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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/09/19 PUBLIC SAFETY/VITAL SERVICES AGENDAr Special Meeting of the Citizens Oversight Committee for Bakersfield Public Safety and Vital Services Measure (PSVS) Of the City Council - City of Bakersfield Monday, December 9, 2019 4:00 p.m. City Hall North 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301 1 st Floor, Conference Room A AGENDA 1. ROLL CALL 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 26, 2019 OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS Time is open to members of the public to comment on any issue connected with the PSVS Measure. Speakers may elect to speak after an agenda item should they prefer. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Mid -Year Implementation Plan Update B. Fiscal Year 2019-20 Mid -Year Measure Revenue Allocations 5. BOARD COMMENTS 6. ADJOURNMENT Iftomomm 0 B A K E R S F I E L D Special Meeting of the Citizens Oversight Committee for Bakersfield Public Safety and Vital Services Measure (PSVS) Of the City Council - City of Bakersfield Thursday, June 26, 2019 4:00 p.m. City Hall North 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301 1 st Floor, Conference Room A Minutes The meeting was convened at 4:OOpm 1. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Sanders, Vice -Chair Hibbard, Committee Members Holt, Louie, Perez-Andreeson, Prince, Rowland, Tobias Absent: Committee Member Keller 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES FROM THE April 1, 2019 OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING Motion by Committee Member Tobias, second by Committee Member Louie, to adopt the minutes from the April 1, 2019, Oversight Committee meeting. The motion was approved with Committee Member Keller absent. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS Curtis James Bingham offered blessings to the Committee and commented on the benefits to the members of serving on the Committee. He expressed his support for law enforcement, city management and the Mayor. Lois Gill from the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter offered comments regarding Measure N Allocation and the need for additional funding for the upcoming year and anticipated increase in demand for the fiscal year 2019/2020. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Budget Process Update and Measure Related Adjustments - Newly Drafted Reserve Policy - Tandy/Huot Initial comments made by City Manager Mr. Tandy. Assistant City Manager Huot provided a PowerPoint Presentation and made staff comments. Committee Member Rowland confirmed with Chief of Police Mr. Martin and City Manager Mr. Tandy that the Community Prosecution Unit will not deal with violent crimes, but address the lax enforcement of property crimes and drug offenses. Committee Member Perez-Andreesen further verified with Mr. Tandy that there is not a timeline at this time due to pending advocacy from the Kern County Sheriff. Committee Members Tobias, Rowland, and Vice -Chair Hibbard questioned Mr. Tandy and Public Works Director Mr. Fidler whether the PD butler building on California Ave would be esthetically pleasant for those driving down California Ave and would not detract from the community enhancement. Mr. Tandy clarified that the PD butler building will be in the back with landscaping and a privacy fence installed. Mr. Tandy additionally clarified the building and the layout are POST approved and will be for training purposes only. Committee Member Prince and Member Perez-Andreesen confirmed with Mr. Tandy making the City's reserve fund larger will not make the reserve more attractive to state takeaways. Mr. Tandy discussed the state's practice regarding revenue takeaways and the state has never taken local generated/allocated funds tax. They have taken money through the County, complicated triple flip. Mr. Tandy clarified the states procedure in taking funds it has control over and the size of the cities reserve fund will not detour future state funds being allocated to the city. Mr. Tandy further clarified most cities try to have a 10% reserve and Bakersfield currently has a reserve of 16%. Committee Member Holt confirmed with Mr. Tandy the funds being allocated in accordance with the issues voters are in favor of and referred to Mr. Gill's comments. Mr. Tandy elaborated on the homelessness issue and the $11.5 million dollars dedicated to the issue and the complexity of coordinating service providers. Mr. Huot added that there could be additional funding to facilitate the homeless issue. Committee Member Louie confirmed with Mr. Tandy that if the community prosecution program does not take place then funds would be reallocated. Audyinka Glover from the Leadership and Accountability Counsel made comments regarding participatory budgeting and the importance of public participation in the city's budget process. She additionally stated she did not see a clear portion of the meeting that allows the public to speak. Chair Sanders confirmed the committee welcomes comments and invited public attendance at the council meeting on Friday (June 28, 2019.) Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting Thursday, June 26, 2019 Page 2 Committee Members Rowland and Hibbard confirmed with Chief Martin that the city is not spending money to have the butler building up and running quickly in order to meet the timeline of the new police academy in August 2019. Chief Martin additionally stated, the quality of training is not effected by the design of the building. Chief Martin and Assistant police Chief Demestihas further explained that the building is the appropriate size for growth and it is in a prime location for the officers to be able to respond quickly if there were an emergency. Committee Member Prince clarified with Chief Martin the Community Prosecution Program funding is to hire two prosecutors in the Kern county District Attorney's Office to handle the quality of life crimes. He further clarified that the DA does not have the staffing for the drug diversion and low level crimes division. This creates an issue for the police department because if there is no prosecution for the arrests the police are making. Committee Member Sanders confirmed with Chief Martin the building would accommodate 700 or more police academy participants. Committee Members Hibbard and Sanders clarified with Financial Manager Randy McKeegan the recommended reserve for the city is 10% and 16% is where we ideally want to be. Mr. McKeegan further clarified that the city's actual reserve is currently a little over 10%. Mr. Tandy stated the priorities right now are police and homelessness. He further stated that during the early days of these programs the city can continue to build a reserve. Mr. Huot expanded on Mr. Tandy's comments. Committee Member Louie and Tobias clarified with Mr. Tandy the homelessness issue and the council's primary deriving interest is to address the negative impact the issue has taken on the community. He additionally elaborated on homeless services contracts and building. Assistant City Manager Jacqui Kitchen added that the city is planning an RFP for operational costs. Mr. Tandy provided further clarification to the committee regarding Mr. Gills request for funds. Committee Member Louie confirmed with Mr. Gill that the emergency meal program is for any one in need of the service. Committee Member Prince clarified with Mr. Tandy the first quarter budget projections from last year's budget and this year's budget are 14%, but the annualized increase is only 6% and the forecast for next year is 2% growth. Mr. McKeegan additionally commented on some of the issues causing the increase are oil production, new car sales, and retail sales are top contributors. Committee Member Hibbard confirmed with Mr. McKeegan the city will continue to monitor the projected 2% growth and will adjust accordingly. Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting Thursday, June 26, 2019 Page 3 Committee Member Rowland proposed a motion that these recommendations fall in line with Measure N. Rowlands additional emphasized that it is not the job of the committee to strike down proposals because they are not higher priorities. If there is an opinion regarding other higher priorities the committee can make a recommendation to the council. Committee Member Holt insisted that is not how the committee previously handled the issues. Motion failed due to lack of second. Committee chair Sanders recommended the votes be done by line item and members make comments for the minority report. Committee Member Prince made a motion move to approve the cash reserve of $1 million for 2018-19 as it is within the spending priorities and recommend to city council. Second Hibbard. Motion was approved with member Holt voting no. Committee Member Holt requesting more money be allocated to service providers for the homelessness issue. Committee Member Tobias motion proposal of $3.3 million to cash reserve meets the requirements of measure and recommend to the council. Committee Member Prince second. Motion is approved with member Holt, Perez-Andreesen, and Louie voting no. Committee Members are requesting additional funds be allocated to service providers for the homelessness issue. Committee Member Louie proposed a motion approving the community prosecution program. Committee Member Holt second. Motion was unanimously approved. Committee Member Rowland proposed a motion approving funding for the police department. Committee Member Perez-Andreesen second. Motion was unanimously approved. 5. BOARD COMMENTS Chair Sanders asked the committee if any of the members planned on attending the upcoming council meeting. Committee Member Rowland replied yes. Committee Member Perez-Andreesen, the brief funds for is it possible to get monthly or quarterly reports to review? Mr. Huot, it is in our open budget platform. Also we come back to the committee to report, separate audit. Committee Member Perez-Andreesen confirmed with Mr. Huot these reports are separate from one another. Mr. Tandy, if anyone has trouble navigating Huot will help. Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting Thursday, June 26, 2019 Page 4 Mr. Huot it is easy to use, it is updated monthly. He elaborated that there are three funds to account for the revenue, 14 main operating fund. Fund 14 designations where you will see that. Fund 312 is a separate fund, all capital projects have fund 312 designation, only measure related capital funding are there. Fund 19 is the reserve fund where reserve funds are allocating. Separating and not comingling. Committee Member Perez- Andreesen requested clarification regarding whether the committee will get a report for this last quarter and what is being paid out of the measure N. Mr. Tandy clarified it will be early equipment purchases and 12 million dollar initial will be in the report. Mr. McKeegan informed the committee the report will be finalized along with CAFR sometime in November. Committee Member Perez-Andreesen requested permission to see the work plan. Mr. McKeegan informed they are still in discussions. Committee Member Perez-Andreesen commented that committee may want to add to the work plan. Committee Member Louie requested clarification as to whether fund 19 monies are facility reserve funds. Mr. Huot clarified that fund 19 is just measure related funds in the cash reserve. Allocated funds, non -measure funds separate. Fund 19 are just measure funds. Committee Member Louie, at the end of last meeting we were told to the disposition of the proposals specifically interest on the ones that were not approved. Mr. Tandy, informed the committee that Friday is final motion, one thing wasn't done, subsequent to Kaiser Sport village we received notice of a grant $3 million grant matching, and funds you did not recommend will now be part of matching funds for expansion. Mr. Tandy's guess would be that the council is highly likely to fund the improvements of the convention center and bright house. Committee Member Rowland requested clarification on the projected $3 million grant and the councils anticipated approval of the money. Mr. Tandy explained the initial obligation for $1.5 million was so the city would not have to fund the matching. It is likely to be approved. The council will not be voting on the future funds at this time. The $27 million was given out in state and we got $3 million. Doubling your money is something the council has valued. Committee Member Sanders thanked everyone for coming out and the way vote and minority report was prepared. Thanked Gill for being here. Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting Thursday, June 26, 2019 Page 5 Tandy, more information 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. ATTEST: JULIE DRIMAKIS, CMC CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the Council of the City of Bakersfield Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting Thursday, June 26, 2019 Page 6 9 ITHE SOUND 0F,5MJe#JWf Fe,40 OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER MEMORANDUM December 12, 2019 TO: Chair Sanders and Citizens Oversight Committee Members FROM: Chris Huot, Assistant City Manager CH SUBJECT: Public Safety and Vital Services Measure Mid -Year Adjustments In June 2019, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2019-20 City budget, which included $61.8 million in Public Safety and Vital Services Measure (PSVS) allocations. The PSVS budget was based on revenue projections at that time, which included consultation with the City's sales tax advisor and comprehensive review of economic conditions, both locally and globally. Since that time, the City has received two full quarter distributions of PSVS revenues. At the end of November, the City received the third quarter (July -September 2019) sales tax reports from the State. PSVS revenues continue to come in higher than originally anticipated. Integrating the third quarter PSVS receipts into the long term show the annual revenue from this source at over $9 million above the original budget for the current fiscal year. This is a continuation of higher than expected PSVS revenues when the first full quarter came in 1 1 percent more than budgeted in the prior fiscal year. This is positive news, which in turn allows staff to make a handful of recommendations for additional PSVS allocations in the current fiscal year. However, as you will see below, staff is recommending adjustments that are less than the anticipated increase in PSVS revenues. Staff continues to take a fiscally conservative approach with PSVS appropriations as the Measure has only been in place for two quarters. Mid -Year Appropriations The following is a summary of proposed allocations of additional PSVS Measure revenue totaling $6.1 million. These proposals are submitted to the Citizens Oversight Committee for review and consideration. These items will be brought to the City Council as part of the overall mid -year budget update in late January or early February, accompanied by the feedback from the Citizens Oversight Committee. Additional detail on each of these proposed adjustments is as follows: Balance of Body Worn Camera Project Measure Spending Priority #1: Increasing police staffing to improve police response times, reduce crime, and increase neighborhood police patrols. Measure Spending Priority #2: Improving rapid response to assaults and robberies. Measure Spending Priority #3: Maintaining/improving rapid response to gang violence. Measure Spending Priority #4: Investigating and proactively preventing property crimes, burglaries and vehicle thefts. Measure Spending Priority #5: Keeping public areas safe and clean Measure Spending Priority #6: Strengthening the capacity of the Special Enforcement Unit. Measure Spending Priority #7: Expanding the School Resource Officer Program. Allocation Amount: $800,000 Following a year-long field-testing project, the Bakersfield Police Department entered into an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. in September 2019 to begin the multi-year phase in of body worn cameras for all sworn officers and all uniformed police civilian personnel assigned to field duties. Objectives of the body -worn camera project include: • Strengthening community trust through an increase in accountability and transparency • Reducing citizen complaints • Increasing accuracy of citizen complaint resolutions • Reducing department liability • Improving quality of evidence in criminal cases The FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget included PSVS funding for the first phase of this project, with future phases to be funded through future allocations of PSVS revenues. The first phase included 210 units to be deployed over 60 to 90 days. This first phase will equip uniformed personnel comprised of the Department's Patrol shifts, Traffic Detail, K-9 Unit, Impact Unit, School Resource Officer Unit, and the Special Enforcement Unit of the Operations Division. These cameras are expected to be fully deployed by December 31. Citizens Oversight Committee December 12, 2019 Page 3 Based on the improved fiscal circumstances and the significant benefits derived from the body -worn cameras, staff is recommending allocating an additional $800,000 to complete the full implementation within the current fiscal year. If approved, an additional 215 cameras will be deployed by spring 2020, which will full outfit the department. This allocation includes both the costs of the additional camera equipment and the addition of two Police Property and Equipment Specialist positions. These positions will specifically assist the Department in overseeing the day-to-day management of the cameras. Upon full implementation, there will be significant data review, management and tracking that will be required. The two positions will be responsible for: • Policy compliance - including verifying tagging of incidents by officers • Preparing data for supervisor review, inspections, etc. • Facilitating the identification, processing, and transfer of camera -related evidence to District Attorney's Office and other law enforcement agencies These positions were originally planned to be added next fiscal year based on the original implementation schedule of the cameras. However, due to the proposed acceleration of implementation, staff is recommending moving forward with these positions at this time. Early Acquisition of Phase II Equipment - Bakersfield Fire Department Measure Spending Priority #5: Keeping public areas safe and clean Measure Spending Priority #8: Maintain a fully staffed and equipped Class 2 rated Fire Department Allocation Amount: $320,000 In 2013, the Bakersfield Fire Department (BFD) responded to 16,206 emergency medical related incidents. In the five-year span ending in 2017, emergency medical calls for service increased by upwards of 63% totaling 25,357. The BFD foresees this trend continuing and will have a persistent negative impact on engine company response times due to the lack of availability when units are required to respond from neighboring districts to provide emergency medical services (EMS). In an effort to be proactive due to the ascension of the overwhelming call volume related to emergency medical calls for service, the BFD will be proposing the to implement a new level of service to the citizens of Bakersfield in FY 2020-21. The will include six engineers and six firefighter positions in the form of rescue squad obligations will serve as two - person, fast response EMS units that would also be utilized as a two -in -two out rescue component during a structure fire. These strategically placed rescue squads will respond to EMS calls which are normally handled by neighboring stations when the initial unit is already assigned to an incident or undergoing training. The rescue squad concept will provide a higher level of service in regards to more expedient response times and overall EMS efficiency by assuring engine/truck companies remain in their first -in district to provide much needed assistance at call time. This type of service enhancement directly corresponds to the ability to maintain the BFD's Class 11 ISO rating. Citizens Oversight Committee December 12, 2019 Page 4 The equipment necessary for these rescue squads requires lead time. Therefore, similar to what occurred in the previous budget cycle, staff is recommending the Citizens Oversight Committee recommend early acquisition of two fire rescue vehicles. Beginning the acquisition process in the near term will allow for these units to be ordered, built, transported and placed into service at the start of next fiscal year. This will coincide with the availability of the additional positions to staff this equipment. Delaying the acquisition will result in the implementation of the rescue squads being deferred until late 2020 or early 2021. E -Permitting Software Measure Spending Priority #11: Creating jobs through economic development, business retention/attraction and workforce development Allocation Amount: $500,000 As part of the initial discussions with the Citizens Oversight Committee, staff presented the concept of acquiring and implementing an e -permitting and plan review software platform. This platform would deliver enhanced services to the development community by reducing review time, streamlining internal City workflows and eliminating the significant amount of paper movement and storage. An e -permitting and plan review software platform is anticipated to accelerate the permitting process, providing individuals and developers an easier method to submit plans, review documents and drawings, process corrections and remit fees. This type of platform will also provide for internal City efficiencies, including the ability to quickly monitor and enhance the workflow process. The overall objectives of implementing this platform are to support economic development efforts and incubate job creation and expansion. Over the past several months, staff has completed a comprehensive review of e - permitting and plan review software to determine the City's needs, to better understand cost parameters and the path to implementation. To this end, staff issued a request for proposal in September 2019. Staff is in the process of reviewing submissions from vendors and anticipates awarding a contract in early 2020, dependent on availability of funding. If funded and a contracted issued, staff anticipates implantation can occur by summer or early fall 2020. Homeless Services/Shelter Operations Measure Spending Priority #5: Keeping public areas safe and clean Measure Spending Priority #9: Reducing homelessness through partnerships with service providers to increase outreach, sheltering and construction of affordable housing Measure Spending Priority #13: Enhancing neighborhoods through additional code enforcement and improved park maintenance. Allocation Amount: $1,500,000 Citizens Oversight Committee December 12, 2019 Page 5 As part of the FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget, over $11.5 million in PSVS funding was allocated to the enhancement of services and construction of shelter/housing to reduce the number of homeless individuals within the City. As part of this effort, the City Council approved two service agreements with two separate vendors to provide for human waste clean-up and private security patrols within the downtown and Old Town Kern areas. These services were initiated as pilot programs utilizing PSVS funding, whereby after the initial 90 -day contract period, staff would review the individual programs and make a recommendation on whether to fund the services through the end of the fiscal year (and possibly beyond). The pilot programs for each service are still underway. However, based on initial feedback from business owners, residents and staff, it will likely be recommended that these services continue through the end of the fiscal year, with the potential to add options for multi-year contract extensions. Therefore, staff is recommending additional funding be allocated to continue these services. Staff anticipates issuing new request for proposals for each of these services prior to entering into longer term agreements. This process is currently underway and staff anticipates bringing the agreements for each service to the City Council in January. Additionally, staff has been directed by the City Council to evaluate multiple options as it relates to establishing a low barrier homeless shelter. Over the course of the past year, staff has been comprehensively studying the various components of low barrier shelters, including operational needs, space layouts, resource availability and partnership opportunities with other government agencies, non -profits and the private sector. This research included staff visiting other jurisdictions to observe operations of low -barrier shelters and reviewing costs incurred by other agencies to operate and maintain these types of facilities. Initially, this Committee recommended and the City Council approved $4 million in PSVS revenues toward the construction and operation of a low barrier shelter. Based on additional research, staff is recommending an additional allocation be made reflective of staff's advanced understanding of costs to operate and maintain this type of facility. Upon the selection of a preferred location for the shelter, these funds would be utilized to supplement the previous allocation to operate the facility as envisioned by this Committee, the City Council and the community. In total, staff is recommending a $1.5 million allocation for these items. Allocation to PSVS Reserve Measure Spending Priority #10: Addressing the fiscal stability of the City of Bakersfield Allocation Amount: $3,000,000 This Committee previously recommended the City Council consider establishing sufficient reserves. Reserve funds help mitigate the effects of unanticipated situations such as natural disasters and significant unforeseen events, as well allow the City to temporarily buffer against cuts to staffing levels, programs or services in response to economic downturns and State revenue takeaways. As part of the FY 2019-20 budget adoption process, the City Council approved a policy to enact a multi-year plan to reach a 60- Citizens Oversight Committee December 12, 2019 Page 6 day reserve by FY 2024-25. Upon completion, this plan meets or exceeds the general cash reserves of most comparably -sized cities within the state and meets recommended reserve funding levels as established by the Government Finance Officers Association. To this end, the City Council allocated $3.3 million to the PSVS Measure reserves as part of the budget process. The plan noted that to stay on track to reach the 60 -day reserve by FY 2024-25, the City would need to allocate an additional $5.7 million in each of the next three years to reach the goal of $65.1 million when this plan is fully implemented. Based on fiscal circumstances, staff is recommending an additional $3 million be allocated to the reserve at this time. Although this does not meet the stated target of $5.7 million for the current year, staff anticipates an additional future allocation can occur should PSVS revenues continue to meet revised projections.