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Home My WebLink About05/06/2011� • �, t�.,; c . - -- —.. . OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER TO: Honorable Mayor and City FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: Generallnformation Miscellaneous News • Staff does respectfully request that if Councilmembers have change� make in the proposed budget, please let us know as soon in the proc� Doing so can prevent confusion, lack of relevant information, etc at th� We also will provide you with a running list of any questions that are n responded to on the evening of the presentations. • We are pleased to announce that the Department of Housin� Development has evaluated Bakersfield's performance utilizing its alloc & HOME entitlement program funds as "Good". A"Good" rating performance based rating designated by HUD. The rating is based on ai the City's annual Consolidated Performance and Evaluation Report ( means the City has addressed key strategic program goals and objecti context and meaning to annual and cumulative accomplishments. HUD's commentary is a rating based on how much progress has been meeting long range goals and objectives stated in the City's 5 year strat Redevelopment News o According to news reports, the State Legislative Counsel has advised that the capture of redevelopment funds may be illegal. People election results from last November knew that already, of course - mayl keep them from the Governor's proposed raid! High Speed Rail News ■ Enclosed in your packet you will find a letter sent to the California H Authority Chief Executive Officer following up on the Council discussic outlining staff's ongoing concerns with the lack of information being s r�i ihlir� nhni it thP r�rnir��t Honorable Mayor and City Council General Information May 6, 201 1 Page 2 traveling in this area during these hours should allow additional time destinations. Coffee Road will re-open to traffic, with two lanes in each to the morning commute. The closure is necessary to safely remove falsework from the new Westside Parkway Bridge at Coffee Road. Th carry the westbound lanes for the Westside Parkway. The contractor ex erecting falsework for the remaining bridge structure within the next few �� The Thomas Roads Improvement Program's Centennial Corridor Projeci Team will host a Progress Update Meeting on Wednesday, May 1 1, 201 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Kern County Administrative Bui located at 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield. The meeting will pro information on the proposed Centennial Corridor Project. The project v an alignment for a transportation facility to provide increased connec traveling within Bakersfield and to provide a continuous route along Stc Interstate 5. During the open-house format meeting, attendees opportunity to review current proposed alternative alignment maps; s� about ongoing environmental studies and the right-of-way process; anc on the project. Budqet News O Fresno County: Fresno County's budget gap has widened by $� administrators are now preparing for $35 million in spending cuts that lik hundreds of job losses. O Merced County: With an expected budget deficit in excess of $20 n County officials are looking for ways to help close the gap -- and pay c table. The proposal is aimed at saving jobs and maintaining services. O Modesto: As they prepare to kick off budget meetings next week, Mc are talking as much about the proposed new budget as they are a loc the 2012-13 fiscal year. The spending plan for the year starting July 1 reduce Modesto's firefighting force and make other cuts to deal witr general fund deficit. But officials are far more concerned about a budc from now, which could be $12 million to $15 million. O San Jose: Facina the first lavoff of officers in city history, San Jose pc Honorable Mayor and City Council General Information May 6, 201 1 Page 3 services depend largely on the outcome of negotiations with the city over pay and benefits. Pension Reform � Lodi: Tough financial times are expected to prompt city of Lodi � employees for new concessions that are likely to include pension contr assume additional costs for medical benefits. Reports For your information, we enclose the following information: > The Streets Division work schedule for the week beginning May 9th; AT:rs:ch cc: Department Heads Roberta Gafford, City Clerk � B A K E R S F I E L D .�lan Tandv � Cit� ManaQc�r May 3, 201 1 Mr. Roelof van Ark Chief Executive Officer California High-Speed Rail Authority 925 L Street, Suite 1425 Sacramenfio, CA 95814 Dear Mr. van Ark: Recently, City stcff provided the Bakersfield City Council with an u� regarding the current status or the California High-Speed Rail Proje�t �pdafie included the most current information known about the Prc including information related to the Initial Construction Segment, the c� environmental work schedule, ongoing "value engineering" analysis, and E to seek additional federal funding. This prese�tation also highlighted fihe aggressive timeline fihat the High-S� Rail Authority (Authority) is operating under, in order to comply with sp� requirements associated with ihe Projecfi's federal funding. SfiOff provide� Council with an overview of the communication that has taken pface bet� the Cifiy and the Authority fior the better part of the past two years, includin fact that C+ty staff has continued to work with the Aufihority fio pr� appropriate comment as Project information has �een revealed. Notwithstanding this infieraction with the Authority, the City still has a co� that manv stakeholders and the general public do not have a full grasp c scope of the Project and a true understanding of its potentia( impacts o community. In an effort to try and bridge this gap, the Council directed st request the Authority's assistance in increasing fihe level of communicatior informatian that is shared with the public. We are aware that the environmenfial document is scheduled to be released sometime in late .! this year and thafi an opportunity for the public to comment will be provide - --- . �. � �� - --- __ I..�._.... 1L... A � ��L��ri��i• 2. Conduct a meeting with each Counciime�nber to defiail the sp project impacts in their respective Wards; 3. Provide the public, via the Authority website, detailed maps depictir areas of impact for each proposed alignment through Baker incfuding right of way requirements, elevations, and project consfr� footprints; and 4. Provide a"Workshop" style presentation at a future City of Balce Planning Commission meeting 'ro elicit public comment on the en��ironmental document. The City �iews these requests as essential steps ro increase public aw�ar and knowledge of the Project and encourages any efforts that suppor goal. I would like fio close by thanking you and yo�r staff for the recent up you have provided City staff, and we look forw�rd to working with y� address these requests. Sincerely, �,!" �� . _--- ,. ,.- , ,' Alan Tandy City Manager i ,� � ;' � '/ i� cc: Honorable Moyor and Cify Covnci! Rac.�l Rojas, Publrc Works Direcror Jim Eggert, Plcnning Direcfor Donna Kunz, Economic an� Commur,ity Director Thomas Roads Improvement Program 900 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 200, I3akersficld, Calirc�rnia y3301 Telephone: (661) 326-3700 • Fax: (661) 852-2195 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 5, 2011 Traffic Advisory R�� i•� i Contact: Janet Wheeler TRIP Public Inf (661) 326-3491 Nighttime Road Closure on Coffee Road Motorists are advised that nighttime Westside Parkway construction work will require a closure on Coffee Road, between Truxtun Avenue and Brimhall Road. This closure � between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., from Sunday, May 8, 2011 through Thursday, 2011. Motorists may detour around the area by using Calloway Drive, via Stockdale High Brimhall Road (see attached detour map). Motorists traveling in this area during the should allow additional time to reach their destinations. Coffee Road will re-open to tr� two lanes in each direction, prior to the morning commute. The closure is necessary to safely remove the overhead falsework from the new 1 Parkway Bridge at Coffee Road. This structure will carry the westbound lanes for the 1 Parkway. The contractor expects to begin erecting falsework for the remaining bridge within the next few weeks. The Thomas Roads Improvement Program apologizes for any inconvenience this cause the traveling public. 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'! ��.. � j�� . :'r��r � �\ . h�r� r.' • r 1� .5��.:rs .... ....._ _... .._, �� s�,.� ,'"�_, �r1 l ♦JrJ,�� C `•� ^'� ✓ � �=.i �; �` �".�- :f�.�,'� 4��.1 T•",'�i.� � t. ,'�',. � 1+ a .�; •.`'�,�y #.'' - � �' - �✓ � �" Y'I " ''�i'f '�i'� � L :y , �t.s. .T+ � r� ` _ ` � � � �'� , � .��' >J� � `\ pf , F. � �t •. � i � _� '_' 1.- �_ iY .y-��"' '' • �. �,,f�• � ' � �� 1 I� t � � � ' � � r � } � .;�} :�� +.. R �' � � � . '�'� � � IQ��.i � iQ � . �;. , '�l.� ,`. .. ;{ , f .�/�'' ...�, , t'w` � �' .\\/� r�+ �_� y i C t t� ��,• !ar % .. ._ �.� t' 1 A,r. • "' �j1 -„ °j .,�'• � � ' ; { r . q � !.,% - ✓� � . .�� •�,� \� 4 �`�. _. ... , .. - .r r�.. �16. :`7R:� �f�� L��w�ti� .�i^4s�• . _ _' �� . . � - l.c�cal http:;i�vw��.ti-csnobce.com%?O1l!04l?9i'v-prii Fresno Count faces $35 million y cuts Hundreds of job losses are expected. Posted at 10:14 PM on Friday, Apr. 29, 2011 By Kurtis Alexander / The Fresno Bee Fresno County's budget gap has widened by $4 million, and administrators are now prep< $35 million in spending cuts that likely will lead to hundreds of job losses. Tax revenues have been lower than anticipated, and the county has little remaining time 1 additional money to pay the bills in the 2011-12 budget year. Barring any last-minute windfalls, the county will have to implement a plan drafted this mo County Administrative Officer John Navarrette that likely will mean fewer sheriff's deputie tending to crime, fewer agricultural inspectors looking after crop safety and fewer code enforcement officers safeguarding new homes and businesses. "Our [money] train is not coming in," Navarrette said this week. "Everybody is just now m the adjustments." County administrators had hoped local sales and property taxes would recover more quic the recession. They also had hoped state funding would increase. Neither has, however. And like cities and counties across the state, Fresno County has continued to face higher operating costs, namely retirement expenses. The result has left Fresno County leaders struggling to meet a June 30 deadline for balar upcoming year's $251 million discretionary fund -- a small part of the county's overall $1.' budget, but significant because county leaders have direct say over how it's spent. County leaders still hope to bridge part of their shortfall through pay and benefit concessi employees -- labor negotiations are continuing -- but they acknowledge this will only savE much. The bulk of the savings is expected to come from county departments most reliant on co� fundinp. such as public safetv aqencies. - l.ucal http:!,'ww��.it'esnob�t.cont�201 1 �0=�;?9/v-prii of Supervisors will find a way to avert the reduction. Mims said she can't afford to lose any more employees. Nearly 25% of her work force h� cut since 2007, leaving fewer deputies on patrol and fewer correctional officers to guard More of the same can be expected, Mims has said, if her budget is trimmed further. The county's agricultural commissioner expects her department's 15% cut will make it hai her staff to inspect local crops for pests and disease. "It's not a five-minute 'walk in and look at a couple of boxes and leave,' " said commissior Hafner. "This takes a lot of time." A 10% cut proposed for the Public Works and Planning Department would increase a bac code enforcement cases, such as complaints about trash in a neighbors' yard, public woi officials said. County administrators say they hope negotiations with union leaders will produce saving; will spare some public service cuts. Last week, unions representing hundreds of sheriff s deputies and sergeants agreed to a pay cuts of 6% for the next 21/2 years as well as scale back vacation time, reduce extra during evening shifts and do away with uniform allowances. Navarrette, who works under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, says he's seekin� pay cut from Service Employees International Union employees, which make up nearly tv� of the county work force. But SEIU representatives have said 10% is too much since other employee groups are k asked to sacrifice less. The current budget plan does not call for changes to supervisor salaries and proposes sr concessions for most employee groups than for SEIU. "If the board is really serious about the budget issue and wants us to be partners with thE should take an equivalent wage cut, said Tom Abshere, director of SEIU Local 521. Navarrette defended the wage proposals, saying this year's targets take into considerati� salary concessions. Supervisors, for example, took at least a 40-hour salary reduction 12 county records show. - L�cal http::'!www.ti�esnobee.com/2011 %04'?9Iv-pri� Said county Supervisor Henry Perea, 'There's no question, this is very, very serious." Pay cuts considered way to avoid layofts in Mcrced County -- Merce... http:!/www.mercedsunstar.com/2011/OS/04/� Wednesday, May. 04, 2011 Pay cuts considered way to avoid layoffs in Merced County Reductions could affect employees at every level. By MIKE NORTH mnorthC�mcrcedsun-sta r.com with an expected budget deficit in excess of $20 million, Merced County officials are looking for ways to help close pay cuts are on the table. The proposal is aimed at saving jobs and maintaining services, said Merced County Executive Officer Larry Combs. estimated that more than 150 county employees could be laid off. Cutbacks in salary could help trim that number. "We are in fact discussing pay reductions and other benefit change� The pay reductions could involve every county employee, Combs said. Even the Board of Supervisors wouldn't be i reductions. During a board meeting Tuesday, Supervisor Deidre Kelsey said she expects to take a pay cut. Supervi: took a S percent pay cut a couple of years ago, and it's still in place today. The county is negotiating with the unions of all represented employees, Combs said, adding that recent discussions construdive. At the direction of Combs and the Board of Supervisors, a 7.5 percent salary decrease is being considered, accordii from the Local 2703 Merced County Employees Association. The union represents 75 percent of local government e Merced County. The county also is pushing employees to pay more of their retirement and insurance costs, according to the notice. Pay reductions would become effective ]une 20, and if an agreement isn't reached by June 6, the county claims the additional cuts, according to the notice. AII elements considered, the redudions sound more like 25 percent instead of 7.5 percent, said Jane Ornberg, an a counselor at )uvenile Hall. "I think the way it's being handled really has people upset," Ornberg said. "They're goin eliminate all overtime, they want to eliminate all paid holidays, eliminate all Ioyalty bonuses and they refuse to dis Negotiations so far haven't been meaningful, she said. "It feels like we're going to cut off your right arm and if you we're going to cut off your leR arm, too," Ornberg said. Other employees Ornberg has spoken with are willing to give up something to prevent others from losing their job: dialogue between the two sides needs to improve, she said. Neither Combs nor Kristy Waskiewicz, a business agent for the Merced County Employees Association, would go int proposed cuts because they're still in negotiations. County and union officials will continue negotiations during a May 11 meeting. The union will hold a membership meeting at 6 p.m. May 19 in the board chambers of the Merced County Administ Reporte� Mike North can be reached at (209) 385-2453 or mnorth�a�mercedsun-star. com. I�hc: Modcsto E3ec ' E3ud�et �vorries in Modesto 1'1•int "1'his :'1►-ticic� ��c)SI�C� �11 ��ri, May. 06, 2oii Budget worries in Modesto By Ken Carlson kcarlson@modbee.com last updated: May 06, 2011 12�39:22 AM http:/; www.modbee.con�/2011 /OS/OS/v-print' 1 The Modest� mc As they prepare to kick off btidget meetings next week, Modesto officials are 1'�� E ti �! ��b ;�, �� talking as much about the proposed new budget as they are a looii�ing deficit I,' ��' !�'i �� • � ► in thc 2oi2-i3 fiscal year. � ii f"� �' �� -_--.___ _ __ ----�_- 1'he spendiilg plan for the year starting Jtily i�vould furthe►- reduce Modesto's firefighting force and make other cuts to deal with a Sy.� millic�ii genei•al fiind deficit. Btit officials ar•e fai• more concerned abotrt a biidget ga�> a year from now, which cotild be �i2 million to Si5 million. It's why Modesto leaders are disct�ssing altei•natives fo►• operating cit�� goli courses and could consider a partnership for running the Modesto Centrc • .- ; h;qr �„';: � � � �:�� ;;�.'� ,j�.. -t�;�•, � . ,1.t� • �� ;�`i Plaza confe►•ence center. The golf coui•sc�s and co�i��erition ceciter require hc�f't� �;,; subsidies from the general fund. �`' ' '1'he City Couiicil will focus on passi�ig a iiew budget iri the comilig weeks. Cih� ��y -. •.. �r : ;;�: `,•i:, � �"'s i i � �,..iJy. .�' w�f' 17 j 'J� y�.k. �r . � _ 3'.ii3lfa.. departments could start work�ng on the next budget cycle as earl}' as c�oAN �AF�N� �� ,��Ca�.n�dbee C Septembet•, Mayor Jim Ridenour said �l�}IUCSC�1y. P�ace is pictured on Wednesdayaflema C�ty of Modesto is supposed ro release � detailmg cuts. - - The mayor's proposed budget for 2oii-i2 calls for 55.5 million in spending cuts, including the elimination of 35 positions. "I'he cit�� would car�y over S4.Z million from this year to eli rest of the deficit and maintaiii at least a S7 million general fund rescive. Twenty of those targeted positions are vacant; the other i, jobs wotild be erased through layoffs or retirer The Fire Department ��ould lose seven employees, including foiii• captains and three firefighters, mainly t retirements. ror the second consecutive year, an engine company would be put out of seivice. Officials said initial response times would not be affected, but it will take longer for other engines to provi major incidents. Other staff cuts would incl�ide a police lieutenant and records clec•ks, a senio►• planner, engineer, two grafl workers and two employees at the MclIenry Museum and McI�eniy Mansioti. No museum closure plans City Mac�ager Greg Nyhoff sai� there is no plan to close the local history mtiseum or mansion. But official; with the associated nonprofit groups about fund c'�i1S1I1� OC other options for staffing. Instead of using employees to cover graffiti, the city hopes to rely more on volunteers. With the budget cuts, residents also can expect slower police response for low priority calls, less tree-trim development plan reviews, rec;uced watering at parks and clo�ure of p�il'{� I'eStI•ooms for i2 weeks of the y� Staff furlough days would continue for another year and a� percent pay cut for City Council members wo l�he Modesto Bcr ; Eiudget �vorries in Modesto http:/;'www.modbee.corl�/2011 /OS/OS/v-print/ 1 As the city tries to control spending, it will continue woi•k on tlie Virginia Corridor bike path extension arn a four-year, �iz5 million project to build an advanced waste- water treatment plant. Funding for those itr. comes from grants and utility charges. '1'he big reasons for the projected btidget gap in 2oi2-i3 ai•e inci•eased payments to ttle Califoc•ciia Public E Ketirement System and the need to renew employee labor contracts, officials said. Councilman Brad Hawn said the key to next year's budget will be the union negotiations. In addition, he s Council could make midyear budget adjustments to avoid cnaki�ig deeper cuts in 2oi2-i3. Officials said the new budget includes about a S400,o0o subsidy for city golf courses and close to S5oo,o for Modesto Centre Plaza. Thc council �vill be looking at potential partnerships to run those facilities as it maintaii�ing core services such as public safety. "We are hoping to take time to come tip �vith a solution," IIawci said, speaking of the golf courses. �ie said rate the success of a potential partnership with the Pirst'I'ee program at Modesto Municipal Golf Course t the dramatic move of closing a golf course." I.i1St IllOilt}l, city officials re��ealed that closing the nine-hole Muni cot�rse, the i8-hole I)tyden Park or botl among options being considered to reduce the subsidy. Health benefits a core issue i-iealth benefits are a major issue in the current "pension reform" talks with employee groups. The city w� a benefit allowing employees to convert unused sick leave to retiree hcalth coverage. Employees who have socked away leave are reluctant to losc the benefit. "We are trying to find a way to get the city on track with funding the retiree health obligation they have ag attorney Joe Rose, representing the Modesto City F,mployees tlssociation, wtlich includes public works en city has put ve►y little mone�- aside to fund that program." 'I'he Modesto City Council's finance comrnittee will hold a budget work.shop starting at y a.n thc basement chamber of'I�CI]L�1 Street Ylace at ioio ioth St. Bee staffwriter Ken Carlson can be reached at kcarlson��modbce.cc>m or (2oy) 5'78-2;;2i. This article is protected by copyright and should not be printed or distributed for anything except personal use. Copyright � 2011, The Modesto Bee, 1325 H St., Modesto, CA 95354 Phone: (209) 578-2000. Format Uynamics :: Dell Vewer c�he,�lereur lews MercuryNews.com � San Jose cops agree to slash pay 10 percent By John Wooffolk and Sean Webby jwoolfolk@mercurynews.com Posted: 04/29/2011 04:00:03 PM PDT Updated: 04/30/2011 09:29:27 AM PDT Facing the first layoff of officers in city history, San Jose police on Friday offered to slash their pay by 10 per�cent for a year in a bid to save the jobs of dozens of cops. City officials said they appreciate the offer but noted that it's not enough to avoid layoffs and may jeopardize deals with other workers. The concession should save the jobs of 155 officers, but 106 out of a force of 1,200 still face the budget ax as the city grapples with a$115 million deficit. "I don`t think we can prevent all of the layoffs," acknowledged JimUnland, vice presidentof the San Jose Police Officers' Association. City officials say temporary pay cuts do little to solve deficits that have stretched 10 straight years with no end in sight. The new offer, however, marked a sharp tumaround from officers who have carrpaigned against the city's threat to slash staffing unless the cops accept major concessions in pay and benefits. Police had maintained thatcity officials were putting public safety at risk. Officers in recent years have offered to contribute more toward their retirement benefits, and last year temporarily trimmed their salaries about 4 percent to prevent layoffs. But until Friday, officers had said 10 pe�cent cuts were unacceptable.Their only offer to the city came a week ago and amounted to a net 5 percent reduction over two vears. �lus an oqtional reduced http://www.mercurynews.com/fdc� City officials said Friday that they needed to evalu� offer privately. But Employee Relations Directc Gurza, the city's chief negotiator, said a key cc is that the officers are offering to cut their pay percent for only one year. WhaYs more, the city has inked perrnanent 10 percent pay cuts with other unions, conditione the city not approving lesser concessiais frorr others. It was unclear Friday whether approvir one-year cuts with the police would underrrinE those deals. "Not that we didn't appreciate the 10 percent," said. But, he added, "we're trying to avoid just pushing off the problem" Ten percent pay cuts from all the citys worker would shave $38 million off the massive defic� proposed budgetto be released by City Mana Debra Figone on Monday assumes those wag reductions will be in place — but even so, morE than 600 jobs are e�ected to be cut citywide. The City Council can impose pay cuts on mos workers but not police and firefighters, who h� arbitration rights. Firefighters and four other ui have agreed to permanent 10 percent cuts. Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio said the officers' could help the city preserve vital public safety services, but he added that the council needs think of other ways to econorrize, such as outsour�ing things like park maintenance. � �� DIRECTV ha �I � . :� Uir�tCTV Swit� h f ��w more of wha want to watc toda ! �°1 y l�ormat Dynarnics :: Dell Vie�ver ba�ir��1�,�5�so that we can hire more police officers," he said. Unland said officers are still hoping the City Council can cobble togeher additional funds to avoid laying off the 106 cops, who this week received letters from police Chief Chris Moore waming them that they could be laid off in late June. Though the police offer may fall short of what city leaders want, Unland said oficers aren't wild about it either. Patrol Officer James Gonzales said he would reluctantly approve it but that a 10 percent pay cut is a difficult blow for cops who have planr�ed their lives around their current pay. "IYs a tough pill to swallow emotionally and financially," said Gonzales, 32. But, he said, "I r ealize the financial situation the city is in. I want to be part of the solution." Officer Juan Vallejo, who works in the homicide unit, said it will be tough to vote for such a deal laiowing that more than 100 fellow officers stand a good chance of losing their jobs. 'The city has invested somuch on these guys to be trained, and now they are going �o be gone," Vallejo said. "It doesn't make sense." In addition to the 10 per�ent pay cut, the officers also offered a cheaper''second-tier" pension plan for future hires, plus an option for current officers to agree to reduced pensions. Police said the reduced pensbn offer could save nearly $7 million in 2012 and more than $100 million over 16 years. But they acknowledged that they cannot say for sure how many officers would opt for reduced pensions. The cops also ofered to phase out a perk that allows retiring officers to cash out unused sick I eave by capping accruals for existing officers. The city has seen sick leave cashout costs more than double in five years to $14 million. But Gurza noted that there would be little immediate savings fom that offer. http://w�v�i�.mercurynews.con�/fdc� of�icers that could be saved by the union's concession on pay; Vla�or to r�sidents: We'rc brok� Recordnet.com http:;/www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti News MAYOR TO RESIDENTS: WE'RE BROKE JOHNSTON SAYS NEGOTIATIONS KEY TO FIXING STOCKTON'S ANEMIC BUDGET Qy Daniel '17iiypen May 05, 2011 Record Staff Wnter STOCKTON - For more than an hour Wednesday, an an�oous crowd peppered Mayor Ann Johnston witr questions about how Stockton is handling its projected $34 million deficit. In the end, she said, how many jobs are lost and how deeply City Hall cuts services depend largely on outcome of negotiations with the city's labor unions over pay and benefits. "The city's broke," Johnston said. "I'm getting really tired of going through budget discussions where all v about is cutting. ... It comes down to jobs or benefits, I suppose." The mayor addressed the more than 60 people present at Cerrtral United Methodist Church during what last in a series of seven budget-focused town-hall meetings scheduled before the city adopts a spending June. The City Council this month will begin discussing budget proposals. The message to the public has been bleak: To balance the budget without pay and benefit concessions, officials have proposed eliminating more than 200 jobs and drastically rolling back services. That include: shuttering firetrucks and engines, further reducing street and tree maintenance, eliminating graffiti remov, cutting library and community center hours. More than 20 people posed questions in a wide-ranging back-and-forth with the mayor and City Manage Deis. They wanted to know what youth programs would still be available, they worried about crime, and asked what Stockton is doing to promote job and revenue growth. Several wondered if there would be even more budget peril after this painful cycle. "What are you going to do next year?" asked Ron Ferrario, 78, a former Stockton port commission mem said the city has been too generous with its pay and benefits. "Over the years, we have given and given and given. We can't afford it anymore," he said. "You can't rur household with zero in the bank." On the issue of compensation, City Hall and its unions are still talking. The city's requests have included � employees to begin contributing to their retirement, forgo pay raises, eliminate retiree health care for ne� and eliminate many types of incentive compensation. The city's largest civilian union, the Stockton City Employees' Association - whose labor agreement does e�ire until 2014 - has declined to renegotiate those terms in part because workers have not been guara that any savings will be used to save jobs their union represents, according to an April 22 letter from the attorney. Concessions from SCEA workers have typically had less impact on savings in the city's ailing general fur Ma}�or to residents: We're broke I Rccordnet.com http://w ww . recordnet.co►n/apps/pbcs.d I 1/arti Stockton's police and fire unions, whose employees comprise most of the general fund budget, are still ii with City Hall. Under the city's proposed cuts, the Fire Departmer� would see the largest share, at $18.5 million. Witho concessions, the city has proposed laying off 73 firefighters, cutting an additional five positions through a and reducing staffing on engines and trucks. Three engine companies and two truck companies also wo� closed. The number of firefighters on duty each day would drop from 70 to 42. At least one small union already has a tentative agreement with City Hall over concessions: Stockton's Management B&C Employees Association, which represents about 100 of the city's middle managers ar supervisors. Robert Applegate, the union's president, said the terms of the agreement, which he said will be signed including forgoing cost-of-living pay raises, corrtinuing furloughs, eliminating retiree health care benefits hires and creating a new pension tier for new employees. Contact reporter Daniel Thigpen at (209) 546-8254 or dthigpen@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at recordnet. com/thigpenblog. Some of Lodi's employees will pay part of pension costs starting in Ju... http://�vww.lodinews.com/news/article 2eb: Some of Lodi's employees will pay part of pensio costs starting in July By Maggie Creamer News-Sentinel Staff Writer � Posted: Thursday, May 5, 2011 12:00 am Two Lodi bargaining groups made up of top city officials will be the first empbyees to pay the entire empbyee contrib� their pension costs. Executive managers and empbyees appointed by the council, including the city manager, city attorney and city clerk, � percent of their pension costs, which is the maximum allowed by the state. They will begin paying at the start of the fi� Currently, the city pays the empbyer and empbyee share of pension costs for all workers. "What we are boking to do is set the tone. We need to get to a point where empbyees are paying their pension cost� Rad Bartlam said. City staff is in the middle of asking all of its unions for concessions to balance the budget for next fiscal year. The council unanimously approved concessions Wednesday night from four unions — executive managers, council app confidential empbyees and the Intemational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. In total, the agreements save the city Besides pension costs, the two management groups also agreed to a heafth care cap. Currently, an empbyee can chc variety of heafth care plans, and only have to pay $104 for a family plan premium regardless of which one they select. With the new cap that will start Jan. 1, 2012, the city will still pay a majority of the plan, but they will onfy contribute a to the lowest cost HMO. So if an empbyee chooses a more expensive plan, they will have to make up the difference. Managers agreed to waive the ability to cash out 20 hours of administrative leave in 2012. They also will continue to v contribution to deferred compensation, which is an optional retirement account. But the group will not bnger have fur4 Friday of every month. The groups total saving is $155,415. Bebw is a summary of the other two bargaining groups: The oonfidential unit: This union includes a budget analyst, the city spokesman and some administrative secretaries � confidential information that excludes them from being in a union. The group agreed to contributing 1 percent toward their pension, a cap on health care costs starting in January and si� leave days. The groups total savings is $123,900. Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE Week of May 9, 2011 — May 13, 2011 Resurfacinq/Reconstructinq streets in the following areas: (CDBG funded area) Resurfacing streets in the area north of Belle Terrace and west c Sealing streets in the area between Gosford Road & Ashe Road from White Ln to Stoc Resurfacing streets in the area east of Oswell St and north of Brundage Ln (CDBG funded area) Resurfacing streets in the area east of Alta Vista & north of FIowE (CDBG funded area) Preparing streets in the area west of "T" St & south of Ca resurfacing Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Installing Handicapped ramps and repairing concrete in the Kern City area (CDBG funded area) Installing & Repairing curb, gutter & sidewalks in the area East & south of Freeway 58. (CDBG funded area) Installing & Repairing curb, gutter & sidewalks in the area east north of Niles St Repairing damaged sewer lines found during video inspection Video inspection of City owned Sewer & Storm lines to evaluate condition of pipes THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Paqe2of2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Mondav, May 2, 2011 Between So. "H" St. & Union Avenue — Pacheco Rd. & Hosking Rd. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Truxtun Ave. (ext.) — Coffee Rd & Partridge Ave. Tuesday, May 3, 2011 Between 99 Hwy. & So. "H" St. — Ming Ave. & Panama Ln. Cul-De-Sacs on the north side of Magdelena Ave., west of So. "H" St. Wednesday, May 4, 2011 City areas between Brundage Ln. & Ming Ave. — So. "H" St. & Union Ave. City areas between Wilson Rd. & Pacheco Rd. — So. "H" St. & Union Ave. Between Casa Loma Dr. & Planz Rd. — Madison Ave. & Cottonwood Dr. Between Planz Rd. & Brook St. — Madison Ave. & Hale St. Thursday, May 5, 2011 Between Carr St. & California Ave. — Mohawk St. & Stockdale Hwy. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Marella Wy. — California Ave. & Montclair St. Between La Mirada Dr. & Chester Ln. — Montclair St. & No. Stine Rd. Between California Ave. (ext.) & Stockdale Hwy. — No. Stine Rd. & 99 Hwy. Between Stockdale Hwy. & Ming Ave. — New Stine Rd. & Ashe Rd. Between Mountain Ridge Dr. & Ashe Rd. — Taft Hwy. & Berkshire Rd. Friday, May 6, 2011 Between Ming Ave. & White Ln. — Buena Vista Rd & Old River Rd. Between Stine Rd. & 99 Hwy. — Ming Avenue & Adidas. Between Panama Ln. & Birkshire Rd. — Gosford Rd. & Stine Rd.