Like many San Diegans, I was pretty interested in the Mayor's Proposal for mid-year budget cuts. Turns out, his plan also includes cuts in Fiscal Year 2011 (note: unlike most people, government budgets go on a "Fiscal Year" that goes from July 1 of one year to June 30 of the next year). I was curious about how some of the Mayor's Proposals would impact North Park so I contacted Pam Ison in Councilmember Gloria's office. Here's the Q & A:
Read the Proposed Budget Amendment Report from the Mayor
(note: the page numbers in parentheses are the pages in the proposed budget where the item I ask about can be found)
1. Does the elimination of the Overtime budget from the Community Services Department impact whether Marlon will continue to be present/assisting the CPG and the Community Plan Update? (pg 14)
A: Should this part of the proposal be approved by Council, CPCI staff representation and support at CPG will be impacted. The exact impacts are to be determined.
2. I think that reorganization of Environmental Services Division truck schedule was recommended by a citizen, which is cool even if it was already on the mayor's to-do list (p 16).
A: Yes, I believe this recommendation was presented during the FY10 San diego Speaks series. Keep in mind this change still required Meet & Confer with the unions. This change may change one's trash pick-up day, but we have been assured that pick-up will still occur once per week.
3. Can you confirm that all palm tree trimming in the City would be eliminated as of January 2010 through the FY 2011 fiscal year? (p 19)
A: If the Mayor’s proposal is accepted by Council, the City would only provide palm tree trimming for hazardous conditions.
4a. Is the reduction of root pruning a complete elimination except for emergencies? (pg 19)
A: Yes.
4b. Do you know if the mayor compared the cost of pruning versus the expected 15% increase in cost to sidewalk repair? (pg 19)
A: I’m sure they did, but that is something that will be investigated during budget deliberations. (update from other office: The 15% increase to sidewalk repairs is a result of including the root pruning in the sidewalk contracts. The cost to repair the concrete remains the same)
5. Elimination of broadleaf tree-trimming. Do you know how to determine how many of these trees are in NP? (p 19)
A: I’ll request a breakdown by zip code.
6. There is a note about the Beverage Vending program monies not staying with Rec Councils any more. Do you know what that impact is on the NP Area Rec Councils? (pg 21)
A: The Area Manager for North Park will have this information. I would guess that it’s less than $1,000. The total savings from this proposed revenue transfer is approximately $40,000 citywide.
7. There is an apparently significant park maintenance reorganization, but it's not clear what that would translate into in terms of service hours for maintenance at NP. Do you know? (p 21)
A: Not at the moment, but this is the kind of stuff we get into during budget deliberations.**
8. What is the impact of the cessation of park turf fertilization program or sports turf maintenance on the Community Park/Montclair Park grass? I just can't tell from the way its worded? (p 22)
A: The Sports Turf Maintenance reduction won’t impact North Park facilities. It will impact: Robb Field, Morley, Penn, Allied Gardens and Lower Lewis. These are the heavily programmed facilities. Regarding the turf fertilization, this will impact all facilities. It means our turf won’t be green.
** For those who may be interested, you can attend the Council's budget deliberations (or watch online or on TV), observe the exchanges, and provide additional comments.