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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/16/2009 B A K E R S F I E L D to Harold Hanson, Chair John W. tinson, Assistant City Manager Ken Weir For: Alan Tandy, City Manager Irma Carson Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT REGULAR MEETING OF THE BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 12:00 p.m. City Hall North 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA First Floor, Conference Room A The meeting was called to order at 12:20:54 PM 1. ROLL CALL Committee members present: Councilmember Harold Hanson, Chair Councilmember Ken Weir Councilmember Irma Carson Absent: None Staff present: Alan Tandy, City Manager Rhonda Smiley, Asst. to the City Manager Rick Kirkwood, Management Assistant Dianne Hoover, Rec. & Parks Director Joshua Rudnick, Deputy City Attorney Nelson Smith, Finance Director Don Cohen, Convention & Visitors Bureau Nick Fidler, Civil Engineer III Geogina Lorenzi, Asst. to the Public Works Director Others present: Paul Ricker, KCSF Tom Martin, KCSP Judy Vaughn, KCSF 2. ADOPT MARCH 30,2009 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Budget and Finance Committee Meeting Tuesday, June 16, 2009 Page 2 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Request for Financial Assistance from the Kern Soccer Park Foundation - Smiley Paul Ricker of Kern County Soccer Foundation (KCSF) provided an overview of the soccer events held at Kern County Soccer Park and its revenue value to the City. KCSF is requesting a grant in the amount of $4.25 million to install additional field lighting and other facility improvements to attract more and larger tournaments to the park. Mr. Ricker provided statistical data to show the potential economic benefit of hotel tax monies to the City. These statistics are based on the assumption of 15 annual tournaments at the facility that would attract participants from other areas seeking lodging and restaurants. Mr. Ricker stated that if they are not able to raise the monies needed, there is a high probability that the park may have to close. City Manager Alan Tandy stated that though the soccer park is a valuable community asset and contributes to the economy, any funding that may become available to the City through non-General Fund sources for recreation facilities should be allocated to facilities within its jurisdiction. Mr. Tandy advised that the City previously provided a sizeable contribution to the soccer facility for lighting and has and will continue to donate the facilities water which is valued at $40-50,000 per year. Mr. Tandy concluded that given the unprecedented financial challenges the City is facing with significant budget reductions and the threat of the State capturing funds, the City is unable to provide the assistance KCSF is requesting. Mr. Tandy also stated the City Council's goal is to construct the Sports Village, which is funded by revenues from neighboring developments for construction. The City may consider partnering with KCSF to use the Sports Village's soccer fields for larger tournaments. Committee member Irma Carson asked if the City acquired the funds, what would be the source of the funding. Mr. Tandy replied that under better circumstances, the funds would be available through Transient Occupancy Tax or the Capital Outlay funds. Mr. Tandy added that in terms of the Economic Stimulus Funds, the federal government did not view park opportunities as a desirable use of Stimulus money. Committee member Ken Weir asked Mr. Ricker if he has been in touch with the County of Kern. Mr. Ricker stated that will be their next step, but the County has not yet returned their calls. Committee member Weir asked if the fees and revenues provided in Mr. Ricker's presentation are restricted funds or general AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Budget and Finance Committee Meeting Tuesday, June 16, 2009 Page 3 funds. Mr. Tandy replied that Transient Occupancy Tax goes into an account that pays for the Convention Center and Arena, rent contribution to the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, the Convention and Visitors Bureau operation, and the balance thereafter flows into the Capital Outlay Fund. Mr. Ricker stated that KCSF is interested in applying for grants but does not have enough knowledge of the process. Mr. Tandy offered the assistance of staff in the Economic and Community Development, and Recreation and Parks departments to assist KCSF with the technical aspects of the grant writing application process, as long as KCSF can identify a source of funding. Committee member Weir requested that if funding for the lighting is received, that KCSF include into their budget shielded indirect light sources. Committee Chair Harold Hanson suggested that KCSF also look into doing some type of fundraising for their cause. B. Acceptance of 2007-08 Transportation Development Act Funds Financial Statements - Rojas Assistant to the Public Works Director Georgina Lorenzi provided an independent auditor's report summarizing fiscal activity for the Bikeway and Pedestrian Fund, and the Public Transit Fund. The audit firm of Brown Armstrong Paulden McCown Starbuck Thornburgh & Keeter Accountancy Corporation issued an unqualified opinion. The report was unanimously accepted by all Committee members. 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee member Irma Carson asked that staff provide status and progress on the request made by Marvin Dean regarding funding. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1 :08:06 P.M. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council S:\Council Committees\2009\Budget and Finance\June\June 16 Agenda Summary.doc