Finance Highlights 2009 0317 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Committee Recommendation Committee recommended taking to Council for approval. 2. Continued Discussion Regarding General Fund Preliminary Budget 2009-2010 Hollister and Carter provided a summary of previous discussions regarding the General Fund Preliminary Budget for fiscal year 2009-2010. Carter began with review of Public Works 15% reductions which include: elimination of 5.45 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions within the Traffic, Street, Park, Building, and Equipment Maintenance Divisions. As a result of the elimination of positions, services such as graffiti removal, traffic signal and street light maintenance, curb and gutter repair will be delayed. Public Works Director Bakaldin stated that staff is working on implementing "Stepping Stones" program where cleaning of the downtown area will be supplemented by the clients. Mayor Santos stated that there is money within the President's stimulus package that would provide funds to programs for the purpose of hiring students for summer jobs. Hollister stated this it is his understanding the youth employment services will be streamlined through existing youth agencies throughout the county. Recreation and Human Services Director Kriudtson stated that she did some research but still has questions and was able to find two specific programs that qualify for the stimulus money. Those two programs are: Youth Build, which is used to hire youths to build projects in the city and the Youth Offenders program, which is to transition youth offenders into work. Knudtson suggested that the County or an organization such as Davis Street Resource Center that has the experience, oversee the program. Mayor Santos referred Knudtson to the Governor's office for assistance and clarification and stated the importance of providing teens with temporary/summer employment. Hollister and Knudtson stated that it is important to partner with the County or another organization as the City of San Leandro is unable to financially take on another social responsibility however they will continue to look into providing such programs. Carter provided an overview of Recreation and Human Services Department's 15% reduction including FTE reductions of 11.56, which are currently all vacant. Many programs will be reduced in areas such as the Youth Employment Program, while other programs face elimination, e.g. Flag Day, Admission's Day, Veteran's Day promotions, as well as the elimination of the Cherry Festival. Also affected would be the aquatics program with the closure of Farrelly Pool for one season. Knudtson stated that she has always budgeted and planned for cost recovery for maximum participants. Mayor Santos passed out a letter from Federick A. Reicker, Chairman, Library-Historical Commission, regarding the closure of the Marina-Mulford and South branch libraries. Councilmember Prola also expressed his opposition to the closure of these two libraries. He asked Director Bohne and staff to try and find other areas within the department to come up with the 15%. Mayor Santos expressed the same wishes and also asked staff to try and save youth programs as well. Hollister reminded the Committee that if a program is restored, the money must come from somewhere else to match the 15% reduction. Hollister stated that the City would only increase deficits for future years and unfortunately we are not finished with cuts that must be made to assist with the $4 million gap. Mayor Santos asked staff to look to see if the $196,000 of CDBG funds that we will be receiving can be used for youth programs. Director Knudtson informed the Committee that last fiscal year, $12,000 was used for youth subsidy and $9,000 is what has been expensed this year due to the San Leandro Unified School District 2