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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/26/2009 B A K E R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM June 26, 2009 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Co cil FROM: Alan Tandy, City Manager SUBJECT: General Information We received our quarterly sales tax information. It is down 14 percent from the same quarter last year. We can find no other decline of that amount from our past, so it is a record, though not the type we want. We will obviously monitor the next quarter's distribution in late September to see what happens. Meanwhile, financial controls, combined with the freeze of most vacated positions, will have to continue. MISCELLANEOUS CITY NEWS We had a good turnout for this week's grand opening of the spray park at Saunders Park. The Allen Road Bridge was also opened today. The groundbreaking ceremony for the 7th Standard Road Widening Project will be held Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. A flyer is attached. A letter from Bright House Networks is enclosed with information about several high definition channels that will be relocated effective June 30, 2009. —> For those of you who enjoy the free Movies in the Park, the lineup has changed a bit. Next Wednesday, July 1St, the Sound of Music will be presented. The following Wednesday, July 81h, is a special "Christmas in July" showing of Miracle on 34t" Street. As a reminder, the movies are held at the Park at River Walk, and begin at dusk. Here is a status update of the roadway paving projects currently awarded: ♦ White Lane -Wible to Dovewood Paving operations are continuing in the outside lanes. This weekend, the intersection of White Lane and Akers will be completely reconstructed. Detours will be in place on Saturday and Sunday while this work is being done. Parking pocket construction is scheduled to start next week. This project is on schedule for completion on September 23, 2009. ♦ Oak Street - Brundage to Truxtun Handicap ramp replacement is being completed this week and pavement grinding operations are scheduled to start next week. This project is on schedule for completion on September 11, 2009. ♦ New Stine Road - Ming to Wilson Handicap ramp replacement is being completed this week and pavement grinding operations are scheduled to start next week. This project is on schedule for completion on September 11, 2009. Honorable Mayor and City Council June 26, 2009 Page 2 ♦ Pacheco Road - New Stine to Akers Construction has not yet started on Pacheco Road. The contractor is currently working on the proper mix design for the Full Depth Reclamation process. Once this mix design is complete and approved, construction operations will begin. This project is still on schedule for completion on September 11, 2009. ♦ Stockdale Highway - California to Weatherly and Country Club Lane to Akers Road The preconstruction meeting with the contractor has been held and construction operations are scheduled to start within the next two weeks. The scheduled completion date of this project is February 10, 2010. ♦ White Lane - Gosford Road to Ashe Road The preconstruction meeting with the contractor has been held and construction operations are scheduled to start within the next two weeks. The scheduled completion date of this project is October 6, 2009. The Streets Division work schedule for the week of June 29th is enclosed. MORE ON THE BUDGET AND THE ECONOMY California State Controller John Chiang announced this week that he will issue registered warrants, or IOUs, beginning July 2nd if immediate budget and cash solutions are not quickly passed. The State's $2.8 billion cash shortage in July will grow to $6.5 billion in September, and after that will see a double- digit freefall. Chiang also mentioned that previous tactics to delay payments will not be a viable option, and short-term, high-cost loans from Wall Street to cover the cash shortfall was taken off the table by Governor Schwarzenegger. The greatest concern is that resorting to IOUs sends a signal that California has exhausted all other options to manage its cash flow. The legislature flopped around this week. At one point, one Chamber voted to take Gas Tax funds and defer payments to cities as an "interim" measure to deal with their cost flow problems. That may have been abated for the week, but the City is still very much at risk! Enclosed are more articles from various newspapers that highlight the difficult times public agencies are facing and how they are adjusting their budgets. CLOVIS, CA — The City Council approved its budget this week that included cuts to deal with a $5.3 million shortfall. The cuts include five vacant police officer positions and 2.5 nonsworn positions in the police and fire departments. In addition, the downtown fire station will be closed 80 percent of the time and several changes will be implemented to various programs. FRESNO COUNTY, CA — The Board of Supervisors slashed millions of dollars in law enforcement costs as part of a $1.7 billion budget approved Wednesday. Included are cuts to the Public Defender's, District Attorney's, Sheriff's Offices. In total, 167 jobs will be eliminated, 92 of which were already vacant. KERN COUNTY, CA — The Board of Supervisors approved the layoff of fourteen deputy probation officers this week. Honorable Mayor and City Council June 26, 2009 Page 3 MODESTO, CA — The City Council adopted a budget that includes the layoff of nine police officers. Councilmembers maintained that they wouldn't layoff officers if the Modesto Police Officers Association (MPOA) agrees to defer raises for one year, saving the City $820,000. The MPOA has agreed to furloughs, but wouldn't give wage concessions unless the City grants a no-layoff guarantee. The MPOA has suggested using money from the City's vehicle replacement fund or its employee benefit fund to allay reductions in the police budget. Councilmembers are unwilling to spend reserves or take money from other accounts to put into the police operating budget because they fear the state will take more than $3 million from Modesto to balance its own budget. That concern is one of the main reasons the City won't give the union a no-layoff pledge. The budget includes concessions from three other unions. OAKLAND, CA — The City Council unanimously rejected a three-year union contract offer from the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) that included no pay increase over the next two years and a $29 million reduction in spending. The Council rejected the offer because they need a 10 percent cut from all of its unions, including the police department. Police officers are scheduled to receive a 4 percent pay raise on July 1, but there is no formal offer on the table to give this money back. SACRAMENTO, CA — The City Council rejected a proposal from the fire union to extend its contract and freeze pay for the 2009-10 fiscal year in exchange for an assurance from the City that no firefighters would get laid off for one year. The Council is still trying to persuade the fire union to agree to a three- year salary deal similar to the concessions met earlier this year by the police union. However, with negotiations apparently dead, sixty-eight firefighters will be laid off by July 2nd STOCKTON, CA — The City Council adopted a budget that dealt with a $31 million budget deficit by requiring the layoff of about fifty-five police officers and by dramatically reducing spending citywide on road work, libraries and recreation. The Vice Mayor said that without sufficient concessions from labor, the City could not afford to pay the number of employees it once could. Earlier this month, four Councilmembers rejected the City Manager's initial budget proposal, objecting to its reliance on $5.5 million in uncertain federal aid for police. Two Councilmembers dissented on the latest proposal, saying to layoff fifty-five police officers before a decision is made on federal aid for police is premature. RESPONSES TO COUNCIL REQUESTS Councilmember Carson • Westside Parkway Employment Projections. AT:rs:rk cc: Department Heads Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk Roberta Gafford, Assistant City Clerk • The Kern County Board of Supervisors cordially invites you to attend the Seventh Standard Road Widening Project Groundbreaking Ceremony Wednesday July 19 2000 10:00 a.m. International Trade and Transportation Center Seventh Standard Road at Zachary Avenue Shafter, CA Scheduled speakers include: Non. Jon Mequiston Chairman,Kern County Board of SuperviSors Representative Kevin McCarthy 22"'California Congressional District Mayor Cathy Prout City of Shafter 1 Roau� lDj,r e c tin n s a e d Ma p 0 fl Reverse I Seventh Standard Road ffidening Project Groundbreaking Ceremony Wednesday July 1, 2000 10:00 a.m. LOCATION : International Trade 9 Transportation Center Seventh Standard Road at Zachary Avenue Shafter, CA. Directions From Northeast: Exit southbound SR- �, 99 at 7th Standard Road and proceed 1 west to ITTC-Shafter. ca > o a � c From Southeast: Exit northbound SR 43 Q 99 99 at SR 65. Turn left at Merle Hag- CU r1i gard Drive, cross SR-99 and proceed 7th Standard Road west to ITTC-Shafter. —► ~ From Southwest: Exit northbound SR 43 at 7th Standard Road and pro- lop% N ceed east to ITTC-Shafter. t N From Southwest: Exit southbound } 0 1 \ SR 43 or Southbound Santa Fe Way I at 7th Standard Road and proceed east to ITTC-Shafter. 3701 North Sillect Avenue Joseph R. Schoenstein Bakersfield, CA 93308 Division President Tel (661) 634-2260 Bakersfield Division Fax (661) 395-3378 bright house NETWORKS June 18, 2009 Mr.Alan Tandy City Manager City of Bakersfield 9?0®q 1600 Truxtun Avenue, 5th Floor Bakersfield, CA 93301 Dear Mr. Tandy: Further to my letter of May 28, 2009 regarding the relocation of all HD channels to the 1000+series, the following channels will also be moving to that same 1000+series effective June 30, 2009: Current New Channel Channel KGET(NBC) 17 HD 43 1003 KBFX (Fox 58) HD 46 1006 KBAK (CBS) 29 HD 47 1007 KERO (ABC) 23 HD 48 1008 KVPT(PBS) HD 49 1018 These channels will begin broadcasting in their new locations on Tuesday, June 30, 2009. They will continue to be simulcast in their current locations for a transition period of thirty(30) days. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. Sincerely, Joseph R. Schoenstein Division President State Controller to again issue IOUs I KGET TV 17 Page 1 of I State Controller to again issue IOUs Last Update: 11:04 am California State Controller John Chiang announced Wednesday he will issue registered warrants, or IOUs, beginning July 2 if immediate budget and cash solutions are not quickly passed. "Next Wednesday we start a fiscal year with a massively unbalanced spending plan and a cash shortfall not seen since the Great Depression," Chiang said in a news release. "The State's $2.8 billion cash shortage in I July grows to $6.5 billion in September, and after that we see a double- digit freefall. Unfortunately, the State's inability to balance its checkbook will now mean short-changing taxpayers, local governments and small businesses." Chiang delayed payments for 30 days in February, including thousands of � tax return payments. But Chiang said the current is roughly five times larger and cannot be temporarily covered by payment delays. The option to pursue short-term, high-cost loans from Wall Street to cover the cash shortfall was taken off the table by Governor Schwarzenegger earlier this month, the release indicated. More from Chiang's release: The State Controller met with the Governor and Legislative leaders this week to warn them of the consequences of further budget delays. In addition to the burden on those who receive the notes, resorting to IOUs sends a signal that California has exhausted all other options to manage its cash flow. Payment categories protected by the State Constitution, federal law and court decisions will receive regular payments in July. All other general fund payments will be paid with IOUs. These include payments to local governments for social services, private contractors, state vendors, income and corporate tax refunds, and payments for State operations including legislative per diem. The warrants will carry an interest rate set by the Pooled Money Investment Board. The Controller has requested an emergency meeting of the Board on July 2 to set the rate. Any rate adoption will become effective immediately. The warrants will have a maturity date of October 1, 2009. If IOUs are issued next month, the State Controller will launch a customer call-center to answer questions. The Controller's Web site, www sco.ca.gov will be updated regularly with the latest information on the State's cash position and related developments. The Controller's Web site also has several new Web pages with information about registered warrants. h ttp://www.kget.com/news/local/story/State-Controller-to-again-issue-IOUs/W_LzP5 aW Ik-ScvROnCiM... 6/24/2009 - Local Page 1 of 1 Clovis OKs budget that cuts police, social services Published online on Tuesday,Jun.23,2009 By Paula Lloyd/The Fresno Bee The Clovis City Council approved a$161 million budget Monday night that includes fewer police and fire employees and cuts in services for seniors,the disabled and youths beginning in July. "Everyone's had to make some really tough choices,"Council Member Bob Whalen said after the council's unanimous budget approval.Next year's budget will be"difficult for a lot of people,"Whalen said. Whalen said he hoped volunteers would help fill in the gaps left by budget cuts. The cuts are intended to deal with a$5.3 million shortfall for the budget year that begins July 1. The recession and the housing slump are reducing city revenues from sales and property taxes. Overall,the 2009-10 budget is nearly 29%below the current year's budget,city officials said. The cuts include five vacant police officer positions and 2.5 nonsworn positions in the police and fire departments. The council did not restore the$300,000 needed to pay for three firefighter positions necessary to keep the downtown Clovis fire station open full time.The station will be closed 80%of the time. The budget also will cut programs for Clovis youths.The Clovis Area Recreation center will close in August unless the city can find a nonprofit organization to take over the program.The Police Activities League,in which about 300 youths participated,also fell victim to the budget ax. The Clovis Senior Center will close during the day on Fridays,but will open for Friday evening dances.The center will be open on Saturdays and Sundays only for weddings and parties that rent the center. Urged on by several senior citizens,city officials said they would try to keep open two popular senior exercise programs. The council also agreed to raise bus fares by 25 cents,to$1.25,and end weekend Stageline service and an evening and weekend subsidized taxi voucher program.The changes take effect Aug. 1 and are expected to save the city$283,400. Several senior and disabled residents spoke against changes to the transit program. "These changes affect the people with the most needs,to maintain their independence,"said Kathy Yoshida,director of interpreting services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in Fresno."Eliminating these services really cuts down on this population group's independence." "Clearly,many of you have no other options,"said Council Member Nathan Magsig."As a council,we struggle--where do we come up with the money?" http://Www.fresnobee.con/local/v-print/story/1489316.html 6/23/2009 - Updates Page 1 of 1 Fresno County OKs deeply cut $1 .7 billion budget Published online on Wednesday,Jun.24,2009 By Brad Branan/The Fresno Bee Fresno County supervisors slashed millions of dollars in law enforcement costs as part of a$1.7 billion budget approved Wednesday. The cuts were necessary to reduce$41 million in spending countywide during the fiscal year that will begin July 1.A bad economy and the prospect of future reductions in state funding forced supervisors to make a number of difficult choices. "This is a lean,tough budget,"said Supervisor Debbie Poochigian,who was elected last year as a self-described fiscal conservative. But board Chairwoman Susan Anderson said the budget doesn't make enough cuts,and plans to"spend more than we have."Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve the budget,with Anderson in opposition. The budget contains misleading staff figures,doesn't plan for which positions should be cut,and fails to address likely cuts in state funding,Anderson said. The budget eliminates 167 positions,out of 7,000 jobs countywide,said Budget Director Kathleen Donawa.Of the eliminated positions,75 are currently filled. Some of the biggest cuts were made to the Public Defender's Office,the District Attorney's Office,and the Sheriffs Office.As a result,department heads said,caseloads will go up,slowing the resolution of cases.Sheriff Margaret Mims warns about having to release inmates from the county jail. Mims said she would need an additional$10.5 million next year to keep service at existing levels. How county department heads make cuts remains somewhat in flux,in part because of uncertainty about how the state will resolve its budget crisis.Mims said she will likely need to lay off correctional officers and professional staff,but will not eliminate deputies. The reduction in correctional officers could mean having to release inmates from the county jail,which is bound by a federal consent decree over staffing levels,she said. "There's going to have to be layoffs,"Mims said,adding that she's not sure of how many because she hopes to secure a federal stimulus grant and other state funding. The release of inmates from the jail has been a source of contention between Mims and supervisors,as well as the city of Fresno,which has challenged inmate releases in court. After the budget was passed,the Sheriffs Office sent out a news release saying the Area 2 substation on East Shields Avenue in Fresno would be closed to the public for the week of June 29. The station needs to be closed to comply with the county administrator's requirement,approved in the budget,that county employees take a 40-hour furlough during the year,the release says. The budget cuts$1.1 million from the Public Defender's Office budget,eliminating 24 positions,all but three of which are filled.Public Defender Ken Taniguchi says indigent cases will eventually get transferred to private attorneys at a higher cost to the county. Karen Anderson,an investigator in the office,said an understaffed Public Defender's office is going to create delays for the District Attorney's Office and others in the justice system. It also will keep inmates in the jail longer,adding to Sheriffs Office costs,she said. District Attorney Elizabeth Egan said she kept positions vacant in expectation of the need for budget cuts.The budget eliminates 29 positions from her office,all vacant. Egan said attorneys in her office already have the highest caseload in the state,which makes it harder to win convictions. Supervisors expect to revisit the budget later this year when the state resolves its own budget gap,now estimated to be about$24 billion. A number of potential state budget solutions are expected to lead to more cuts for the county. http:JJwww.fresnobee.com/updates/v-print/story/1494813.html 6/26/2009 Supervisors OK layoffs in probation department - Bakersfield.com Page 1 of 2 Bakersfield.com: Kern County news, events, classifieds, shopping, & search Local News Supervisors OK layoffs in probation department BY JAMES BURGER, Californian staff writer e-mail: iUur9erCbaker5f eld.com I Tuesday,Jun 23 2009 05:31 PM Last Updated Tuesday,Jun 23 2009 05:31 PM Budget pain continued for the county of Kern Tuesday as county supervisors laid off 14 deputy probation officers. Probation Director John Roberts said he requested the layoffs with great regret and sorrow. But he said supervisors needed to take decisive action so the department can save as much money as possible. Supervisors, after making it clear last week that there would be no new funding to protect probation officers'jobs,voted for the layoffs with no discussion. Health management The supervisors hired Managed Care Systems to run the county's self-funded health plan. County staff had recommended rehiring the existing administrator, HealthSmart Holdings -- despite the two companies being rated as "tied"in the evaluation process. Staff recommended sticking with HealthSmart since it already has the county contract to minimize disruption to services. But MCS's local base swayed supervisors. Supervisor Mike Maggard said he supported Managed Care Systems because of its ability to bring jobs to Kern County. "Everything else being equal, I would always prefer to go with a local (company)," Supervisor Ray Watson said. Road widening Supervisors approved a$15 million contract with Security Paving Co. to widen 7th Standard Road from Santa Fe Way to Coffee Road. An interchange project already underway at 7th Standard Road and Highway 99 will connect the widening project to the freeway. K-GOV television Supervisors approved a 1 percent franchise fee on cable television users to pay for the continued operation of Kern httD://www.bakersfield.com/news/lncal/x1 )1F.7R1 f-.v ,____rr_ • , . Supervisors OK layoffs in probation department - Bakersfield.com Page 2 of 2 Government Television. Repairs and replacement of equipment require the fee, staff said. The fee would also pay for other capital costs for the county operation. Average cable users will pay an additional 35 cents each month. Open,Calais httt)://www.bakersfield_com/newt/lncal/x 171 A7R 1 2d7/c,,--- nv The Modesto Bee I Modesto votes to lay off 9 officers Pagel of 2 The Modesto Bw �4 Print This Article modbee.com Posted on Wed,Jun. 24, 2009 Modesto votes to lay off 9 officers By Adam Ashton _a_ashtonCEDmodbee.com last updated:June 24, 2009 12:16:05 AM Urgent pleas from Modesto police officers Tuesday couldn't persuade the City Council to halt budget cuts that would lay off nine cops in the next week. Both sides reiterated their bargaining points in a short but tense council a meeting that drew more than 150 people. Council members maintained that they wouldn't lay off officers if the Modesto Police Officers Association agrees to defer raises for one year,saving the city $820,000. "All we're asking them to do is push off—not take away—push off their raises for one year,and there would be no layoffs,"Mayor Jim Ridenour said. The council vote was 7-0. MPOA leaders held their ground,saying they would cut their pay by nearly 5 Modesto Police Officer Eric Pena carries a sign as he and other percent through furloughs but wouldn't give wage concessions unless the city Modesto Police Officer Association members marched to city rants a no-layoff guarantee.It's also passing on improved health care hall to attend the Modesto council meeting Tuesday,June 23, g Y g P g P 2009.(DEBBIE NODA/dnoda @modbee.com)-- contributions that were offered to other unions. "People think the MPOA is fighting for raises,"said officer Eric Pena,who received a layoff notice. "The MPOA is fighting for our jobs." The city has one week to reach an agreement with the 202-member MPOA that would avert the nine layoffs before the City's 20o9-io budget starts July 1. The Police Department will pull officers from specialty units to maintain patrol staffing at loo officers. The council's vote was part of a package of cuts to close a$4.8 million deficit in the$107 million budget. It includes wage concessions from three other city unions and eliminating maintenance for small"parkettes"on private land. Many people at the meeting advocated for more parks funding,saying the city shouldn't allow its green spaces to wither. Modesto officials want to develop partnerships with residents and private groups to provide some of the maintenance the city says it can't afford. "Let's not make the city look like foreclosureville with everything brown and dirty,"said real estate broker Louis Levin. Residents were passionate about parks,but their appeals were just a preview of the showdown over police layoffs. MPOA members and their families arrived early,carrying signs as they marched through downtown encouraging people to support the police.They brought their families and sought to put a face on the layoffs. Officer Caelli Hall introduced the nine officers who received layoff notices last week,describing their families and careers before they joined the Modesto Police Department.She's one of the officers who will lose her job if the union and the city can't find a compromise. MPOA President Tony Arguelles implored the council to consider some of the budget cuts that his union has proposed, such as trimming uniform allowances or changing the way the city pays for annual police physicals. The union also wants the city to consider using money from its vehicle replacement fund or its employee benefit fund to allay reductions in the police budget. "We can find the money,"former Councilman Bruce Frohman said,urging the council to follow through on the raises in the police contract."We want to keep all of our police officers on duty,period." Council members are unwilling to spend reserves or take money from other accounts to put into the police operating }1ff/1•�/�:nvw mn.al.00 .....v./1',..,�..«,..7/_. �_-� /_ _�_/rrc�nni i The Modesto Bee I Modesto votes to lay off 9 officers Page 2 of 2 budget because they fear the state will take more than$3 million from Modesto to balance its own budget.That concern is one of the main reasons the city won't give the union a no-layoff pledge. Councilman Will O'Bryant,a retired Alameda County sheriffs detective,said"common sense"should carry the argument over the labor dispute. "When I look at this problem,I think what are we asking them to give up?What is this ironclad(issue)that is making the Modesto Police Department lock up and not want to give anything? "And I'm thinking we're not taking anything from them.We're trying to postpone a raise.We're trying to postpone a raise,but we're trying to save layoffs." Bee staff writer Adam Ashton can be reached at aashton(a)modbee.com or 578-2366. This article is protected by copyright and should not be printed or distributed for anything except personal use. Copyright©2009,The Modesto Bee,1325 H St.,Modesto,CA 95354 Phone:(209)578-2000. httD://www.modbee.com/featured/v-nrint/ctnry/75,IR()A 1 f-1 Oakland police needs to give in budget talks Page 1 of 2 SFGA ft.com Oakland police needs to give in budget talks Chip Johnson Friday, June 19, 2009 Contract negotiations between the Oakland Police Officers Association and the City Council are getting rough. On Tuesday, the council unanimously rejected a three-year union contract offer that included no pay increases over the next two years and a $29 million reduction in spending. The proposal was offered in a bid to help the city balance an $83 million budget shortage. "We offered them a fair deal on Tuesday, but we got nowhere,"said Sgt. Barry Donelan, OPOA's vice president. "We've gotten nowhere in eight months." The union's offer might have seemed reasonable - unless you're on the council. In Tuesday night's council session, and several times since then, the members of the Oakland City Council have stated clearly: They need a 10 percent cut from all of its unions -including the police department. District 6 Council Member Desley Brooks said her colleagues should consider replacing Oakland police officers with deputies from the less-expensive Alameda County Sheriffs Department for Oakland Coliseum events if the union rejects the cut. Council member Jean Quan,who heads the finance committee, said the OPOA's latest offer fell about $6 million short of the cuts the council wanted to see. In an interview Thursday, OPOA president Dom Arotzarena countered Quan's claim, saying the figure fell about $1 million below the council's goal.And then he launched.Arotzarena said he was tired of the police officers union being cast as the public scapegoat for the city's financial ills.And what's more, he says it's been unfairly singled out for criticism by council members seeking to manipulate public sentiment and the ongoing budget process. He's right on both counts,but unfortunately he cannot offer a defensible argument for why it shouldn't be happening. Don't blame Arotzarena, who took over as union president last fall. First off, of course politicians are going to use the public meetings and press coverage to their advantage whenever they see one.That's what politicians do. Secondly, and more importantly in this case, they are right on target. On Tuesday, I criticized Mayor Ron Dellums for asking that his office be spared the deepest cuts in the city's budget-balancing efforts. It would be dishonest for me to approach cuts to the Police Department any other way but the same way. Within the ranks of the OPOA are some of the highest-paid employees in the city; their annual average pay ranks among tops in the state.The OPOA also has one of the largest pension funds in the state. http://www.sfRate.com/ce'-bin/article_cpl;7-1t',1ai?nn4mAi,o/D A QT T,0 Oakland police needs to give in budget talks Page 2 of 2 On top of that, the police officers are scheduled to receive a 4 percent pay raise on July 1. That makes them sound more like Merrill Lynch brokers demanding bonus checks in the middle of a financial firestorm than humble police officers sworn to uphold public safety- and they realize it. "We know the right thing to do is to give the money back, and we know taking a raise right now would be stupid," Arotzarena said. "But we need to see an offer on the table." This is one fight the OPOA cannot win and should not fight -because if you win now, it's going to cost you in the long run. In Oakland,police officers are asked to be superheroes who can show up in three places simultaneously. We pay them to uphold the city's laws, show respect to its citizens and work with residents and city officials to build a better city. With the city in dire financial straits, city officials have made it abundantly clear what they need from the officers this time: They are being asked to pitch in, like everyone else, and give a little. Even if you don't believe the ball is in your court, it's certainly in your best interest to work out a deal with the council before a 4 percent pay raise in the midst of an $83 million budget deficit sets the stage for next year's contract negotiations. Chip Johnson's column appears in the Chronicle on Tuesdays and Fridays. E-mail him at chjohnson @sfchronicle.com. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/19/BA8U 18A336.DTL This article appeared on page B - i of the San Francisco Chronicle http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cLi?f=/c/a/2009/OA/I Q/RA Ri i>A e IIA nTT 68 Sacramento firefighters face layoffs as offer is rejected - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sac... Pagel of 2 THESiACRAMEMME sacbee o This story is taken from Sacbee / Our Region / Top Stories 68 Sacramento firefighters face layoffs as offer is rejected rliiiis @sacbee.com Published Wednesday, Jun. 24, 2009 The city of Sacramento has all but cut off talks with the fire union - and as many as 68 firefighters will likely lose their jobs next week as a result. Mayor Kevin Johnson said the city was "moving forward under the premise that we're done" negotiating with the fire union after a proposal from the firefighters to extend their current contract by one year was rejected by the City Council in a closed session Tuesday. The fire union had proposed taking a pay freeze in the 2009-10 fiscal year in exchange for an assurance from the city that no firefighters would get laid off for one year. The proposal was backed by council members Lauren Hammond and Steve Cohn, and fire union officials said the offer would have no trouble getting ratified by union membership. But the mayor and six other members of the council apparently balked at the idea, sticking to their message of trying to persuade the fire union to agree to a three-year salary deal similar to the concessions met earlier this year by the police union. The concessions were part of the city's plan to cut into a $50 million deficit for the 2009-10 fiscal year to help the city plan out its budget over the next three years. With negotiations apparently dead, the last day for those firefighters who lose their jobs will be July 2. The job cuts include up to 50 layoffs and the demotion of 18 high-ranking fire personnel who would bump lower-ranking firefighters out of their jobs. Officials with the fire union did not return phone messages seeking comment. The mayor left open the possibility that the city would be willing to entertain another proposal from the fire union before the cutbacks take effect, but that appears unlikely. Johnson said the months- long process had involved "tactics and things that weren't as kosher as I'd like them to be." The city has said for months they wanted a three-year deal with their unions that included salary freezes this year and smaller raises in the second and third years. But city officials said the fire union expressed little interest in a three-year agreement. Two tentative agreements with the fire union - one a two-year deal, the other for four years - failed. httn://www.sachee.com/tonctnrii-c/v_nl;-f/,+--,/imi Lam___ Council OKs Stockton budget I Recordnet.com Pagel of 2 News COUNCIL OKS STOCKTON BUDGET ABOUT 55 POLICE OFFICERS LAID OFF; SPENDING SLASHED By David Siders June 24,2009 Record Staff writer STOCKTON -The City Council adopted a budget on a 5-2 vote late Tuesday, erasing a$31 million budget deficit by requiring the layoff of about 55 police officers and by dramatically reducing spending citywide. "Our backs are up against the wall," Mayor Ann Johnston said. "We don't have any choice in the matter. ... These are extraordinary times." The budget's adoption came eight days before the start of fiscal 2009-10 next Wednesday and ended months of deliberation by the council. Councilwomen Susan Eggman and Leslie Baranco Martin dissented, saying to lay off 55 police officers before a decision is made on federal aid for police is premature. The budget's adoption followed by a day interim Police Chief Blair Ulring's statement that the spending plan would cripple the Police Department, allowing it to do little more than respond to emergencies. On Tuesday, police officers appealed to the council not to lay off the officers, as had been expected since layoff notices were issued last month. "The repercussions lie solely on this council,"said Kevin McDonald, an officer who is to be laid off July 18. Vice Mayor Kathy Miller said that without sufficient concessions from labor, the city could not afford to pay the number of employees it once could. Like other California cities, Stockton has been battered by declining sales and property tax revenues in the recession. The$162.7 million general fund adopted Tuesday is about$45 million smaller than that of a year ago. The budget hearing Tuesday was the council's second this month. On June 9, four council members rejected City Manager Gordon Palmer's initial budget proposal, objecting to its reliance on $5.5 million in uncertain federal aid for police. Typical of the majority was Councilman Dale Fritchen, who said, "It would be irresponsible to spend money that you don't have." Last week, the council's budget and finance committee recommended a revised budget that did not count on federal money but that further reduced spending on road work, libraries and recreation and reduced by$2.8 million the general fund's projected balance, or informal reserve, by the end of fiscal 2009-10. The revised budget also required that the 55 police layoffs be made by July 18 rather than delayed until September on the hope of federal aid, officials said. It was that revised budget the council adopted Tuesday. "I cannot support laying off police officers at this time," Martin said. Fritchen, chairman of the budget committee, said the committee did nothing to accelerate the layoff of police officers. He said the budget revision directed more certain money to the Police Department, and if police aid is awarded, "This budget we're looking at right now will put more police officers on the street than the last budget we rejected." httD://Www.recordnet.com/anns/nhcc A/A ,.TT— Council OKs Stockton budget I Recordnet.com Page 2 of 2 Ulring said later, "No." He said, "Right now, we're going to cut to drastic numbers that we may have been able to avoid." Contact reporter David Siders at(209)943-8580 or dsiders @recordnet.com. httn-//www rernrdnet(-.nm/annc/nhrc r-11 A In—/)nnnnc'I e i e X -...I- Page 1 of 2 STREETS DIVISION — WORK SCHEDULE WEEK OF JUNE 29, 2009 — JULY 3, 2009 Resurfacing/Reconstructing streets in the following areas: Preparing streets for reconstruction in the area between Valley View Drive & Highland Knolls Drive, west of Fairfax Road. Miscellaneous Streets Division projects: Preparing Kingsley Lane from Castro Lane to the west end for resurfacing. THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Week of June 29_2009—Work Schedule.doc Page 2 of 2 STREETS SWEEPING SCHEDULE Monday, June 29, 2009 Sweeping areas that are not on a set sweeping schedule. Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Sweeping areas that are not on a set sweeping schedule. Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Between Panorama Dr. & Bernard St. -- Union Ave. & Loma Linda Dr. Between River Blvd. & E. Columbus St. — Panorama Dr. & Columbus St. Between College Ave. & Azalea Ave. — Mountain Dr. & Raval St. Between Ming Ave. & White Ln. —Allen Rd. & Buena Vista Rd. Thursday, July 2, 2009 City areas between Kentucky St. & Quincy St. — Owens St. & Virginia St. Between Union Ave. & Washington St. — E. Truxtun Ave. & Brundage Ln. Between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. — Panama Ln. & Pacheco Rd. (alignment) City areas between Progress Rd. & Old River Rd. — Meadow Falls Dr. & Rose Creek Dr. Friday, July 3, 2009 HOLIDAY. NO SWEEPING SCHEDULE. Week of June 29_2009_W A Schedule.doc B A K E R S F I E L D ?Q09 CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Raul Rojas, Public Works Director DATE: June 19, 2009 SUBJECT: WESTSIDE PARKWAY EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS Referral No. 92 COUNCILMEMBER CARSON REQUESTED STAFF PROVIDE A PROJECTION OF THE NUMBER OF LOCAL JOBS TO BE CREATED BY THIS PROJECT. According to Security Paving Company, the firm awarded the Westside Parkway Phase 2 project, there are approximately 18 employees from the Bakersfield area on their payroll. This represents approximately half of their manpower for this area. They will need to hire more employees, with the bulk of these new employees to come from the Bakersfield area. They anticipate having close to 60 employees on City projects. In addition, they will be buying approximately 500,000 tons of aggregates from Vulcan Materials, which is located in south Kern County; 5,000 tons of oil from Paramount Refinery, also located in Bakersfield; and miscellaneous materials, such as pipe, steel beams, concrete, and lumber from local suppliers. G:\GROUPDAT\Referrals\2009\6-10\#92 Westside Parkway Employment.doc