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Home My WebLink About03/25/2011� , ` A 4 ' Mar< TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager ��"�r'�� ` SUBJECT: Generallnformation lVtiscell�neous Ne�vs • The quarterly sales tax information arrived - this quarter - which repi Christmas collection period - is up 18.41 pE�rcent over the same c year before! This is the third quarter in a row with positive numbE should not be assumed that this level of increase will be ongoing, i positive. On the negative side, the legislatur�e remains in session wit budget plan as of yet. • Attached you will find an update on park c�onstruction activity with All five parks listed are scheduled to open for public use in 201 l. Yc find three design and construction schedules for recent Council- items, including Q Street Streetscape Improvements, Sister Cities Gar Creek and the Mill House Building at Mill CreE;k. • High Speed Rail visited us again to show sc>me of the City section� forgotten to bring the sheets for last time. Th��y are showing some of grade rather than to be elevated which saves them money, but w displacement of residents and businesses. They say they will hav� meeting - perhaps in April. City staff continues to express concern 1 adequate public information has not been disseminated on this should also not be assumed that because staff has seen drawings tl endorsing their designs. We are not. • I will be taking vacation from March 31 St through April 8th. Rhonda Sr� in charge the 31 St and 1 St. Steve Teglia will be in charge the 4tr, throuc T C? E � Alrea,se� Honorable Mayor and City Council General Information March 25, 201 1 Page 2 Though as of yet there is no concrete decision, we just want you tc efforts are ongoing. ❑ Motorists are advised to avoid Coffee Rocid, between Truxtun A� Brimhall Road, on Thursday, March 24, 201 1, from 9 p.m. to 6 contractor for the Westside Parkway will be performing grading w overhead falsework for the new bridge over Coffee Road requiring f of the northbound and southbound insidle traffic lanes. In ad� contractor will need to periodically stop all traffic in both directions f minutes. Motorists are advised to either use alternate routes or allow to reach their destinations. Motorists may detour around the are� Calloway Drive, via Stockdale Highway and Brimhall Roacl. If work completed during these hours, the preceding information will alsc Friday, March 25, 201 1, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. ❑ In addition, Security Paving Company will bE� placing concrete for � Bridge on Monday, March 28, 201 1. This woi^k will form the stems ar the bridge's westbound lanes. The pour is sc:heduled to begin at 6 c expected to be completed by noon. The pour requires 700 cubi concrete (approximately 80 truckloads) andl will be placed from th� west sides of the bridge. Both northbound and southbound lanes Road will remain open to traffic while work: is underway. Trucks wi both Coffee Road and Calloway Drive to ciccess the site, and will depart throughout the morning so no traffic delays are expected. Redevelo�r�enf News ♦ Redevelopment remains at risk in the legislature. There are rumors o come soon, but as of this writing it's unclear. ♦ The Baker Street Redevelopment Project continues to progress sc The contractors have most of the roof on 13uilding A-1 and are in plumbing and electrical stages of several of the additional buildinc has begun on the second and a third story Uf Building B. Staff believ items will pop up in the future to delay completion of the project. the attached pictures. Honorable Mayor and City Council General Information March 25, 201 1 Pag� 3 partial solutions outlined in the e-mail include employees paying mc healthcare and a permanent 5 percent wage concession fro employees. O San Jose: On the heels of a similar deal bet�veen the city of San Jo� firefighters union, three more city employee unions on Wednesday a that they have reached a tentative agreement to also reduce the benefits 10 percent for the next two years. Together, they repi employees, or 11 percent of the city's unic►n workforce. Seven ot� including the San Jose Police Officers' Association, are still bargainir city. O Stockton: Absent more pay and benefit concessions from Stoc workers, City Hall would need to eliminate 232 jobs - or about 16 perc workforce - to survive a projected $34 million general fund defici� according to figures city leaders will discuss this week. Pensian Refc�rrr� � Stanislaus Countv: Stanislaus County's emplo��ee retirement costs are to be $55.8 million in the next budget year, a$15 million increase ove and could hit $70 million in 2014, officials predict. Those costs, covplE depressed property and sales tax revenue, are the main reasons cite county's multiyear budget-cutting act, which has steadily reduced tr work force and public services. Council Referrais ❖ Councilmember Benham: o Safety Concerns at the Garces Circle Reports infnrm�ti UPDATE ON PARK CONSTRUCTION This project is complete. March 21, 2011 Mesa Marin Sports Cor�plex Sports Village Phas�e I This project is substantially complete and the City has 'full use of the buildings. The contractor is currently working on turf establishment and weed control issue: Once the turf is established, a notice of completion wil! be issued and the contrac begin a 90 day maintenance period. Greystone Park Sewer, Storm Drain, Domestic Water, and Irrigation systems have been installed the exception of a booster pump for irrigation system. Sidewalks areas have been graded and 90% of the sio�ewalks have been installe Streetlight installation is 50% complete. All infrastructure has been installed. Wi needs to be installed and poles still need to be set. The prefabricated restroom building has been installedl. Electrical and plumbing connections to this building are 95% complete. The wet play area is currently being constructed and should be complete within 1 weeks. weeks Kern River Upland and River Edge Restoration All rough grading of the site is complete. All of the paths have been graded and � awaiting appiication oT tne decomposed granite sur�ae�;. The contractor has installed all sediment walls and they are currently working on installing the gabion (decorative cobble) walls. Trees are currently being planted and the irrigation system is being installed. Bo these operation are 80% complete. Foundation work for the information kiosks has begun. Anticipated Completion date: Late May 2011 City in the Hills Park Rough grading of the park site is 80% complete. Foundation substructure is currently being installed for the basketball and tennis Contractor has started trenching for the irrigation system. Anticipated Completion date: August 2011 ■ � � 1I�a � �N � � 0 � � �..� � � � v � ; � 0 Q � � o .� � � � � � � � � y � � V � � i � �"' ca N � � � "�"� 'N � � 0 i.. L � � � � = 0 N � � � c�s m � W N N N a� a� �� . � E N . (O � 1 � T O d = V O N W � Z •> Y r � � � N r � � � � � � � W ,,_, � U C � � � � T 'i m N Q Y Q � �' H � � � � � � 'cn W � � � � � > O � U O � � N � U O a 0 U � � � 0 0 0 0 � � � '� � � °' '> a � � � �� O r N N N f� � � 3 i a � � � U N � T > 0 z � ,� � N � U O � 0 � N � 0 0 0 0 rn � � � � � � U O J � O � � c�i � � � W :� � � � 'c� c� � � m � � � � U � •� � � � � � � � ~ �, U � c� o ti � o � Q. 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O a � �� a� a� � O � � C 0 U � c 0 U � � C O � � c 0 U i i� C O L .� c � Baker Street Redevelo�ment -� �„e� � �` � ��y�� tf�'J " y �9", �c.� � �• � f � ��" �' I �y�. � �.. � � � .Y . ti.,�} � � � 5, . �'-��'°�,�` , '��.. � �� f � �" ' ��S �ii ` � _. � "�°'�" � ` ''�� !� ��`� .��, ..F , a-.'e�"� ..��t� ��y� � ��.�, . � A�%� � � .�'� � "�- � �„ < ,�s.,-r� �� '"�� .� . ��.��fi ..�. � �r��@ ,�.. � �� a _ • � w '��'� �'�n�� _ ��a�..�.�� .�� .,. �P►�� -r�� -q! � , �. �,� r . � � ��,� f � t� , , � � ��` -- � �, w _ � � _ . � . �' � �?"�� s - � �.a�,..,``"� � �` � � . R �'� '_.�.�. ,'�°' '�":e+r� � �" _ ; � k ��' ....r� �`R�.-.< � ' � . .�� . �' �i' �'- �,� . � � � ' " . ..,�e, +�` �, � ��, . �/ �, s � '��' � � .. ..�!F.....i _� .� �y.' .s'-<,.,,s.—�.sarr. --___"_. __... .._.. .._ .. _._ . .._"__"_'. ._ . --_. _.--�T' .. . _ . ..___ ' ' _ _ __' � ;i i � ^f+�. N y:' . � .��'rs '�^`LL-'-: ' y ',, .:;:3::�. �^" s - ''"� �- ;:`t; :u ; 1 --�--�--_ _ . � . y+4"'i.r . s�.,,.,� . �F , �.q��,y�$�� F�- . `� �� ; a�'a.�,# �,�.• , . ,r�}�� £�lY�i�:j• . ' �is P�� r 1 +i Y { r. .` � � �Y� �:�; b�N�' � ��,� ` �� ; _. „ � i�.�R � � � � —°.---_. _ ,` �%�i&� �. 1 i LJ � . ��.— '+� ��i j9 � . � � : �� ' �I FresnoBee.com News Blo�: Mark Scott pulls no punches in e-mail to ... http://fresnobeehive.com/news/2011/03/mark : � 3�� Z . . ._..y� � l � �� C,a. . � .�� '�s � � , �� i��+a�+�r �_ �.. �� . �stts,u.ti.u„i .a....::�.s.. .. uu«u.�: ..,. ...:. ,.:.; :.: .: �... :::�. BUSINF.SS POUTICAL NOTEBOOK EARTH CITY BEAT HEAL.TH RELIGION EPICENTER SENDAI «�resno huildi�se� �rm6�t..�; f�li fua s�cond month � R1ain � Hey, Verizar�, c�� e�u hear me nvvu? » MARCiI 22, zoii ':� Mark Soott puD.s no p�ches in �mail to caty workers Fresno City Manager Marfc Smtt tackled the city's budget crisis in a frank e-mail sent to city employees on Monday moming. The letter is another indication that the xonomic landscape in Fresno's municipal govemment most likely has changed forever. It suggests that the biggest challenge for elected o�cials, managers and rank-and-fle workers i, coming to grips with lower expectations. "Dear City Team;' Scott said. "I am writing to address a number of questions I am being asked by employees conceming the budget situation and our recent request to bargaining groups to consider compensation concessions." Scott, on the job for almost a year, acknowledged that city employees have already sacrificed much to help balance a series of budget woes. "I have quickly leamed how much you all care about the City, about the public, and about one another," Scott said. "We very much appreciate the many concessions our bargaining groups have already made." But as is always the case in the real worid, budget numbers trump good will. Scott explained the scene: * The city expects an $18 million gene2l fund shortfall for Fiscal Year 2012, which begins July 1. * Non-personnel cost-saving st2tegies (which aren't explained) could cut the shortfall to $9 million. OTHF.K EI;IiHICE Y,I.OGS i�150-� �}�(;#tiVB ogin�oEi �:,tF. °.pus'¢ , Biaz<. "r'u€itaca8 hlb:i;:>:iuit v.:,c: TIr�1':a p3iotoyc:z}ai':•y OTFiF,Ii BF.£•. SITtiS !rr.s�2oi�f>4>. �r,r�: C er:e r aiValEey. c or3 s eler,iiuns, fresnr,L-cehive, r,�os�� RECHNT C(?MMF,NTS iv9aRY:pH;�35t:;td on �r•::a� sa�nmoar �nYtuc€ay iso Ftes�tu '.or .Piraet rrt�r.krr:; %r1AF:Y.t�Ha(SOtJ on L'iill�le5:. cs f �iqtt•s;>eed raii r,onsuk°:ir�°. ta r,;:a�« L41'81tt)fI YC;)(iY: fOf lI3R jo3� * Where to get the other $9 million? The administration of Mayor Ashley Swearengin is asking for a permanent 5% wage concession from all city employees. This goes for union workers and non-union managers. This goes rvtoi�E c:;�rAS3o on r��.a,�s Ular>ts ��eed:a ::a�era�e of for folks in enterprise departments and those funded by the gene2l fund. Scott said the concession would save ,��,a�,,,:se n::kc: ri;se,sr�r about $5 million annually. Yvt&P.'Y J{7hi+V9C'��l on `Nt�ae ;a * The Administ2tion also wants employees to pay more for their healthcare. The payment split currently is 80% ciifr�:; anca by the city, 20% by the employee. The Administration is asking for a 70/30 split. This would save about $2 million a year, Scott said. FRIOR FUSTS The concessions "would be very meaningful," Scott said. "We would still need to make other cuts, but they will be far less painful with the concessions. In fact, to get maximum value fmm the cuts, we plan to make our first cuts in the next few weeks, to minimize our deficit in FYI1." Scott then provided answers to questions that he often gets around the City Hall water cooler. They included: 1.) Is the City's financial situation really worse than in the past? "Yes, this is a different downtum than in the past, and we have few options....We are far out of balance from a budget standpoint, and our overall financial health is poor, except in some of our highly restricted enterprise funds;' Scott said. Two unions had the city's books examined by outside experts who confirmed this bleak assessment, Scott said. The problems are seemingly endless. Scott pointed to the state of Califomia's own budget woes are sure to be felt at City Hall in the near future. City revenues are down or stagnant, while expenses (medical, workers mmp, litigation among them) are up. There's no money in many reserve accounts. The city has a ton of bond debt, and the bondholders must be paid. The funding of employee obligations -- such as pensions -- eats a huge chunk of the general fund. "Ultimately, we have to pay our debts, and we have to make payroll," Scott said. (On a personal note, I was struck by where Scott placed the blame for this tough economic picture. He notes that the city borrowed a lot of money on the bond market with no solid revenue streams to pay the annual debt . . . . , . • _ _' _ _. __ _ � ._ _ _ _ � �.�'_ '� __... ..�....... � �.....,,a,��.io o � �f c.-.,rr �ll.lori mnct nf thn Ansv:eriax� iiie cael }'fOi.t58 Y.'i:RP.i' :lilCi (:)OY•'P,E' COf'FYt3iiti bb COf71711 � t(! Gt'AS{TO hice� natir,na; i?lc�i3es ie�nite air burYlr o�.�er Fresnr, !�r,:akfns� Lireks F:�a,st�:o's 1uc7i�s ten'�;t acf�icit:�i �iS;i�:' i3: '� i).:1: .axc�ii�-ss _. March 2011 : co! : tiLrBSCRIY.ti TC> TfIIS BLI�G'S FEEU 4��iii� iS ��'165��; FresnoBee.com News Blog: Mark Scott pulls no punches in e-mail to ... hrip://fresnobeehive.corn/news/2011/03/mark � the cont2ct for each bargaining unit expires and the two sides (union/management) retum to the bargaining table, Scott said. 3.) Does the City proposal apply to all employees, represented and unrepresented? (In other words, union members and top-level managers.) "Yes, our request is to all employees," Smtt said. 4.) Why ask for concessions from departments that don't depend on the generdl fund? In essence, Scott said the budget crisis is battering every city department, therefore the burden of weathering the storm should be bome by everyone. City o�cials "are asking all employees to be part of the solution on an equitable basis," Scott said. 5.) What if the unions refuse to play ball? "T his is the issue of the day!" Scott said. "We will look elsewhere to cut our costs. Our options on the revenue side are limited, so most of our efForts will have to focus on the expense side." In other words, when it comes to cuts, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Scott noted that the City Council recently rejected the Administration's effort to privatize the city's commercial trash-collection service. Out-sourcing that service to two private firms would have produced about $2.5 million in franchise fees annually for the general fund. 'That would have helped, but [the proposal] didn't pass," Scott said. "So we have moved on to other options." Scott didn't point out that the privatization effort failed 4-3. One vote. "AS you no doubt know, we are very actively working on some deep cuts over the next few weeks," Scott said. "We have no choice or we muld have an untenable cash flow situation by May or June. To the extent we cut ongoing costs (salaries or other recurring expenses), the cuts will reduce the FY12 deficit as well." (Personal note: "untenable cash flow situation by May or June" -- If that were allowed to happen, are we looking at bankruptcy?) 6.) Is the City looking for other savings? Yes, Scott said. For example, the Administ2tion is trying to reduce liability risks; the city doesn't need any more expensive lawsuits and big cash judgments. "We have significantly reduced the number of take-hjome cars," Scott said. Services have been cut, but that often leads to layoffs, he added. Scott said the city, thraugh more aggressive auditing, has seen a$1.4 million jump in Business License Tax receipts this year. The city is also aggressively auditing leases, trust accounts and overclue bills to make sure iYs not leaving money on the table, Scott said. 7.) Is there an end to this? 'That's my nightly p2yer," Scott said. But, in essence, Scott's answer is: Who knows? The economy seems to be getting better. There will be winners and losers among cities. Fresno can be a winner if its people improve their competitive foundation: Education, work skills, commitment. Fresno can be a winner if its physical foundation improves: Downtown revitalization, neighborhood rebirth, economic investment. Powerful urban centers fgure to be the winners in the 21st century global economy, Scott said. "Cities like Fresno are on the bubble," he uid. In conclusion, Scott said he will be in the Council Chamber from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on both Monday (March 28) and Tuesday (March 29) to answer employee questions. "I am asking Department Heads to make the time available for you to attend on a voluntary basis," Scott said. (Personal note: I'm betting [hose will be lively sessions.) Pos[ed by George Hostetter at 4:30 PM � Pcrma?iai: � �ommerots ±0; � La::k?;acks (0; This user has not yet provided a bio. __ _ _._. _ _ _ _ . _ _ . _ Post a comment (read the conv�rrent po€icy be;frare �osgi�ry) Name: Email Address URL Remember Me? Yes � No Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style) Format Dynainics :: C1eanPrint :: htt�://www.mercurynews.com/polit. t� �,�e�CU� �ieW� � � MercuryNews.com ,. � . � . , . � , � � � . . . . � _ i ` 1' _ By Tracy Seipel tseipel a�rnercurynews.com Posted: 03/23/2011 06:52:05 PM PDT Updated: 03/23/2011 09:50:54 PM PDT Four down, seven to go. On the heels of a similar deal beiween the city of San Jose and the firefighters union, three more city employee unions on Wednesday announced that they have reached atentative agreement to also reduce their pay and benefits 10 percent for the next two years. The three unions represent city engineers and architects, supervisors of trade workers and midlevel managers. Together, they represent 623 employees, or 11 percent of the city's union workforce. Seven other unions, including the San Jose Police Officers' Association, are still bargaining with the city. At a brief news conference at City Hall on Wednesday aftemoon attended by several City Council members and a handful ofunion leaders, Mayor Chuck Reed lauded the unions"'willingness to take what is a difficult step. "... It's not something anybody wants to do." With the city facing a budgetdeficit of at least $105.4 million in the next fiscal year, however, union leaders said that sacrifices rrust be made to save as many jobs and city seivices as possible. But even if all 11 unions agree to the 10 percent cuts, city officials say, there will be layoffs and service reductions. City officials said Wednesday that the concessions by the three unions -- which keep in effect a 10 nPrr.Pnt tntal ��mnensation cutthev aareed to last http: //www. mercurynew s.com/fdcp? also agreed to eliminate by January 2013 their ability to sell back vacation time to the city, as well as elimina supplemental workers' compensation policy by � 2012. The tentativ�e agreements must still be ratified b members of the three unions. A vote by the City Council on �he deals is expected in April. On Tuesday; the council voted 9-2 to approve a deal in whicV� cityfirefighters agreed to the 10 percent cuts in compensation. The firefighters a agreed to same operational changes -- reducinc staffing on firetrucks from five to four — and to p more for their health coverage. Contact Tracy Seipel at 408-275-0140. t. ° �: ;. R'; • The requested page has been blc of the internet acceptab 232 jobs loom over Stockton labor talks � Recordnet.com http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl � @lftl S 232 JC3BS L4C3M OVER STOCKTON L.AE�OR T�iLKS CITY CUULD SEE SIGNlFICANT CUTS DUE T� PROJECTED $34 MILLiOh! DEFICIT By Daniel Thigpen and Christian Burkin March 21, 2011 Record Staff Wr�ers also by Christian Burkin STOCKTON - Absent more pay and benefit concessions from Stockton's city workers, City Hall would neE eliminate 232 jobs - or about 16 percent of the workforce - to survive a��rojected $34 million general fund this year, according to figures city leaders will discuss this week. Such a hit would lead to sweeping service reductions in the city's fourth r,onsecutive year of deficits, offici� as another brutal round of labor negotiations commences. Of the proposed job cuts, most target firefighters and the Police Department's supporting civilian ranks. That, in part, indicates reluctance by city leaders to cut many more sworn police-officer positions in a crirr plagued city, when most agree staffing already is at critically low levels. The proposed cuts also reflect a challenging reality heading into labor talks. Stockton's contracts with its major police and civilian unions are locked in until 2012 and 2014, respectivel Only the fire union - whose labor agreement has protected it from layoffa - has a contract that expires bef July 1, the start of the fiscal year when the city must balance its budget. Even if the city and its fire union cannot agree to wage concessions, the City Council can impose cuts. "Getting any concessions from ... any of the other labor groups is a lot more difficult for the city. We don't lot of options," Councilman Dale Fritchen said. "We have more options w�ith the fire contract." VVeak r�rrenue fore�as� Just a month ago, the city estimated a$27 million deficit driven largely by rising employee costs. Health and retirement benefits and incentive pays - for certifications, educational degrees and other speci designations - continue to push the city toward insolvency, officials say. For every $1 in base salaries spent, the city estimates it pays $1.15 in those benefits, City Manager Bob has said. The additional $7 million general fund deficit revealed last week includes revised revenue projections unde financial team, Deis said. The projection includes cutbacks in revenue-generating programs, including code enforcement, vehicle im� and contracts to provide fire services outside Stockton. 232 jobs loom over Stockton labor talks � Recordnet.com http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl greater share than sought in years past. To get there without concessions, the city would have to lay off 73 firefighters, cut an additional five positic through attrition and reduce staffing on engines and trucks, officials said. Three engine companies and two truck companies - including the one shuttered last year - also would be c according to a city staff report. Under that plan, the number of firefighters on duty each day would drop from 70 to 42. "There's no way the city could function with those numbers," said Fire Ca�pt. Dave Macedo, president of S� Professional Firefighters Local 456. Macedo said the union still would agree to concessions it has offered in the past - including a two-tiered p� system, greater employee contributions to retirement and health care. Hp also said the union is open to compromising on staffing reductions it has fought in the past. Proposed cuts to the Police Department, about $13 million, include the e�imination of 115 positions, the m� of them civilian positions. The cuts would include eliminating a gang unit ��nd graffiti abatement. The sworn ranks have been cut from 441 officers in 2009 to 342 today through early retirements and layo� Under the proposed cuts, an additional 11 officers would be laid off. The department is likely leaning on civilian employees to balance the budget through concessions or cuts, because it can't sustain many more sworn staffing cuts, Councilman Elbe�rt Holman Jr. said. "The Police Department is at a critical level with the amount of violent crime we're facing on a daily basis," said. Leaders with the police union - though it doesn't represent the department's civilian force - said they are committed to negotiating savings. Steve Leonesio, president of the Stockton Police Officers' Association, said the union offered savings in 0 through proposed pension contributions and health and retiree medical cancessions. The plan, he said, wc save $2 million in the upcoming fiscal year and millions more in future years of an extended contract. City leaders repeatedly have said they oppose contract extensions. Challenging talks ahea�i Many of the Police Department's civilian workers are represented by the Stockton City Employees' Assoc the city's biggest by members but not in pay. The association has made clear it is not interested in renegotiating its entire contract, which doesn't expirE 2014. In a March 11 letter to City Hall, union lawyer Joe Rose outlined concessions already bargained in previou years, including agreements to extend furloughs and forfeit a pay raise last year. An estimated 2.5 percer increase is due July 1. "The ball is in the city's court to come up with something that looks like a plan," Rose said. The Modesto Bee � Stanislaus looking at retirement cost increase of $15M http://www.modbee.com/2011/03/19/v-prind ��.+� ��+�.��C �� ' Print 'I'his �-tic:lc ........... ...... ................ .. ... .. Posted on Sun, Mar. 20, 2o1i Stanislaus looking at retirement cost increase of $15M By Ken Carlsonkcarison modbee. com /ast updated: March 20, 2019 02:16:22 AM IVIODESTt} -- � Stanislaus County's employee retirement costs are expected to be $55.8 nzillion in the next budget year, a$ increase over this year, and could hit $�o million in 2oi4, officials predict. Those costs, coupled with depressed property and sales tax revenue, are i:he main reasons cited for the cou multiyear budget-cutting act, which has steadily reduced the county work force and public services. Tuesday, county officials will ask the Stanislaus County Employees' Retir�ement Association to shift $i2.6 rr supplemental benefit reserves to offset part of the cost increase. If the retirement board does not agree, the be forced to make deeper cuts, said Monica Nino, assistant executive officer for the county. Ceres and the Superior Court, which are part of the pension system, also could ask for assistance. In 2000, the county's annual pension cost was about $i8.4 million. But several factors have saddled the coi additional costs, including a major benefit increase in 2002, employee pa.y raises, faulty assumptions about patterns and the stock market collapse of 2008 and early 2009. F,ven though the county's retirement payments have tripled in i1 years, StanCERA's $i.3� billion pension fi just �6 percent of benefits owed to its �,85o members. The association m,anages benefits for employees and the county, Ceres, the Superior Court and five special districts. The system is funded through StanCI:RA's investment earnings and cont��ibutions from employers and gov� workers. The county's $55.8 million cost in the budget year that starts July i will include a$4i.i million payment to for normal costs and unfunded liabilities, a$io.� million payment on a 1y95 pension bond and more than : pay the retirement contributions for public safety employees. A projected $5o million payment to StanCF,RA, combined with the two other cost items, will push the total million in 2oi2-i3. The cost is expected to be ��o.i million in 2oi3-i4. Nino said the projections assuine that StanCERA's investments will earn 8 percent each year. A higher retu shave a few million dollars off the cost; lower earnings could add to the burden. 'The county will get some relief after making a final payment on the pens:ion bond in 2oi3-i4. But it needs 1 through the next three years, Nino said. The request for Stan-CERA to transfer $i2.6 million in reserves into its main pension fund will be consider nine-member retirement board, whose members are chosen by county supervisors, employees and retiree� "I support shifting the $i2.6 million," said Jeff Grover, a former county supervisor and StanC�RA board m "Reserves are for maintaining the health of the retirement system in times of financial stress." In the past two years, StanCERA has agreed to transfer $8o million in supplemental benefit reserves to rec countv's costs. The reserves have paid for extra benefits, such as a medic�l stipend up to $37o a month, wh The Modesto Bee � Stanislaus looking at retirement cost increase of $15M http://www.modbee.com/2011/03/19/v-prind "Part of that money was earnings from what the retirees paid in," said Rhonda Biesemeier, president of Ret Employees of Stanislaus County. "It's not right for the county to say 'We're taking the interest and what else from it.' " County leaders have been trying to rein in pension costs. For example, they are establishing lower pension � newly hired employees through negotiations with labor groups. The reduced benefits should start having an effect on pension costs within five years. Recent furloughs and freezes have kept the costs from going even higher, and the county could ask employees to contribute more pensions. "It is incredible what we are paying for this," said Jim DeMartini, a county supervisor and StanCERA board "The laws are clear that we can't change the benefits for current employees. I'm not sure what we can do ne The StanCERA board will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the sixth floor boardroom at 832 i2th St. 600, Modesto. This article is protected by copyright and should not be printed or distributed for anything except �ersonal use. Copyright O 2011, The Modesto Bee, 1325 H St., Modesto, CA 95354 Phone: (209) 578-2000. TO: FROM: DATE: SU BJ ECT: � �,� �a,�,.,.�._._ .��,� L � A K E I� S F I E L D CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM Alan Tandy, City Manager Raul Rojas, Public Works Director March 21, 2011 , �-�. SAFETY CONCERNS AT THE GARCES CIRCLE Referral No. 216 COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM RE�UESTED THAT STAFF COI�TACT BRYAN WILLIAMS REGARDING SOME SAFETY CONCERNS AT THE GARCES CIRCLE, AND REFER TO THE MATfER TO CALTRANS, IF NECESSARY. Traffic Engineering staff contacted Mr. Williams regarding his safety concern. F experience, in going eastbound on 30th Street and er�tering Garces Circle, a ve the outside right turn lane will offen cut back leff, in fr��nt of the path of the insi< turn lane vehicle, in order to continue around the circlE�. The lane configuration at this location has been the same for many years. Hc due to construction at the circle, the pavement rnarkings to help guide � through the area are faded and may be causing clriver confusion. City crE repaint the striping and pavement arrows to help k�etter delineate the lane accident history at the location will also be checked to see if a change in confic or pavement markings would be beneficial. Paqe 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK rCHEDULE Week of March 28, 2011 — Ap�ril 1, 2011 Resurfacinq/Reconstructinq streets in the followinq areas: Section repairs on Truxtun Ave. between Mohawk & Westwirid (Night & Weekend work (CDBG funded area) Preparing streets in the area north of B�IIe Terrace and west of "F reconstruction ResurFacing sections at the Bakersfield Airpark (weather permitting) Miscellaneous Streets Division proiects: Installing Handicapped ramps and repairing concrete in the k:ern City area Preparing parking lot for paving at Mesa Marin Sports Complex (weather permitting) (CDBG funded area) Installing & Repairing curb, gutter & sidewalks in the area east north of Flower St (CDBG funded area) Installing & Repairing curb, gutter & sidewalks in the area west o1 of California Ave (CDBG funded area) Installing & Repairing curb, gutter & sidewalks in the area East of south of Freeway 58. Video inspection of City own�d Sewer & Storm lines to evaluate condition of pipes Install catch basin and storm line into drainage sump at Buena Vista and Chamber are< THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Paqe 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHIEDULE Monday, March 28, 2011 Between Coffee Rd. & Verdugo Ln. — Brimhall Rd., south to tlhe 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 Li Between Jenkins Rd. & Allen Rd. — Stockdale Hwy. & Birkeni�eld Ave. Between Hosking Rd. & Astro Ave. — So. "H" St. & Union AvE�. Tuesdav, March 29, 2011 All sweepers are assigned tc� sweeping streets that are not on a set sweeping schedule Wednesdav, March 30, 2011 All sweepers are assigned to sweeping streets that are not on a set sweeping schedule Thursdav, March 31, 2011 All sweepers are assigned to sweeping streets that are not on a set sweeping schedule Friday, April 1, 2011 Between Buena Vista Rd. & Allen Rd. — Harris Rd. & Panam�� Ln. Between Buena Vista Rd. & Mountain Vista Dr. — Panama Lr�. & Birkshire Rd. Between 178 Hwy. & Paladino Dr. — W. Columbus St. & Morning Dr. City areas between Sterling Rd. & Morning Dr. — 178 Hwy. & College Ave. Between Valley St. & Lene PI. -- !78 Hwy & Hickory Dr. Between 178 Hwy. & Reynard Rd. — Kern Canyon Rd. & McNCenna St. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Joseph Dr. — McDonald Wy. & N.. Stine Rd. 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