding process. HF&H President Robert Hilton on Tuesday told the council that five companies submitted bids: Allied, CleanScapes, Mid Waste Connections. The city was divided into four sections, and each company submitted proposals identifying costs and franchise payment: Council members, Swearengin and City Manager Mark Scott soon agreed on one thing: The outsourcing question has nc For example, Hilton recommended that two companies be selected, each serving two sections. But Council Member Lee perhaps should consider four companies, one for each section of the city. The city currently serves about 7,900 commercial trash customers, which includes multifamily residential complexes. ThE that outsourcing would mean lower rates for some customers, higher rates for others. But which customers would be affe much, would depend on many variables, including which companies are selected. Council Member Mike Dages said he would have trouble supporting any proposal that raised rates. The value of each company's bid to a cash-strapped City Hall also is unclear. Companies with higher costs and consume generate bigger annual franchise fees. City Attorney James Sanchez said the city is not required to take the lowest bids. Representatives of several companies said they'd like to submit new bids. Stockton budget relief may be years off � Recordnet.com News STOCKTON BUDGET RELIEF MAY BE YEARS OF� CITY, PUBLiC SAFETY UNIONS REMAIN LOCKED IN DISPUTES ON IMPaSED CUTS By llaniel Thigpen November 17, 2010 Record Staff Writer STOCKTON - The city and its public safety unions are still wrangling over budget cuts imposed this summer to help close a$23 million � fund shortfall. On Tuesday, Stockton officials warned any end to the city's fiscal nightmare could be far from sight. The city projects multimillion-dollar budget deficits for at least the next two fiscal years if no changes are made to the city's labor contrac the police and fire unions, Stockton o�cials told the City Council on Tuesday. Such changes are a work in progress. City Hall and the police union are still negotiating concessions. The fire union is fighting budget measures imposed this year and also preparing to negotiate a new contract. Assuming the city can't get the concessions it needs, officials argued, city budget projections indicate $18.4 million and $26.2 million gei fund deficits the next two fiscal years, respectively. Unrestricted reserves would run tens of millions of dollars in the red. After a budget presentation Tuesday that included the forecast, the City Council approved a resolution to continue for now temporary bu measures it imposed in June without new labor agreements. Those measures included suspending scheduled pay increases for police and fire and temporarily closing a firetruck company. The cou declared a fiscal emergency the month before, a move the city argues gave it the authority to impose the budget measures. Tuesday's vote was not unexpected, given the city has not resolved its labor disputes. And the June emergency measures require a qu� review. But the budget presentation gave the city a chance to elaborate on its fiscal situation. Among other items discussed: » As of Sept. 30, the city has logged general fund savings of 1.4 percent, but officials said that does not reflect long-term savings that justify lifting the council's imposed budget measures on police and fire. » By the end of the fiscal year, on June 30, those savings might need to be applied to a projected $1 million revenue shortfall attributabl� continued economic decline, officials said. The Stockton Police Officers Association's contract expires June 30, 2012. The labor agreement with Stockton Professional Firefighters 456 ends next summer. No representatives from either labor group spoke during Tuesday's meeting. In an interview, Capt. Dave Macedo, the fire union's president, said he would wait to evaluate the city's financial projections until it recei� detailed records it is seeking from City Hall. He said the union and city officials are in dispute over what the union can obtain. Officer Steve Leonesio, the police union president, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. One budget measure taken in June, however, is on hold: a move to change police officers to a 12-hour-shift schedule. Format Dynamics :: CleanPrint :: http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20101116/NEWSOI/1 � �r��.. �8� �. z �� . `. Y �c a �`� � a x � -� '�'U� �i'�ii-*v 1 ,§.3 �, t � ,3 � 2`�� r L ., \ � �"l: S`.". . � a,w�.....:.,.,,u..�i.n,��.*;E... Y.<.�.�. e'. "� v� 7 "``� ..��i�\ � �'� � � . .., ,... •h .�...V ..•. ��..'�. Visalia City Council approves health plan increases for reti rees �'�` ��.��3 �"�:�r��i..1. � ��,�£ r°��i ��s€u>��=�.��f�ra�,x��. cc��a • §��r��;�•�6, �t�� The Visalia City Council voted Monday to increase health-plan contributions paid by city of Visalia retirees and their dependents. Council members also said they would prefer to ultimately exclude retirees older than 65 who become eligible for federal Medicare benefits. Retirees and their dependents face monthly health- plan increases of at least $109 in a four-part plan approved Monday. In the four separate votes, the council voted: > 5-0 to increase rates of $109 for retirees, a total of $182 for retirees-dependents combined, and $155 for dependents alone. > 4-1 with Warren Gubler dissenting, to have dependents bear 75 percent of any future cost increases compared with 25 percent for the retirees themselves. Gubler seeks a longer-term plan for retiree medical-insurance coverage. > 4-1, with Mike Lane dissenting, to offer a lesser increase for retirees with household income less than the Social Security full retirement age earnings limit ($37,000) and to allow retirees older than 65 an option to purchase a high-deductible option through the city. Lane said he favors encouraging retirees 65 and older to rely on Medicare only and opt out of any city coverage. >5-0 for the city to formulate and adopt a more long-term policy toward retiree insurance coverage. The increases will be implemented Feb. 1, the proposal states. However, council members said the city will likely have to severely decrease and even end health-plan involvement because of skyrocketing costs. "We [Visalia] will probably have to get out of it [retiree insurance] altogether," said Visalia Mayor Bob Link. million from Visalia is yet another signal that retirement costs, especially those for health insurance, are escalating beyond the capabilities of most cities. Since the 1980s, until about 2003, when health coverage cost a lot less and there were far fewer retirees, the city paid most of its retirees' monthly health-plan coverage. However, in recent years, the drain on the city's budget has reached a point where steep increases are needed, officials said. Advertisement . �; .�, � "! �';� '� �� i�� =�� - ��.�� 2l1 ��r T�nr� E��e��ti�� Le�r�l Ti�cl�e1� t�o the gal��rsfi� ��ur�cl�,r�, F'lii� T�� H�t Cl�r�s �nrJ Ttnr� 5��1�� U�� t�, ��#�.��'�+1�I�i�� : ffi �� BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Greg Williamson, Chief of Polic DATE: Nove�nber 17, 2010 SUBJECT: Parking in the Alley — Spruce and Jacaronda Council Referral No. 200 (Ward 2) � T . � �V �i` i�,, . _ . ,. ' KERSFI �� %; \��'� ':lt��a� �� '� ��oiic � � � ��,, ��' �� ; .�,� \:J � Council Member Benham requested parking enforcement and a review for a possible cf in the parking regulations in the alley behind Spruce Street and Jacaronda Drive. A constituent reports that large trucks are parking in the alley, allowing no space for emer� vehicles and inadequate room for residents to exit. Council Member Benham's request was assigned to the Operations Division for fallow-u Staff responded to the alley at Spruce and Jacaranda Drive on multiple occasions durinc of the day and has not observed any violations. There are existing posted "No Parking" ; alley. Lt. Mitch Wil�oughby has consulted with City Traffic Engineering staff to make sur� posted the correct dlistance apart. ..�► � - ` .�'�'�� BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Greg Williamson, Chief of Poli e DATE: November 16, 2010 SUBJECT: Vagrancy and Litter on 16t" at the Oak Street Overpass Coun�il Referral No. 201 (Ward 2) ` �, l�yr,�"o'„ - _ . ., I� �,KERSF� �� r ��*� Y.� a/.� .`� �� y,1 .�1 a �` , pLlt s � � s� ��`��; � .� % Council Member B�enham requested that staff patrol the area on 16t" Street at the Oak ; overpass for vagrants and trash. A constituent reports that the property is in a disrespe condition, and ther� is a concern for the safety of residents. Traffic Officers wer� assigned to conduct enforcement at 16th & Oak Street. Officers ha� seven citations for Municipal Code violations and arrested one person for an outstandinc Officers contacted the City Corporation Yard and requested clean up of the area. On No City Corporation Yard crew responded and removed all of the trash. Officers will contin� this area.