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DRAFT MINUTES <br /> Page 9 <br />May 18, 2009 <br />City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting <br /> <br /> <br />Councilmember Souza stated that she would like to see the amount budgeted for the dog <br />park increased from $50,000 to a more reasonable figure. She commented that she <br />would also like to see improvements made at Siempre Verde Park, and would like to see <br />what could be done to keep Farrelly Pool open. Councilmember Souza stated that some <br />of the funds transferred from the Self Insurance Fund for library services could instead <br />be used to keep Farrelly Pool open. She remarked that the fee for entry to the San <br />Leandro Family Aquatics Center was increased to $5, and the demand is still high. <br /> <br />Mayor Santos commented that there are residents who feel just as strongly about <br />keeping the Mulford-Marina Branch Library open as those who are advocating for <br />Farrelly Pool, and that the Council will need to balance the cuts as best they can. <br /> <br />Councilmember Gregory inquired about the revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal <br />year. Mr. Carter reported that sales tax revenues continue to erode, and the projections <br />are trending downward. He stated that the Council should prepare for staff to return <br />with further budget reductions in the next fiscal year. <br /> <br />Vice Mayor Starosciak commented that the budget situation is worsening, and that the <br />situation could be even worse next year. <br />suggestion for using the $250,000 from the Self Insurance Fund for both library services <br />and Farrelly Pool. <br /> <br />Mayor Santos cautioned the Council about any further drawdown of the Self Insurance <br />Fund, as the funds are needed to pay claims against the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Reed noted that residents are used to a certain level of amenities and <br />service, and the protests to keep the services are to be expected. She requested more <br />detail about possible future revenue measures. Councilmember Reed expressed concern <br />that residents may not understand that the restoration of certain services, such as library <br />services, may only be temporary, and that they may have to be eliminated in the next <br />budget cycle. <br /> <br />Mr. Hollister indicated that staff is working with the Chamber of Commerce and the <br />Rental Homeowners Association to consider various revenue measures, including a <br />lighting and landscape district, which could generate about $5 million. Mr. Hollister <br />noted that even this amount would not restore revenues and staffing to their previous <br />levels, and would not preserve all the amenities that the community has come to enjoy <br />and expect. <br /> <br />Councilmember Souza stated that the City needs to look more closely at the services it <br />provides, and see if there are ways to trim services rather than eliminate them. <br /> <br />Public Comments on Item 10.A.: <br /> <br />Stephen Cassidy, San Leandro resident <br />, addressed the City Council, expressing <br />-time funding for <br /> <br />