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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/16/04 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM January 16, 2004 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager /~7-b.,7, SUBJECT: General Information 1. An article by Dan Walters, from the Sacramento Bee' is enclosed. It is an excellent, concise summary of the State revenue captures from cities and counties. 2. A section of the Governor's Budget Overview, prepared by the State Legislative Analyst, is attached. It includes a summary of the financial actions which will affect local government. 3. Chief Matlock has written letters to our local legislators to inform them how badly the State budget reductions have impacted the Police Department and to let them know how difficult it will be to make any further cuts if the ERAF shift takes place. 4. Sometime back, a referral was made to the Legislative and Litigation Committee about noisy parties. In addition to considering other issues, the Committee indicated the Police Department should charge for second responses. That has been "on the books", but rarely used in the past. 5. Donna Kunz has prepared the attached report as an early notice of what is contemplated to go to the Budget and Finance Committee as the funding recommendation for CDBG funds in the 04/05 budget. Due to some large projects, such as Fire Station #5 and Jefferson Park Pool, it's a very tight budget already. 6. A memo from Alan Christensen is enclosed with details on staffing levels and change in the hours of operations at the MLK and Silver Creek Recreation Centers, due to the reduction of staff. 7. A report from KernCog is enclosed with information on how transportation projects will be impacted by the Governor's proposed budget. Proposition 42, which funds transportation projects from sales tax, will be suspended, as well as the Transportation Congestion Relief Program. The high speed rail bond would also be eliminated. 8. Thank you for supporting the recommendation to discontinue lunch at the committee meetings. While not an excessive expense, it is another area where we can find some savings. - ' Honorable Mayor and City Council January16,2004 Page 2 9. The discussions with Kern County on animal control are continuing. Thero has been a slow down in progresS, due to the holidays and budget disruptions, but a session is now set for next week. 10. The most recent report from CalTrans on the status of the Rosedale Highway rehabilitation project is attached. 11. Gene Bogart has been selected by the local chapter of the American Society for Public Administration to receive the 2004 John W. Doubenmier Award for distinguished public service. The ASPA luncheon to honor Gene will be held on Wednesday, January 28th in the Potato Room at the Convention Center. Please contact Rhonda Smiley if you would like to attend. 12. The Recreation and Parks Department activity report for December is enclosed. 13. Per a Council request, a report on the completed demolition project at International Square is enclosed. AT:rs cc: Department Heads Pam McCarthy, City Clerk Trudy Slater, Administrative Analyst This story is taken from Politics at sacbee.com. Dan Walters: :tO little words generate another state- local budget confrontation By Dan Walters -- Bee Columnist - (Published January 14, 2004) Remember the aphorism about giant oaks growing from little acorns? Tt's as true in politics as it is in botany, as the experience with 10 obscure words in the state constitution would attest. Proposition 13, enacted by voters in 1978, limited property taxes to 1 percent of market value, and said that the taxes would be "apportioned according to law to the districts within the counties." A dozen years after Proposition 13's enactment, the state was clobbered by what turned out to be the worst recession in a half-century. As state revenues plummeted, newly elected Gov. Pete Wilson and the Legislature searched for ways to close a huge budget gap. Someone -- exactly who is not recorded -- theorized that those 10 words in Proposition 13 would give the state the legal authority to reallocate property tax dollars, and thus was born the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) and the state's grab of billions of dollars from local governments. Wilson and lawmakers simply decreed that about $3.5 billion in property taxes would be shifted from counties, cities and special districts to schools, thereby allowing the state to maintain constitutionally established levels of school financing while reducing direct state aid by the same amount. The politics'of the ERAF raid were brutally simple: The "Education Coalition" had immense political clout -- thanks largely to campaign dollars distributed by the California Teachers Association -- while local governments had little or none. Although the loss of local government revenue was partially offset by subsequent state appropriations, and the proceeds of a special' statewide sales tax, ERAF remained in place even when the state was rolling in money during the late 1990s. Local officials found themselves in another pickle when another budget crisis developed early in this deCade. Last year, then-Gov. Gray Davis unilaterally rescinded a $4 billion-plus cut in the property taxes paid on cars and negotiated a deal with local governments under which they would receive the proceeds of the restored tax, but lose three months' apportionment, some $1..3 billion. When Davis was recalled and replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the new governor immediately cut the car tax again, but promised the locals that they would receive "backfill" from the state, and when the Legislature refused to appropriate the funds, Schwarzenegger unilaterally directed that the checks be cut. Schwarzenegger's action pleased local officials immensely. Several big city mayors, including Los Angeles' .]ames Hahn, appeared with the governor as he signed the decree and sang his praises. But last Friday, just three weeks later, Schwarzenegger shocked these mayors when, as part of his 2004-05 budget, he proposed to expand ERAF's property tax shift by anotl~er $1.3 billion a year, once again allowing the state to reduce its direct aid to schools. By all accounts, the ERAF)i~eme-blindsided local officials. "! know we're not supposed to admit this, but he surprised us," Hahn said this~v~k. "All along, we were told that local government wouldn't be hurt any more than it has been in the past." The administration clearly chose $1.3 billion as the ERAF hit because it's identical to the current year's loss in car tax backfill. Thus, Schwarzenegger can argue that he's not cutting local government revenue, merely f~ezing it. But the backfill reduction was for just one year -- and technically a loan to be repaid later -- while the ERAF hit would be permanent. Local officials are howling and joining in the chorus of those who dislike Schwarzenegger's budget decisions. "This isn't a solution," said League of California Cities President Ron Loveridge, the mayor of Riverside. ":It's a shell game that will force cutbacks in police and fire, emergency services, after-school programs for kids and many other local services." Politically, the locals are taking another hit because they remain among the weakest of the major budget players. But they're also raising a bigger stink because they are pushing their own measure for the November ballot that, if enacted, would block the state from making such arbitrary raids on local treasuries in the future. Such is the power of 10 little words. About the Writer The Bee's Dan Walters can be reached at (916) 321-1195 or dwalt_ersL~_s_a_cbe_e._c_o.~m. Go to: S_~_cb_e_e_ / B~c_k__t_o__st_o__ry Contact Bee Customer Service Advertise Online I Privacy_ Policy I Terms of Use I Help I Site Map GUIDE TO THE BEE: I Subscribe I Contacts I Advertise I Bee Events I Community_ Tnvolvement [ Sacramento Bee Web sites ] Sacbee~cpm I S~.c~ick.e~c.,.com I .Sa.c~ame~to.~c~m This article is protected by copyright and should not be printed or distributed for anything except personal use. The Sacramento Bee, 2100 Q St., P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852 Phone: (9[6) 321-1000 Copyright © The Sacramento Bee January 13, 2004 LAO ELIZABETH G. HILL · LEGISLATIVE ANALYST On January 9, the Governor released his pro- posed plan for addressing the state's large budget problem. The Governor proposes an approach that relies on substantial spending cuts; a large shift of property taxes from local governments; as well as additional borrowing, deferrals, and fund shifts. Also, while raising certain fees, the proposal avoids new taxes. The Legislature faces a formidable challenge in evaluating the many impodant policy issues the plan raises. These include the appropriate mix between borrowing, spending reductions, and revenue augmentations; the viability of certain proposed solutions; and its multiyear approach to eliminating the projected out-year structural budget problem. · AN LAO REPORT Modified Pension Obligation Bond. The revenue proposal depends on the state success- administration proposes replacing the current- fully negotiating such a payment with the tribes. year $1.9 billion pension obligation bond assumed in the 2003-04 budget with a bond of Comments, Issues, and Concerns one-half that amount. The new bond would Viability of Proposals. The administration's cover a portion of the state's 2004-05 retirement major proposals in the general government area. contribution obligations, for a General Fund of the budget (retirement and Indian gaming benefit of $929 million. A recent Superior Court revenues) are similar to those included in the decision ruled that the state cannot sell these 2003-04 budget. The courts thus far have types of bonds without voter approval, but the prevented the state from issuing pension bonds, state has appealed the decision, and the prior administration was unable to Increased Employee Contributions. The generate any significant revenues from negotiat- Governor proposes increasing the percentage of lng for increased tribal gaming revenues. As salary that state employees contribute to retire- such, the viability of obtaining the $1.4 billion in ment. The budget assumes $14 million in budget solutions proposed in these areas should General Fund savings from increasing employee be seriously questioned by the Legislature. contributions by 1 percent. This would require renegotiating contracts with the state's collective LO¢/X.L GOYERNI~/IENT bargaining units. Vl.F Bacldill. The budget provides funding Reduced Retirement BeheSts/'or New for General Fund backfill payments to cover the Employees. The administration proposes rolling full reduction in the VLF. The cost of the backfill back retirement benefits for new employees to is $2.7 billion in 2003-04 (with an additional those in place prior to the enactment of Chap- $1.3 billion payable to local governments in ter 555, Statutes of 1999 (SB 400, Ortiz). This 2006), and $4.1 billion in 2004-05. would generate long-term savings as more Property Tax Shift. The budget includes a employees are hired, but only an estimated $1.3 billion shift of local government property $6 million in General Fund savings in 2004-05. taxes to the ERAF. This $1.3 billion shift equates to a rougNy 25 percent increase in ERAF obliga- Indian Gaming Revenue tions, or a decrease in local government prop- The state has signed compacts with 64 erty taxes of about 10 percent. These increased Indian tribes related to gaming on tribal lands. ERAF property taxes reduce state K-14 spending Currently, pursuant to these compacts, tribes obligations by a com[nensurate amount. contribute over $100 million annually to state Mandate Reimbursement Deferred. Finally, accounts. These funds are then allocated to consistent with legislative intent expressed in the nongaming tribes and various other purposes. 2003-04 Budget Act, the budget defers reim- The administration proposes to have compact bursement to counties, cities, and special tribes additionally contribute $500 million in districts for state mandates. Under current law, revenues to the General Fund in 2004-05. This local agencies must carry out state-mandated requirements, regardless of delays in state LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S OFFICE 17 AN LAO REPORT reimbursement. By the end of the budget year, reduce local government funds or increase local we estimate the state will owe local agencies costs. These proposals include: reducing funding (mostly counties and cities) over $1 billion .for for juvenile probation ($134 million), suspending deferred mandate reimbursements: the Proposition 42 General Fund transfer for Other LocM Government Proposals. In local transportation programs ($179 million), addition to the ERAF shift, the budget proposes and eliminating booking fee subventions more than $400 million of other changes that ($38 million). CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE LEGISLATURE We believe that the budget has many budgets is that they have not meaningfully positive features. Its underlying revenue and addressed the ongoing structural budget short- caseload assumptions are reasonable, it pro- fall that has confronted tile state since 2001-02. vides an accurate depiction of the size of the While this budget does contain large amounts of problem facing California, and many of its real and ongoing savings, it still leaves a signifi- solutions would provide real and lasting savings, cant amount of the structural problem for future Given the magnitude of the problem, we also years. Our initial projections-based on our believe that it is appropriate that the administra- November economic and revenue assump- tion looked to all expenditure areas of the tions--suggest tile Governor's plan would leave budget for solutions. As such, the proposal the state with a budget shortfall of roughly offers a solid starting point for budget delibera- SG billion in 200S-0B, even//'all of the savings tions, and other solution assumptions in the plan were At the same time, however, the budget fully realized. Furthermore, the unaddressed poses serious questions arid concerns for the budget shortfall would be even larger if some or Legislature in several areas. For example, as all of the risky assumptions noted above fail to touched on earlier in this brief: materialize. We will be revising our estimate Some Budget Savings May Not Be Realized. next month of the out-year structural problem The amount of savings scored for various budget under the proposal to reflect updated eco- proposals may not be fully achievable due to nomic, revenue, and expenditure assumptions. legal and other factors. Examples include the However, regardless of the precise estimate, the $400 million in corrections savings, the issue for the Legislature is how the projected $500 million in tribal gaming revenues, the over multibillion-dollar out-year problem should be $900 million in savings from pension obligation dealt with and whether it should be more bonds, and potentially hundreds of millions of completely addressed at this time. dollars in Medi-Cal savings from provider rate ShouM Additional Revenues Be Consid- reductions, ered?There are several reasons to ask this Does the Budget Push Too Much Off Into question. One involves the large magnitude and -.the Future? One of the main features of recent potentially far-reaching effects of the proposed 18 LEGISLATIVE'ANALYST'S OFFICE AN LAO REPORT budget reductions on state programs. A second efficiency and produce fiscal benefits. While the is the multibillion-dollar ongoing budget shortfall budget plan does include some examples in that would still remain unresolved even under these areas, such as an outline of future reforms the Governor's plan, and that would have to be in the Medi-Cal area, many of the ideas are not dealt with through more borrowing or further very well developed at this point. In fairness, the spending cuts if additional revenues are "left off administration has only been in office for three the table." We believe the Legislature should months. However, if significant fiscal benefits in consider whether solutions involving taxes-such these areas are to be achieved, it will be impor- as the elimination of selected tax expenditures tant for the administration to translate its ideas or increased tax rates-should be part of the into specific proposals which can be considered 2004-05 budget plan. Even if limited tax in- in a timely fashion by the Legislature. creases have certain negative effects on the Tiraely and Decisive Action Is Needed. economy, these consequences should be Finally, as was the case last year, we believe that weighed against the negative consequences of it is important that the Legislature act early and the alternatives, including deeper cuts in public decisively to address the budget shortfall, and spending in infrastructure, education, and other that it seek to maximize the amount of ongoing areas, or more borrowing, solutions to the budget problem. Otherwise, the What About Budgetary Reforms?The state will both forego the full potential benefits Governor has stressed his intent to undertake a that different solutions have to offer, and will broad-based comprehensive review and restruc- face renewed budget shortfalls in subsequent turing of state operations that will improve years. LEGISLATIVE ANALYST'S OFFICE 19 BA'KERSFIEL. D OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE ERIC W. MATLOCK (661) 926-3821 Chief of Police JanUary 16, 2004 /°Bt-r, The Honorable Kevin McCarthy State of California 'Assembly Room 3104 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Assembly Member McCarthy: On January 9, 2004, the Governor released a 2004/05 proposed State budget. I was shocked when I learned that the State, once again, is taking much needed revenue from cities, Counties, special .districts and redevelopment agencies. This shift appears to be permanent, in addition to' billions of dollars already being shifted to ERAF accounts.. I am a 33 year public servant and have experienced circumstances where budget planning is difficult. I, along with my colleagues in city govemmenL have endured these challenges by making tougtl decisions with the goal being not to reduce services to the' citizens' of our city. The Govemor's proposal if adopted will make it next to impossible to continue to provide essential services in. the way that our community expects. For the past 18 months, cities and counties have endured what could only be described as a roller coaster ride 'due to the fiscal crisis being faced by the State.of 'California. The unpredictability of State actions makes it extremely difficult to engage in responsible planning and budget preparation. The end. result being that it has become cumbersome, at best, to direct law enforcement in many of oUr neighborhoods where law enforcement attention is most needed. As I mentioned earlier, we at the police department, have tightened our belt and made difficult decisions in order to ensure the public that one day when we are most needed we will be able to respond swiftly. If we are forced to make additiOnal reductions in service delivery I will be in a position of having to inform the public they may experience some delays in our response to calls for service. In order to put our service reductions in perspective, consider the following: · The Bakersfield Police Department is now smaller by 29 positions. 'This is the equivalent of taking away an entire shift of police officers. These police officers would be responsible for handling a minimum of 4,600 calls for service each month. · 1601 TRUXTUN AVENUE * P.O. BOX 59 * BAKERSFIELD, CA 93302 January 16, 2004 Law Enforcement Budget Crisis Page 2 of 2 · A 25% reduction in burglary investigations - 112 less cases will be investigated, per month. · A 20% reduction in' white collar and forgery investigations - 40 less cases Will*be investigated per month. · A 30% reduction in auto theft and other general investigations - 290 less cases will be investigated per month. · A reduction in narcotics investigationsdue to overtime and travel cost reductions. This will lead to a reduction in narcotic arrests and related asset forfeiture, seizures. This ' has already had a significant impact on several major vendor narcotic investigations, thus, limiting the completion of those investigations and poSsible asset forfeiture. The~ impact is still unknown. These Service level reductions have already been implemented. Any further reductions will be extremely difficult to address, and quite frankly, I dO not believe our citizens Will be very understanding. I present this information to you so that you have an understanding of the law enforcement impacts due to'the State's fiscal crisis. I urge you not to support the Govemor's proposal to ' shift 1.3 billion in. proPerty taxes from cities, counties, special districts and redeVelopment agencies. Thank you in advance for. your consideration. Sincerely, Chief'of Police ',,,J EWM/vrf JAN - ? ?nO~ i CITY MANAGER'S OFFi~!~ BAKERSFIELD Economic and Community Development Department MEMORANDUM January 7, 2004 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Donna L. Kun~l~conom~ic Development-- DireCtor V SUBJECT: Estimate of Uncommitted FY 04/05 CDBG Funds Available We received our preliminary estimate of our FY 04/05 CDBG entitlement this week and it is about $70,000 less than we received last year for a total of $3,933,000. The attached chart depicts the CDBG programs and projects that are estimated to be pre-committed for next fiscal year as determined from various city council actions this year and from our existing debt and administrative program obligations. The chart does not include an allocation of program income, as we have appropriated nearly all of our existing program income received to date and reallocated it to cover funding shortfalls on various current projects per City Council authority. The chart includes funding of projects that were delayed or reprogrammed during the current year to help cover shortfalls for the new aquatics center and MLK pool - 19th Street Streetscape. The chart also includes a preliminary allocation in the amount of $800,000 for about one half of the total estimated development costs for Fire Station #5 in the Southeast. There is also an allocation of $300,000 for a spray park planned at MLK and an allocation for $900,000 needed for the rehabilitation work as estimated for Jefferson pool. We would like to finalize our funding recommendations for consideration by the Budget and Finance Committee next month. Please let me know of any changes that need to be incorporated in the proposed funding chart. S:\CD FUNDING\2004-05 Funding~.Tmemo4.doc CDBG Entitlement for FY 2003-04 - PROPOSED Program Income Projected for 04-05 TOTAL RESOURCES $3,983,000 20% Admin.'Cap (not to exceed) $796,600I Long term obligations: Debt Svc. Public Fac.- P & I on $4.1 m $324,997I Debt Svc. Public Fac.- P & I on $800,000 . $61,413I TOTAL LONG TERM OBLIGATIONS $386,410 Public Svcs. (not to exceed 15% of ent. = $600,450) Fair Housing (mandated by HUD) City wide 90,000I Graffiti Removal - City Program 100,000I Bakersfield Senior Center - Admin. Contribution 50,000I S.E. Police Sub-Station 85,0001 · Capacity Building _ 84,000I · Sub-total $409,0001 . Public Facilities: Sub'total $70,05011 Housing and Slum and Blight Activities Home Access Service Delivery for Housing Programs 85,000 Acquisition/Demolition - ED Activities . 50,990I Sub-total _ $205,990 Subtotal Administration, Debt and Programs $1,798,000 Note: Requests for Capital Improvement Projects include project cost and direct delivery: Capital Improvement Projects (Proposed) Public WorkslEDCD Downtown Street Improvements - 19th & Eye 120,000 10,000 5,000 Fire Department Southeast Bakersfield - Fire Station #5 800,000/ 10,000 / Rec & Parks Jefferson Park Pool - Rehab. 900,000/ 10,000 10,000 MLK - Spray Park 10,000 AMOUNT OVER/UNDER NET RESOURCES AVAILABLE $0 S:CDBGBudgetProposedUseFY0405 B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: January 16, 2004 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Alan Christensen,'lnterim Director Recreation & Parks~ Subject: ADJUSTED CENTER HOURS Effective Tuesday, January 20, 2004 center hours at Martin Luther King, Jr. and Silvercreek will change. This is due to the limited staff available to cover the center's activities throughout the week. Staffs weekly work hours will vary with the various activity times. "Back up" staff is identified for illness, vacations and other type of absences. MLK Center MLK center will be staffed with a clerk typist and two (2) recreation supervisors. One supervisor will monitor and supervise the center's activities of leisure classes, the game room, weight room and the gym during the week. He will also flex his time on Tuesday and Thursday evenings so he and a volunteer can supervise the drop in basketball program. The other supervisor will be a "back up" for the Center supervisor and the clerk typist while performing her other program responsibilities. The aerobics class will run Monday thru Thursday evenings with the 'instructor being given a key to the facility for Monday and Wednesday evenings when the center staff goes home at 5:00 pm. The hours of operation at MLK will be: M-W-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Tues & Thurs 8:00 am- 6:30 pm Silvercreek Center The Silvercreek center will be staffed with two (2) clerk typist and two (2) recreation supervisors. One supervisor will monitor and supervise all center activities such as exercise and leisure classes, and the after school program. Two classes will be held after hours during the week and the instructors will be given keys. The second supervisor will be a "back up" to the clerk typist's and the center supervisor while performing her main duties. This supervisor will also be available to "fill in" at the MLK center when needed. The hours of operation will be: M & W 8:00 am - 6:30 am Tues, Thurs & Fri 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Kern Council of Governments To: Kern Council of Governments Better Planning, Better Transportation From: Ronald E. Brummett, Executive Director Date: January 13, 2004 Subject: FRIDAY'S REPORT - SPECIAL EDITION HIGHLIGHTS OF GOVERNOR'S 2004-05 BUDGET (Besides the $1.3 billion in new ERAF from cities and counties) Additional budget materials are available at vvww.dof.ca.qov. The governor's proposed budget would suspend Proposition 42; terminate projects funded in the Transportation Congestion Relief Program (to save $189 million); and switch to a cash basis for payment of federally funded local assistance projects to save $800 million on a one-time basis. Additional cuts to transportation include: · Prop. 42 will be a straight suspension and not a loan, with no proposal for any payback in future years; unlike the way it was suspended this year. (At least the governor did not propose to eliminate the obligation to pay back the loans that were contained as part of the past year's budgets.) · The high-speed rail bond (a $10 billion measure slated for the November 2004 ballot) would be eliminated. It would take a 2/3 vote of the Legislature to repeal the legislation that placed this on the ballot. The California High-Speed Rail Authority itself is proposed to continue primarily to respond to Environmental Impact Report issues. At a meeting held by Business Transportation and Housing Secretary Sunne McPeak the day the budget was released, she offered the following comments in presenting this budget information. · The governor is concerned about the economic impact of transportation projects and is interested in more precise information about the economic value of specific projects that would be eliminated. Beyond the direct impact of transportation jobs, what employers would be attracted retained Or ' expanded as a result of a particular project going forward? In addition, she noted that jobs without housing doesn't make much sense and she wants to know where the housing would be to support such additional jobs that would be created or retained. · Besides noting the economic impacts, the governor wants to know how this compares to other choices the state might have in terms of economic impact. In other words, while we note that $1 billion of investment in transportation will have a certain impact, how does this compare to $1 billion of investment in other forms such as tax relief or funding other government services? · To the extent to which there is an effort to restore funding to projects, the secretary expects us to work with her in finding creative and innovative financing approaches to leverage state and federal dollars. · There was no discussion of ways of increasing revenues or revenue-raising authority. · The administration is mindful of air quality transportation conformity and the risk to federal full funding agreements in eliminating particular projects, and looks for us to work with it to deal with those issues. Nothing more was specifically stated. · The secretary acknowledged local government concerns about the effect of a proposal to switch $800 million to a cash payment on federal funds, and wanted specific information on cash flow problems that would be created by this action, and solutions that might alleviate such concerns. · The secretary noted that projects ready to go also have a shelf life and that she is concerned about the effect of delaying them to a point where existing environmental work might no longer be valid. · The administration reinforced the importance of California's success in federal transportation reauthorization, since that is the best chance the state has of getting significant new funding in the short term. · The secretary believes the existing housing element law does not work at all. She strongly believes in creating stronger incentives to have more housing built closer to jobs and wants to take the housing element law and start all over and find a way to do it better, which everyone attending the meeting agreed with. As a final note, this budget proposal must pass the Legislature. It is unlikely to pass unchanged. Democratic officials have indicated that the Governor has proposed to balance the budget solely with cuts. The Democrats have stated that in 1991, faced with an identical $14 billion deficit, then Gov. Pete Wilson proposed $7 billion of cuts and $7 billion of tax increases. Democrats are likely to initially take that type of action rejecting a substantial portion of the governor's proposed cuts and relying on restoring taxes that had been cut in the late 1990s or raising other taxes to deal with at least a portion of the deficit. The real decision-making and negotiations between the governor and the Legislature will take place in May and June when the governor is required to submit a revised budget reflecting changed economic · conditions and April income tax receipts. Finally, everything involved with this state budget will be significantly impacted by several measures on the March ballot. These include the $15 billion bond to deal with past debt, and Proposition 56- the initiative to change the vote threshold for the state budget from 2/3 to 55 percent - as well as the threshold for the Legislature to impose tax increases from 2/3 to 55 percent. Should that pass, it is immediately effective and would apply to the 2004-05 budget. UPDATED PROJECTS BRIEFS: http://www, kerncoq.orq/briefs The Kern COG Board of Directors meeting will be played on KGOV at 7pm each Monday. RECEIVED: 1/15/O4 I :27PM; ->CITY OF BAKERSFIELD; #114; PAGE 3 RightFax 111512004 1:19 PAGE 003~003 Fax Server January 15, 2004 Kern Council of Governments Vice-Mayor David Couch City el Bakersfield 1501 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, Calitornia 93301 Dear Vice-Mayor Couch: The Kern Council of Governmenls (Kern COG) last updated you December 19, 2003, on the status el a safety projecl currently in progress on Rosedale Highway. We are forwarding new information on key points related to the status, progress and the anticipated completion date. The Caltrans Resident Engineer assigned to this project has updated staff on the project status. The newest information provided in this letter is marked in bold text. General Project Description: This project is funded in the State Highway Operalions and Protection Program, which is the highway maintenance program for Caltrans. The project limils are from Van Buren Place to Camino Del Rio, to rehabilitate lhe roadway. Project components include: Traffic Signal at Patton Way; guardrail replacement; pavement replacement from Van Buren Place to Camino Del Rio; striping and pavement markers; raised median work and some traffic signal and lighting modifications. As of Thursday, January 15, 2004, Caltrans staff provided the following update on information regarding the status of this project; the project is listed as 78.3% complete; the briginal timeline called for Ihe project to be 77% complete at this time, The Contractor is on schedule. ~, Mid September 2003 - This work Is completed. Ascf '.h!= '::cc~, thc Ccntr-~c'.cr p!cn= t~ ccmp'~tc =cp.hc!t parrot '"'"'~' '"~ ~" ~" * .... ' .... ""^~-~,~,- ~,-- -,,- ,.-,-, .... ~ ....... ccmp_~ctc~ and rc-~d~,· *" ~'~ ~avcd 2. End of October 2003 - This work is completed. Ov~ "' .... * ..... "-. ,~-, ~"-",,~",^, p!~n~ ',c ccmp~c:c ~'~ ~'~" 3. February Jap~Jar-y 2004; I'.'cv~m~__.r 2003 - Striping and pavement markers work should be completed. This component has been delayed due to inclement weather. 4. Mid February J3~'.:'3."; 2004 - Guardrail work should be completed. This component has been delayed due to inclement weather. 5. March ....... · 2004 Remaining asphalt concrete work in the raised median will be completed. This component has been delayed due to inclement weather. 6. March 2004 - The project is scheduled for completion. This is the original programmed scheduled benchmark and the contraclor is committed to meeting that completion date. 7. Mid March 2004 - Signalizalion and lighting work should be completed. Kern COG stall will contacl Caltrans lor updates on Ihe progress ol this project. Should you require more information, please conlact Joe Stramaglia al 861-2191 or jst. ramaqlia@kernco(}.or_q. Sincerely, Ron~d E. Brummett, Executive Director Kern Council of Governments 140 i I C~rh gm,,er. %1 ~.f('~ 300. B;:k,}r.:h,?ld. Cahrorn~/~ '-73301 !(,(', I j ,% I 2. 19' F'~.~csl.m~ic' I~f-,& ] ) 32'1.8215 'FfY 16611 832 7433 www. V, emco£) or,j ..... _RECEIVE CITY MANAGER'S Department of Recreation and Parks Date: January 9, 2004 To: Alan Tandy, City Manager From: Alan Christensen, Interim Director of Recreation and Parks Subject: Monthly Report for December Attached are the monthly activity reports for each division. If you have any questions or require additional information, please let me know. B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Parks Division December 2003, Report NEW ACREAGE Four parcels totaling 1.27 acres were accepted into Maintenance District acreage for Parks Division to maintain. This location included 114 trees and 586 shrubs plus groundcover. No General Fund supported acreage was accepted. In addition, two developer maintained parcels of streetscape totaling 1.37 acres with 182 trees and 1,818 shrubs were entered into a 365 day maintenance period. These locations shall become our responsibility to maintain following conclusion of developer's 365 day maintenance responsibility. THEY'LL BE MISSED After 29 years service with the city, James Watkins retired from our Urban Forestry section. James had risen through the ranks to become one of four Tree Maintainer II's. Glenna McCombs left our department in early December. Glenna was with the city for only two and one half years as a regular employee, but had worked several seasons with us as a temporary employee. Glenna was a Service Maintenance Worker who had work experience at our city's green waste facility, within the Urban Forestry section and general park assignments. Parks Division has now had seven employees either transfer or retire this fiscal year. Their positions remain frozen, although we have received permission to fill 6 of the seven positions with temporary employees. PARK RESERVATIONS Understandably, dropping temperatures resulted in dropping reservations and attendance at our parks this month. We provided services for 15 formal reservations with 610 participants. FURTHER TEMPORARY STAFF REDUCTIONS Continued fiscal concerns left no other viable option than to eliminate all 6 winter season Maintenance District temporary positions. These positions are typically maintained November 1 through mid March. Under normal budget scenarios, we would have a winter temporary contingent of 15-18 combined General Fund and Maintenance District winter temporary employees. We have not had a General Fund temporary employee this entire fiscal year. VANDALISM Beginning in mid December, we noticed numerous newly planted trees were' being snapped off at a chest to shoulder level above ground. The locations were primarily in the downtown corridor. Locations included two sides of the "Q" street underpass, ice rink, within the parking lot of our own Recreation and Parks office, and on 19th Street east of Chester. Kern County Parks and Recreation also reported several trees destroyed within their new Panorama Drive Park project. We are working with BPD to try and sole this problem. Once again park signs are becoming a target for vandals to deface or steal letters. The Garden Park sign was replaced due to vandalism and the Deer Peak Park sign replaced last spring had letters removed. We are investigating use of a pre-cast sign similar to other parks for Deer Peak in order to eliminate the theft of letter problem. B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: January 6, 2004 To: Allen Abe, Assistant Recreation and Parks Director From: Ken Trone, Park Construction and Facilities Planner Subject: Parks Department Planning and Construction Activity Planning Jefferson/ Bid accepted for the MLK projected, MLK Pool Bid rejected for the Jefferson project, Rehab Jefferson will be reevaluated and re-bid in mid to late 2004. Construction Rio Vista Lakes and connecting stream were filled with water. Final staff checks of construction plans near completion. Development Agreements 6095 Park Bob Lusich has approached the city on behalf of his client to propose a 4-5 acre fully improved park site within his tract. A development agreement is being created by city staff. Agreement will include park land dedication, acquisition, and improvement. The developer is referring to the project as Granite Point Park. The park will have traditional features with the exception of a possible water element that will have a dual use as a recharge basin for Kern Delta Water District, Grants Proposition40 We have applied for contracts with the State of California totaling about 1,6 million dollars, The contracts will encumber the funds and are not project specific, The next step is to identify projects, Capital Improvement Jefferson Park Project award to California Surfacing, A notice Court Project to proceed will be delayed until early spring as overlay product requires 50 degree minimum temperatures to apply, B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Monthly Report December 2003 Dr Martin Luther Kinq Jr. Community Center Youth Activities Flag Football Our grass roots football program with Pal, Boys and Girls club and the Friendship house ended with the all star game on December 11, we were represented by three kids, Eric Jackson, Mason Johnson and Chris Holmes. Dance Troupe A special thank you goes out to Karen Bostick and the troupe for a wonderful performance at the Christmas parade and also for Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa The celebration was a huge success. The unique African event was well attendant we estimate more than 300 hundred people came to enjoy African art and dance. Special event We hosted a Christmas program on Dec 22, 45 children ages 5 to 10 enjoyed, candy and popcom; we had a Santa and each child received a gift donated by the Boys and Girls club. Dean Jones Page 1 1/7/2004 9:06 AM B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and ParIzs Date: January 7, 2004 To: Alan Christensen, Interim Director From: Terri Elison, Recreation Supervisor Subject: December Monthly Report Silver Creek After School Program ......................... 450 Attendance ......................... 30 Average Daily Attendance Silver Creek After School program celebrated the holiday season by creating several holiday crafts, singing holiday songs, playing a variety of holiday games, and having a big holiday party. Highlights included making their own Gingerbread House, reindeer and star ornaments, and sock snowman. The students were off December 22nd to January 2nd for winter break. The program resumed on January 5th. Silver Creek Rentals ................................................... $336.00 (Figure does not Include deposits) The Silver Creek multi-purpose room and/or pavilion were rented one time during the month of December. The center was rented for a company Christmas party. Total attendance was approximately 60. Silver Creek Center The majority of classes offered at the center are not scheduled during the month of December because of the holidays. This gives the instructors a break and allows time for facility maintenance. Silver Creek's multipurpose room floors were stripped and waxed as well as the carpets cleaned in the offices. In addition, staff completed an inventory of all equipment and supplies. Classes at Silver Creek in December: # Registered Total Attendance Chess 5 5 Dance & Gym (4-5) 8 8 Dance & Gym (2-3) 9 9 Karate 17 136 Tai Chi 6 48 6:35 PM 1/8/2004 C:\Documents and Settings\sforsyth\Local Settings\Temp\Terri December 2003 Report. doc Created by Telison Tennis (Child-Beg) 8 16 Tennis (Child-lnt) 2 4 Tennis (Adults) 4 8 TOTAL 59 234 Classes at Other Facilities # Registered Total Attendance Siemon Park Tennis (Child) no class no class Tennis (Adult) no class no class All Star Dance Studio Dance & Gym (2 1/2 - 4) no class no class Dance & Gym (4- 5) no class no class American Academy of Gymnastics Gymnastics (4 - 5) 3 6 Gymnastics (3- 5) no class no class Gymnastics (K- 6yrs) no class no class TOTAL 3 6 Attendance Silver Creek Center: Rentals ......................................... 60 Classes ........................................ 234 Registrations Taken: 95 After School Program ................ 450 # of Guests Served: 211 (The # of Guests served does not include registration) TOTAL .................... 744 6:35 PM 1/8/2004 C:\Documents and Settings\sforsythXkocal Settings\SFemp\Terri December 2003 Report.doc Created by Telison B A K E R S F I E L D DATE: January 5, 2004 TO: Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager FROM: Holly Larson, Supervisor RE: December Monthly Report Mill Creek Proiect: The committee continues to meet weekly and all members have submitted portions of the grant to be compiled by the committee chair. Ice Center: Aquatics staff assisted at the grand opening for this facility on December 13. Aquatics: Our first lifeguard training took place on December 19-21, 2003. Seven trainers attended and had licenses updated. In addition, 3 renewal lifeguards attended and 2 new lifeguards attended. Interviews are currently taking place to hire lifeguards for the 2003-04 season. Twenty- seven candidates have been selected thus far. Aquatics Club of Bakersfield is currently renting Silver Creek Pool for swim practices. Aqua Yoga and Aqua Fitness classes will be held in the evenings at Silver Creek beginning January 5, 2004. An informational meeting was scheduled for December 11 and was open to all agencies interested in discussing programming opportunities at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center. There were no agencies who attended this meeting. C:\Documents and Settings~sforsyth\Local Settings~Temphnonthly report.docC:\Documents and SettingsXsforsyth\Local Settings\Temp~onthly repoa.doc 1/7/20049:25 AM B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks Date: January 9, 2003 To: Sally Ihmels, Recreation Superintendent From: Linda McVicker, Recreation Supervisor Subject: Monthly Report for November ADULT SOFTBALL Adult Softball went very smoothly. We had 78 teams in our Fall League with 1,340 players. We had several playoff games because the teams were so evenly matched. Registration begins for the spring league January 5 with the games beginning March 8th. MOBILE RECREATION The last day of the Mobile Recreation program was December 23rd. The leaders made lots of holiday crafts projects with the participants. LOWELL NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY CENTER The Lowell Neighborhood Community Center was open from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm on weekdays. We had 15 flag football players attend an awards ceremony at the PAL for participating in the Flag football program. The Girl Scouts conducted their last meeting in December and gave the 15 participants awards for participating. YOUTH BASKETBALL Unfortunately we did not have enough participants to conduct the Youth Basketball League. We sent 1000 local schools and fliers to last years participants and sent information to the Californian. We may need to look at the location or the time of year the program is offered to get more participants. C:iDocumer~ts ,,~nd Settir',gs\sforsyth\Loca! Set~ings\'Femp\December Reporl,doc LMC ....... : RECEIVED CITY MANAGER'S DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS DATE: January 9, 2004 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Alan Christensen, Interim Director Recreation and Parks SUBJECT: DEMOLITION SCHEDULE FOR INTERNATIONAL SQUARE ~ Ref00'0642 (WARD CITY WIDE) Council/Alan Tandy requested Alan Christensen and Public Works Department develop a plan and schedule demolition of International Square Park. Recreation and Parks and Public Works Department coordinated their efforts in clearing the area of International Square Park along with help from the Police Department. Concrete, metal, and trees were all taken to recycling areas. The wrought iron fence was taken down and will be used on another project in the area. A great portion of the trees were cut into 8' sections so they could be milled into usable lumber. The two (2) security light poles were saved to be used for a future lighting project in the city. The clearing project was completed on January 7, 2004. S:\Council Referrals\Ref000642.doc January 9, 2004 (11:35AM)