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sr-021009-8a
~~ ~;~Yo, City Council Report Santa Monica ~~,~inr~ City Council Meeting: , ' __y Agenda Item: ~" t"t To: Mayor and City Council From: Carol Swindell, Director of Finance Subject: Five Year Financial Forecast, Public Comment on Budget Priorities Including Comments on Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) Programs and Discussion of Community Priorities for FY2009-10 Budget Development. Recommended Action Staff recommends that City Council: 1) Receive the FY2009-10 through FY2013-2014 Five Year Financial Forecast as background for development of the FY2009-10 budget; 2) Receive public comments on FY2009-10 budget priorities, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) program funds; and 3) Provide staff with direction on Community Priorities to guide the development of the FY2009-10 budget and FY2010-11 budget plan. Executive Summary This report provides an update on the current status of the economy and its potential impact on budget revenues, presents a forecast of revenues and expenditures for the major City funds, and provides an update on community input received during the neighborhood meetings conducted by the City Manager in November and. December. The report requests that Council receive public comment on community budget priorities. and provide direction to staff regarding Council recommendations on budget development for FY2009-10. The economy has been in a recession since December 2007, driven ih large part by the depressed housing market. However, the real deterioration in the economy began in the third quarter of 2008 as credit markets froze, consumer spending and confidence declined, and job losses accelerated. The economic downturn, which now appears to be the worst in decades creates difficulties and challenges in revenue estimating and fiscal planning for the future. The level of uncertainty regarding the length and severity 1 1 b) ZbO~ of the recession is unprecedented. Mindful of these economic challenges, staff has developed three different scenarios for this year's Five Year Financial Forecast. The Baseline Scenario assumptions are .the best estimates of future revenues and expenditures, based on currently available information. The "Worst" Case Scenario projects a more severe downturn, affecting primarily transient occupancy taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes and further assumes that the State will take City revenues in order to correct the structuraldeficit.. The "Best" Case Scenario assumes a more moderate, and shorter, recession and assumes that major tax revenues will return to historical growth rates within one to two years. Expenditure assumptions for the Baseline and "Worst" Case include labor increases of 2.5% in FY2009/10 and 3.5% annually thereafter. These scenarios also assume no increase in supplies and expenses in FY2009/10 and a 3% annual increase, thereafter.. All scenarios assume that the City's contribution to CaIPERS will increase dramatically in FY2010-11, with an increase of 2% of payroll assumed in the "Best" Case, and a 4% increase in the baseline and "Worst" Case. The Five Year Financial Forecast projects that General Fund expenditures will grow at a faster rate than revenues, reversing the trend of the last few years. Under the assumptions in the Baseline Scenario, the City will have a budget deficit of $8.3 million in FY2009-10, growing to $24.3 million in FY2013/14. It is important to note that the Baseline Scenario, for the most part, does not factor in labor costs above the cost-of- living increases, additional positions or other costs related to new programs, or increases in the current level of CIP spending. Costs related to transferring Fire Department dispatch operations in-house have been included in the assumptions, however. Additional growth in programs, enhanced labor benefits, increased funding for deferred maintenance, and the replacement of basic infrastructure will require additional resources. Non-General Fund funds are also briefly presented, and some also show structural imbalances in their forecasts. Along with the prioritization of competing needs for increasingly limited resources, decisions regarding the use of the proposed economic stabilization designation will be required. To begin the prioritization, community priorities have been sought over the past four months from. community meetings, a-mails to budget(a)smgov.net, and comments from City boards and commissions. The majority of comments received to date identified issues of concern as: • Mobility • Public Safety and Violence Prevention Livable Neighborhoods 2 Discussion Economic Update National and State Economies On the national level, the economy is entering its second year of the worst recession. since World War II. The housing market's severe downturn and resulting "credit crunch" have resulted in unprecedented foreclosure activity and is severely hampering economic growth. .The significant decline of the financial and credit markets has impacted most sectors of the economy, frozen world credit markets, and significantly decreased consumer confidence. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the third quarter 2008 showed a 0.5% contraction, and GDP is expected to decrease for two to three more quarters, including a drop of up to 5% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Total 2009 economic growth is projected to be only 1.3%. Housing continues to suffer, with median prices of existing homes sold in November down 13% from a year ago. Further declines are projected for the coming year. The December unemployment rate of 7.2% is the highest level in nearly fifteen .years and is expected to continue to increase. Overall, the economy lost over 2.6 million jobs in 2008, of which 1.9 million were losf in the last four months of the year. Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the economy, has been weakening significantly in recent months. Some national retailers, such as Mervyn's, Linens and Things, and Sharper Image have filed bankruptcy and are currently liquidating their assets. Overall, in the last year, major retailers have closed or announced pending closures of over 5,000 outlets, and one mall trade organization predicts 73,000 retail closures in 2009. Retailers experienced one of the worst holiday shopping seasons in years. The California economy is plagued by many of the same issues confronting the national economy. Unemployment increased to 8.4% in .November, the highest rate in over fourteen years. The housing crisis continues to be the biggest drain on the economy. 3 Median sale prices of existing homes were down approximately 32% in 2008, and a further decrease is expected next year. Growth in state personal income and retail sales over the next 12 to 24 months is expected to be less than in recent years. In addition to housing, the biggest threat to the California economy is the State budget. The State legislature and Governor have not been able to agree on how to solve the current year deficit of $15 billion, and the State could run out of cash by the end of February and begin issuing IOU's. Work on most public works construction projects has been halted. The deficit is projected to reach $45 billion by the end of FY200g/10 without corrective action. Local Economy Historically, Santa Monica has tended to be more resilient than its neighbors in tough economic times due, in large part, to a relatively strong, diversified economy. Unlike many cities, no single source of revenue accounts for more than 15% of total General. Fund revenues. The major five local revenue sources, which include. Property Taxes, Sales Taxes, Utility Users Taxes (UUT), Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) and Business License Taxes, each account for only 9 to 14% of General Fund revenues. The local economy has fallen prey to many of the same challenges faced at the national and state levels. Santa Monica's unemployment rate for November increased to 7.2%, up from 4.3% approximately one year ago. So far, property values in Santa Monica have weathered the storm better than surrounding areas. Recently released data from the Los Angeles County Assessor indicates that total assessed valuation in Santa Monica increased by approximately 10.3% (approximately 9.5% excluding an anomaly) in fiscal year 2008-09, one of the highest increases in the County. However, there. are troubling signs. The number of property transfers in fiscal year 2007-08 was the lowest in at least fifteen years, and fiscal year-to-date transfers are down another 15% from the same period last fiscal year. The number of transfers in December was the lowest in 4 any month in the sixteen years since the City implemented its own real property transfer tax. The most recent sales tax data (3rd quarter 2008), indicate that receipts from auto sales and leases, which account for over 20% of Santa Monica's sales tax revenues, have declined in recent quarters and they are expected to decline further. During the third quarter, sales taxes from six of the seven major tax categories were lower than the prior year. In addition, sales tax revenue will continue to be negatively impacted during the remodel of Santa Monica Place, with an expected reduction of over $1 million during the construction period. Economic activity from tourism fell sharply- last fall, and the global economic slowdown is expected to hinder local tourism .and business travel through most of 2009. The commercial real estate market has remained relatively healthy, but is weakening. While Santa Monica's asking price for Class A office space of $5.82 per square foot remains the highest in the county, it is down from the $6.02 per square foot level seen earlier this year. In addition, the vacancy rate has increased to 11.2%. The state budget crisis has already impacted Santa Monica this fiscal year with a one- time statewide takeaway of approximately $4.3 million in RDA tax increment revenues. In addition, the Governor's line item veto struck out $100 million in STA funds, resulting in decreased funding. to the Big Blue Bus of $3.5 million. While these actions do not affect the General Fund, potential local impacts of the ongoing state budget crisis could increase the RDA takeaways and make them permanent. Additionally, Prop 1A and Prop 42 borrowing of local agency funds by the State is a possibility. The impact of the Prop 1A borrowing is difficult to determine without knowing how the State might structure a borrowing, but it could be $5 to $7 million in General Fund revenues if it were structured like Education Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) III. Likewise, an additional $900,000 in Prop 42 funds and $1.0 million in local public safety funds could be taken. 5 Assuming no further State takeaways this fiscal year, staff believes that the FY2008-09 revenues will end the year approximately $1.9 million less than budgeted, based on revenues received to date. Significant decreases in sales taxes and transient occupancy taxes now appear likely. These decreases will be partially offset by higher than anticipated business license taxes, property taxes, and utility users taxes. However, the prolonged economic slump will lead to less than previously projected revenues in FY2009-10 and future years. Five Year Forecast of Maior Funds Each year, staff projects the status of the City's major funds for the coming five year period, focusing primarily on the General Fund. The projections begin with available fund balances at the end of the prior fiscal year. Staff then updates current revenue received to date (FY2008-09, in this instance) and begins to build a forecast using updated economic information and assumptions about growth rates for both revenues and expenditures. These forecasts set the stage for the development of the .budgets for next year. The assumptions used in preparing the FY2009-10 through FY2013-14 Five Year Forecast reflect a review of information concerning the national, state, regional, and local economies. A number of respected sources of data were used, including the UCLA Graduate School of Management, the Los Angeles, Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), chief economists of several different financial institutions, and various consulting firms. General Fund This year, three scenarios were prepared based on staff's assessment of the economic environmeht. The Baseline scenario provides staff's most likely forecast, while the pessimistic and optimistic scenarios examine the effects of less likely, or less expected, changes in the economic environment. 6 It should be noted that none of these scenarios assumes the use of the $8.2 million economic uncertainty designation that Council is being asked to establish as part of the Mid-year Budget. Assumptions used in the development of these scenarios are contained in Attachment A. Outlook Combining revenue projections with expenditure projections, plus available balance sheet resources, the financial forecast shows a structural deficit in all three scenarios. A structural deficit is defined as a budget where ongoing revenues are not sufficient to cover ongoing expenditures at current service levels. The baseline scenario shows a General Fund structural deficit of $8.3 million beginning in FY2009-10 and growing to $24.3 million in the fifth year of the Forecast. Baseline Scenario c 0 $350 $300 $2so $200 Siso $100 $so So Sources Uses Fiscal Year • Slower revenue growth • Santa Monica Place renovation • Two new hotels • Maintains UUT on telecomm • 3.5% COLA on labor costs after FY09-70 • CPI on Supplies & Expenses • No additional positions except Fire Dispatch The "Worst" Case scenario shows a General Fund structui-al deficit of $2.7 million beginning in the current year (FY2008/09). $6.3 million in State "takeaways" in FY2009/10 contribute to a deficit of $16.4 million in that year. This structural deficit 7 FY08/09 FY09/10 FY10/11 FY11/12 FY12/13 FY13/14 grows to $28.1 million in the fifth year. This forecast is considered a "worst" case scenario, as the Governor's Proposed FY2009/10 State Budget does not at this time include any proposals for transferring revenues from local government. The scenario also assumes that the depth of the recession will have a greater impact on Santa Monica than any economic downturn in decades. "Worst" Case Scenario c 0 O Sources Uses • Recession impact on most revenues • Loss of UUT on telecomm • 3.5% COLA on labor costs after FY09-10 • CPI on Supplies & Expenses The "Best" Case Scenario projects higher revenues in the final four years of the forecast along with lower labor cost projections. In this case, the deficit grows from $8.3 million to $17.4 million in the last year of the forecast: $350 $300 Szso Szoo 51so $ioo Sso So Fiscal Year 8 FY08/09 FY09/30 FY10/11 FY11/12 FY12/13 FY13/14 "Best" Case Scenario H 0 $350 $300 $250 Szoo $iso Sioo $so So Sources FYOS/09 FY09/10 FY10/11 FY11/12 FY12/13 FY13/14 Uses Fiscal Year • No recession impact • Maintenance of UUT on telecomm • Higher Santa Monica Place revenues • 3.5% COLA on labor costs after FY09-10 • CPl on Supplies & Expenses Other Funds Other major funds that are reviewed during the Five Year Forecast fall into. three categories: • Enterprise funds that are. operated to generate sufficient revenues to sustain necessary operation and capital needs o Airport /Special Aviation o Big Blue Bus o Solid Waste o Wastewater o Water • Enterprise funds that require General Fund subsidies in order to meet their operating and capital needs o Cemetery o Civic Auditorium o Pier • Special Revenue Funds where funds are restricted for specific purposes o Beach o Beach House o Housing Authority 9 For these funds, only one baseline scenario was developed. In general, fee revenues are assumed to increase by CPI; water and wastewater rates are based on the Council approved rate increases through FY2012-13 and CPI afterwards; and Solid Waste rates are assumed to be sufficient to keep pace with expenditures. Where funds show a structural deficit, higher fee and rate increases are proposed as alternatives. A summary of the status of individual funds follows. NON-SUBSIDIZED ENTERPRISE FUNDS Airport -The baseline forecast, including the Special Aviation fund, projects a positive fund balance in the forecast period. However, this assumes that $1.7 million in restricted cash could be used for operations during the forecast period. These funds were formerly restricted under an agreement with the FAA. Projected CIP expenditures during the forecast period of FY2009-10 to FY2013- 14 include the basic fleet, computer, and telecommunication expenditures for every year and Runway/Taxiway and Parking Lot Slurry Seal expenditures for the next two years. The fund maintains no operating or capital reserves. Revenues are forecast to keep pace with expenditures in future years, but ongoing legal expenses could cause a negative fund balance, requiring a subsidy or loan from the General Fund. Certain lease contracts, currently below fair market value, are due for renewal in 2015. This should have a positive effect on lease revenues at that time, with available fund balance, the fund will begin repaying loans from the General Fund totaling $9.0 million. Big Blue Bus -Forecasting for the Big Blue Bus provides unique challenges, since funds are not controlled by the City, but are available from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) in the form of grant subsidy funds per a formula share allocation. Annual allocations of funds not spent in the 10 year of allocation are available up to two years later for use by the transit system. The majority of the subsidies available to the BBB, including State Transit Assistance (STA) funds, Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds, and Proposition A and Proposition C funds, are based on sales taxes collected in the County of Los Angeles, and are influenced by the same. economic factors that affect these revenues. For the purposes of this forecast, these funds are increased based on the sales tax growth assumptions from the UCLA Anderson Forecast and modified by Metro forecasts and Big Blue Bus staff assessments. Due to the State budget crisis, the fund has recently lost $4.7 million of the $6.0 million allocated from STA funds. The remaining $1.3 million is at risk, as the State Legislature could eliminate all STA appropriations to local transit systems. The baseline forecast assumes the loss of all STA funds during the forecast period; however, revenues from the recently adopted Measure R will provide $3.5 million in funds in FY2009-10 and approximately $6 million per year, thereafter. The forecast further assumes a 4 percent increase, as a percentage of payroll, in CaIPERS retirement contributions in FY2011-12, with an annual cost of approximately $1 million. As mentioned previously, BBB's structural operating position is threatened by the State's actions. The forecast projects Big Blue Bus can forestall a budget deficit through FY2009-10 with available subsidy funds in prior years. However; without fare increases,. the. forecast shows insufficient revenues to cover expenditures beginning in FY2010-11. BBB anticipates proposing a fare increase to the City Council in FY2009-10. Solid Waste Fund -The baseline forecast for the Solid Waste Fund assumes the status quo transfer station operations and rate increases at a level adequate to fund the annual operations, with a contingency .reserve of $2.8 million. The 11 forecast presents information that does not include the findings of a rate study, which will be undertaken in the next year. The rate study will review the multi- residential, single family and commercial rates and the respective costs of providing these services. The study will also examine the effects of recently approved changes, which include apublic/private partnership between the City and local businesses, created to more efficiently handle transfer and diversion of trash collected within the City. The City issued a request for proposal in November 2008, and staff is in the process of selecting a consultant to conduct this study. The rate study is projected to be completed in summer 2009, at which time staff will present the proposed rate structure to the City Council. Water Fund -The baseline forecast is prepared with the rate increases approved by Council on July 8, 2008, with an operating reserve at 25% of operating budget and a capital reserve at 50% of the capital budget. This fund is projected to maintain a positive balance in each year of the forecast period. The baseline also reflects a reduction of $480,000 in developer fees due to the negative impacts of the current economic climate. The baseline forecast does not consider any impacts of a new Water Master Plan, which is expected to be developed over the next several months: Wastewater Fund -The baseline forecast is prepared with the rate increases approved by Council on July 8, 2008, with an operating reserve of 25% of operating budget and a capital reserve of 50% of capital budget.- The capital relating to Hyperion is set at 16.7% of capital budget. The fund is projected to maintain a positive balance in each year of the forecast period. The baseline forecast also reflects a reduction of $590,000 in revenues associated with slowing construction activity. 12 SUBSIDIZED ENTERPRISE FUNDS Cemetery Fund -Under the baseline scenario, subsidies from the General Fund to the Cemetery Fund are necessary throughout the five year forecast period.. FY2009-10 requires $0.5 million and grows to $1.3 million in FY2013-14. The subsidy grows markedly during the forecast period, primarily due to the depletion of cemetery lots, which are projected to be exhausted in FY2010-11. Mausoleum sales are projected to spike in FY2010-11 when :cemetery lots are depleted, but this trend is expected to slow considerably after FY2010-11, as more desirable spaces are depleted. Over the past two years, staff has pursued several measures to improve the maintenance and operations of the Cemetery.. A Business Plan has been developed and the financial impacts are currently under evaluation. Staff will bring options to Council for consideration prior to the end of the fiscal year. Civic Auditorium -The Civic Auditorium requires an ongoing annual General Fund subsidy of $1.0 million in FY2009-10 and ranges between $1.1 to 1.3 million in FY2010-11 through FY2013-14. This baseline forecast does not include major infrastructure improvements, which would increase the subsidy. Pier Fund -The Pier Fund generates approximately $3.3 million in revenue and currently has operating expenses of $4.6 million. The structural deficit requires a subsidy for the Fund to remain in balance. Any one-time capital improvements approved for the fund will require a subsidy of the same amount from other funding sources. General Fund subsidies are projected at $1.2 in FY2010-11 and will grow to $1.7 in FY2013-14. The baseline forecast does not include other major infrastructure improvements after FY2009-10. 13 Housing Authority Fund -This fund is projected to require a subsidy or loan of $0.1 million in FY2008-09, in order to maintain the same level of service currently provided. Declining Federal subsidies have reduced the funding below the level needed to administer the City's housing programs. The annual subsidies required are $0.2 million in FY2009-10 growing to $0.3 million in FY20013-14. SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS Beach Fund -Incorporating operating .expenditures for the new Annenberg Community Beach House, the Beach Fund will require a subsidy of $1.3 million in FY2011-12. The Beach Fund will not require any subsidy prior to FY2011-12. This subsidy will require funding of $3.7 million by FY2013-14. This forecast further includes the expenditures associated with the new Los Angeles County Lifeguard contract. Financial obligation under this contract increases by approximately 48% over the forecast period, as the City phases in the administrative indirect charges required. The forecast does not include construction of Universally Accessible Playgrounds, Beach Bike Path Improvements, North Beach Playground Equipment Replacement, Permanent Shade Structure at Chess Park, Recycling Containers for Ocean Front Walk, and Resurfacing. of the Basketball Courts at Ocean View Park, all of which could increase the required General Fund subsidy. Each of these funds will be updated and further addressed during the FY2009-10 budget process. Community Priorities Community Outreach for FY2009-10 Budgef Priorities During the months of November and December, five neighborhood meetings were conducted by the City Manager's Office in partnership with the five active neighborhood associations. The meetings, held throughout Santa Monica, were focused on receiving comments from the community regarding their priorities for City programs and services. 14 Comments were received at the neighborhood meetings, both through discussions and on comment cards. Further public input was provided through a-mail to the budget e- mail address (budget@smgov.net) and the City Manager's a-mail address, as well as through conventional postal mail. Community input is summarized in the following paragraphs. Mobility Mobility issues continue to be of major concern among residents. Residents expressed frustration with traffic and described the difficulty of getting around in the City. While acknowledging that longer-term solutions are in progress, residents expressed a need for more immediate actions. Improved enforcement of traffic laws and traffic calming .measure, such as streetscape and striping, were suggested as methods to improve traffic in Santa Monica. Community members agreed that a balanced approach to parking is needed. Many agreed on the need to encourage the use of alternative transportation to help alleviate traffic and decrease parking demands. Public Safety and Violence Prevention Another message was the concern for public safety. Some requested improved communication between the Police Department and residents, increased police presence in neighborhoods, and continued efforts to combat youth violence. Residents were appreciative of the new neighborhood policing strategy and the City's desire to improve partnerships between the community and the Police Department. As the number of bicycle riders increases, community members expressed the need for more innovative ways to ensure bicyclist safety (i.e., bike-only streets, bike pathways along congested streets, improved bike lanes & signage) and 15 enforcement to ensure that bicycle riders are stopping at stop signs and obeying all traffic laws. Livable Neighborhoods Residents expressed their desire that neighborhood improvements be aesthetically pleasing. Many suggested that the City improve crosswalks to increase pedestrian visibility, increase the number of flashing smart crosswalks, increase the length of time provided for pedestrians to clear crosswalks before signal changes, and assess the use of diagonal crosswalks to avoid pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. Some residents expressed a desire for additional bicycle racks throughout the City to respond to .the increased number of bicycle riders and encourage additional bicycle ridership. More detailed summaries of each Community Meeting are included in Attachment C, as well as letters from the City's Commissions and Boards. In addition, public comments, will be received tonight. .Financial Impacts & Budget Actions There is no immediate budget impact as a result of receiving the information provided in this report. Direction provided by City Council based on information in this staff report and public input received during the Council meetings will assist in determining. the direction to be taken in developing the FY2009-10 budget. Prepared by: Chuck McBride, Assistant Director of Finance 16 Approved: Forwarded to Council: Carol Swindell Director of Finance Attachments: A -Five Year Forecast B -Community Priority Update C -Community Comments 17 ATTACHMENT A Five®ear financial Forecast FY2009-10 through FY2013-14 Economic Ucdate National and State Economies On the national level, the economy is entering its second year of the worst recession since World War II. The housing market's severe downturn and resulting "credit crunch" have resulted in unprecedented foreclosure activity and is severely hampering economic growth. The significant decline of the financial and credit markets has impacted most sectors of the economy, frozen world credit markets, and significantly decreased consumer confidence. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the third quarter 2008 showed a 0.5% contraction, and GDP is expected to decrease for two to three more quarters, including a drop of up to 5% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Total 2009 economic growth is projected to be only 1.3%. Housing continues to suffer. Median prices of existing home sales in November were down 13% from a year ago, and further declines are projected for in 2009 before the market bottoms out. The December unemployment rate of 7.2% is the highest level in nearly fifteen years and is expected to continue to increase. Overall, the economy lost over 2.6 million jobs in 2008, including 1.9 million in the last four months of the year. Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the economy, has been weakening significantly in recent months. Some .national retailers, such as Menryn's, Linens and Things, and Sharper Image have filed bankruptcy and are currently liquidating their assets. Overall, in the last year, .major retailers have closed or announced pending closures of over 5,000 outlets, and one mall trade organization predicts 73,000 retail closures in 2009. Retailers experienced one of the worst holiday shopping seasons in years. The California economy is plagued by many of the same issues confronting the national economy: Unemployment increased to 8.4% in November, the highest rate in over fourteen years. The housing crisis continues to be the biggest drain on the economy. Median sale prices of existing homes were down approximately 32% in 2008, and a further decrease is expected next year. Growth in state personal income and retail sales over the next 12 to 24 months are expected to be less than ih recent years. In addition to housing, the biggest threat to the California economy is the. State budget. The State legislature and Governor have not been able to agree on how to solve the current year $15 billion deficit, and the State could run out of cash by the end of February and begin issuing IOU's. Work on most public works construction projects has been halted. The State budget deficit is projected to reach $45 billion by the end of FY2009/10 without corrective action. A-1 Santa Monica Economy Historically, Santa Monica has tended to be more resilient than its neighbors in tough economic times due, in large part, to a relatively strong, diversified economy.. Unlike many cities, no single source of revenue accounts for more than 15% of total General Fund revenues. The major five local revenue sources, which include Property Taxes, Sales Taxes, Utility Users Taxes (UUT), Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) and Business License Taxes, each account for only 9 to 14% of General Fund revenues. However, since many of these tax sources are economy-driven, the local economy is being impacted by many of the same challenges as the state and the nation. The Santa Monica November unemployment rate was up to 7.2%, up from 4.3% approximately one year ago. Property values in Santa Monica have weathered the storm better than other local areas. Recently released data from the Los Angeles County Assessor indicates that total assessed valuation in Santa Monica increased by approximately 10.3% (approximately 9.5% after adjusting for an anomaly) in fiscal year 2008-09, one of the highest increases in the County. However, there are troubling signs. The number of property transfers in fiscal year 2007-08 was the lowest in at least fifteen years, and fiscal year-to-date transfers are down another 15% from the same period last fiscal year. In December, property transfers reached the lowest monthly recorded level in the sixteen years in which the City has had this tax. The most recent sales tax data (3'd quarter 2008) indicates that receipts from auto sales and leases, which. account for over 20% of Santa Monica's sales tax revenues, have declined in recent quarters, and are expected to decline further. During the third quarter, sales taxes from six of the seven major tax categories were lower than the prior year. In addition, sales tax revenue will be negatively impacted during the remodel of Santa Monica Place, with an expected reduction of approximately $1 million during the construction period. Economic activity from tourism has fallen sharply in the fall, and the global economic slowdown is expected to hinder local tourism and business travel through most of 2009, and possibly into 2010. The commercial real estate market also has remained relatively healthy, but is weakening. While September saw Santa Monica's asking price for Class A office space at $5.82 per square foot, the highest in the county, it is down from the $6.02 per square foot level seen earlier in the years. In addition, the vacancy rate has increased to 11.2%. The state budget crisis has already impacted Santa Monica this fiscal year, with a one- time statewide takeaway of approximately $4.3 million in RDA tax increment revenues. In addition, the Governor's line item veto struck out $100 million in STA funds, resulting in decreased funding to the Big Blue Bus of $3.5 million. While these actions do not affect the General Fund, potential local impacts of the ongoing state budget crisis could increase the RDA takeaways and make them permanent. Additionally, Prop 1A and Prop 42 borrowing by the State remains a possibility. The impact of the Prop 1A borrowing is difficult to determine without knowing how the State might structure such a A-2 borrowing, but it could be a one-time shift of $5 to 7 million in General Fund revenues if it were structured- like ERAF III. Likewise, an additional $900,000 in Prop 42 funds and $1 million in local public safety funds could be taken. A-3 Five Year Forecast of Maior Funds Each. year, staff projects the status of the City's major funds for the coming five year period, with a primary focus on the General Fund. The projections begin with available fund balances at the end of last fiscal year (FY2007-08, in this case), update current revenue received to date (FY2008-09), update economic forecast information, project revenue growth; identify expenditure growth assumptions .and project expenditure growth. These forecasts set the stage for the development of the budget for next year. The. assumptions used in preparing the FY2009-10 through 2013-14 five Year Forecast reflect a review of information concerning the national, state, regional, and local economies. A number of respected sources of data were used, including the UCLA Graduate School of Management, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), chief economists of several different financial institutions, and various consulting firms. The volatility of economic data. will require continued review and adjustment as we develop the FY 2009-10 Annul Budget. A-4 General Fund REVENUE PROJECTIONS The baseline forecast assumes. that the recessionary economic conditions at the national and state levels will affect Santa Monica revenues over the next several years. Growth in the major economy-driven tax. revenues, such as sales taxes, business license taxes, and property taxes, are all expected to be below historical trends for the entire forecast period. Tourism, which has traditionally been resilient, is projected to decline in 2009 and both the current hotel occupancy rates and average room rates are expected to decline. The baseline forecast also takes into account certain known impacts including the eighteen month closure of Santa Monica Place and the opening of two small hotels in the City. The recent passage of Santa Monica's Utility Users Tax (UUT) ballot measure serves to stabilize the outlook for this revenue source. The FY2008-09 estimated actual revenues are the starting point for revenue projections for future years. These revenues have been updated to reflect current year-to-date actual receipts. Overall, revenue adjustments in FY2008-09 reflect a decrease of $1.8 million, or 0.7 percent less than budgeted. While first quarter budget adjustments increased General Fund revenues by approximately $0.8 million, mid-term budget corrections reduced revenues by almost $2.7 million. Increases in Business License Taxes, Property Taxes, and Utility User Taxes were more than offset by declines in revenues from Transient Occupancy Tax, Sales Tax, and Real Property Transfer Tax. Details of the revenue changes are presented in the Review of Mid-Year 2008-09 Budget Status staff report, also presented to Council on January 27, 2009. Future years' revenue growth is based on a variety of factors, depending upon the revenue source. The five major General Fund revenue sources are projected for the Baseline Scenario as follows: • Utility Users Tax -Revenues derived from cable television services forecast a stable growth factor of 3% during the forecast period. The telephone portion is increased at 2% per year, reflecting a decrease in hardwire services offset by an increase in wireless services. Taxes from electric utilities are driven by Southern California Edison rates and, due to projected rate increase, are expected to increase significantly from FY2009-10 through FY2011-2012, after which rates will increase at CPI. Natural gas rates, although volatile, are likewise forecast to grow by CPI. Taxes derived from the sale of water and wastewater are forecast to mirror the rate increases recently passed by City Council. The results are the following growth in overall UUT revenues: FY2009-10 - 5.6%, FY2010-11 - 5.3%, FY2011-12 - 3.3%, FY2012-13 - 5.7%, and FY2013-14 - 2.7%. Sales Tax -Revenues are expected to decrease by 5% in FY2009-10, due to the recession's effect on auto sales, consumer goods, fuel and service stations, and building and construction. In FY2010-11, the baseline growth is expected to be A-5 5%, but the overall forecast increase is bolstered to 11.1% because of the reopening of Santa Monica Place: The growth rate in sales taxes slows to 4.7% in FY2011-12 and then flattens to 3.0% in FY2012-13 and FY2013-14. • Property Tax -The forecast assumes that the significant slump in the housing market will affect Santa Monica in the short term, beginning in FY2009/10. The number of property sales has decreased significantly over the last year, and the trend in housing prices has been mixed. However, most economists believe that the housing market decline will not hit bottom until at least mid-2009. and may remain weak into 2010. Also, the slowing economy is beginning to spill over into the commercial real estate market, as office vacancy rates are increasing. Based on this decline, it is anticipated that assessed value growth in Santa Monica will continue, but at slower rates of increase than experienced the last several years. The percentage revenue increase will be less than the assessed valuation increases due to the City share of tax revenues from the Earthquake Recovery Redevelopment Project Area, where the highest rates of growth are anticipated to be frozen at the base year assessed value. Gross secured taxes are expected to increase by 3.5% in FY2009-10, and 4% per year thereafter. Revenues from property taxes other than secured are expected to remain essentially flat over the forecast period, with the exception of statutory .pass-throughs from the Redevelopment Agency, which are projected to grow at a rate commensurate with tax increment growth in the Earthquake Redevelopment Recovery Project Area. Due to the State budget crisis, the potential exists for the State to borrow property taxes from local jurisdictions. • Business License Tax -Slower economic growth in the first. part of the forecast period results in a flat projection for business license takes in FY2009-10. Business license revenues grow 2.7% in FY 2010-11 and then at a baseline rate of 3.7% per year, thereafter, consistent with long-term historical trends. • Transient Occupancy Tax -The global economic recession has begun to impact domestic and international leisure and business travel. Recent years' increases in occupancy rates are starting to reverse and downward pressure on room rates as local hotels. struggle to maintain occupancy levels. Based on information provided by PKF Consulting and the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, FY 2009/10 baseline Transient Occupancy Taxes are projected to be 7.8% lower than the prior year for the first four months of the fiscal year, flat with prior year for the next two months, and then increase by 4% for. the last six months of FY2009/10, as recovery in the industry is expected in 2010. For the remainder of the forecast period, the baseline rate of revenue growth is expected to be 6% in FY 2010/11 and 4% per year thereafter. The increases are almost entirely -due to room rental rate increases. .The forecast also assumes the addition of two new hotels currently in the: planning process and the re-opening of A-6 another hotel that was closed for approximately one year. Revenues can be affected by certain geo-political events as well as world economic conditions. Based do the above, the General Fund revenues grow from $248.3 million in this fiscal year to $295.0 million in the fifth year of the projection (FY2013-2014). The chart below shows growth in total revenues available for operations and capital in the General Fund by year. Other sources of funds, such as the use of designations, are not included. General Fund Revenues Baseline Scenario $300 $250 $200 c -° $150 $100 $50 $0 `All Other i?Fees/Charges ~ Other Taxes ~ Transient Occupancy Tax Business License Tax Property Tax Sales and Use Tax ® Utility Users Tax Fiscal Year The Five Year Financial Forecast also provides two alternative revenue scenarios for Santa Monica. These scenarios include a "Worst" Case alternative that show sharper revenue declines from the recession than the Baseline and the "Best" Case scenarios that reflects higher revenues. Further detail on the difference between the Baseline and "Worst" Case alternatives are detailed below: • Utility Users Tax -Assumes lower rate increases for electricity and natural gas, resulting in revenue decreases of .approximately $0.4 million in FY2009/10 and growing to $1.1 million in FY2013/14. • Property Tax - Assumes a significant impact of the housing downturn on Santa Monica. This scenario assumes annual property tax growth rates will be 2% in the first two years of the forecast, about half of baseline growth. Additionally, the scenario .assumes that the State will borrow $5.4 million under Prop 1A guidelines in FY2009/10 and transfer local public safety funds to the County to help balance the State budget. Decreased revenue from baseline are $1i.7 million in FY2009/10 and $1.7 to $1.8 million annually, thereafter. A-7 FY09/SO FY10/li FY31/12 FY12/13 FY13/14 • Sales Tax -Assumes .lower annual rates of growth in the final four years of the forecast (2% in FY20010/11, 2.5% in FY2011/12, and 3% thereafter). The revenue losses range from $0.9 million in FY2010/11 to $1.2 million in the fifth year. • Parking Facility Tax -Assumes that worsening economic conditions will impact parking activity in the City and lower the growth to 50% of the baseline growth during the forecast period. The revenue losses .range from $0.2 million in FY2008-09 and grow to $0.5 million in the fifth year. • Transient Occupancy Tax -Assumes that the recession will have the greatest negative impact on revenues sirice 9/11. Revenues in 2009 projected to be down 12% from 07/08 levels before recovering to growth rates consistent with the baseline forecast. Compared to the baseline scenario, losses are projected at $2.9 million in the current year, $1.6 million in FY2009/10, and $1.7 million in FY2010/11. Should all the pessimistic assumptions occur, the total loss of revenue over the forecast period (including the current year) would. be $29.7 million. General Fund Revenues "Worst" Case Scenario $300 $250 $200 c -° $150 $100 $SO $0 Fiscal Year All Other Fees/Charges Other Taxes ®Transient Occupanty Tax Business License Tax Property Tax Sales and Use Tax ® Utility Users Tax The "Best" Case Scenario assumes that Santa Monica will not be hit as hard by the current economic instability and primarily reduces the impact of the current economic climate on Santa Monica revenues. This scenario makes modifications to three major revenues sources: • Sales Tax -Assumes sales tax revenues increase at the historical average growth rate of 4.7% from FY2011/12 through the end of the forecast period. The A-8 FY09/10 FY10/11 FYli/12 FY12/13 FY13/14 baseline scenario assumes a 3% growth rate: This increases revenues by $0.6 million in FY2011/12, $1.2 million in FY2012/13, and $1.9 million in FY2013/14. • Property Taxes -Assumes Santa Monica will not be hit hard by the downturn in housing sales and prices. Growth ih secured revenues is set at a rate equal to the average of the last six years, or 4.8% annually. This assumption. increases annual revenues by $0.8 to $0.9 million per year. • Transient Occupancy Tax -Assumes lower rates of decrease in the. first two years of the forecast, resulting in increased annual revenues ranging from $0.3 million in FY 2010/11 to $1:6 million by FY2013/14. These modifications increase General Fund revenues from $1.2 million in FY2009-10 to $4.0 million in FY2013-14. General Fund Revenues "Best" Case Scenario $300 $250 $200 c _° $150 $100 $SO $0 All Other iFees/Charges Other Taxes ~ Transient Occupancy Tax Business License Tax Property Tax Sales and Use Tax ® Utility Users Tax Fiscal Year EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS Primary Cost Escalator- Labor Government is primarily a service industry. .Labor costs, including associated fringe benefits, comprise 74% of the FY2008-09 General Fund operating budget city-wide. Increases in these costs above the growth in revenues has led to an imbalance in ongoing revenues versus ongoing expenditures. Therefore, it is essential control the growth of labor costs, while ensuring that labor rates and fringe benefits offered by the City of Santa Monica .are competitive so that we can continue to draw quality job applicants and ensure retention of existing employees. A-9 FY09/10 FY10/11 FY11/12 FY12/13 FY13/14 General Fund Supplies & Expenses $61.8 M 26% Operating Expenses Salaries & Wages $173.1 M 74% Supplies & Expenses $61.8 M 26% Labor Cost Components Operating Expenses Salaries & Wages $173.1 M 74% Expenditure Scenarios The assumptions used for expenditures. in the various scenarios are detailed in the following paragraphs. The baseline..forecast assumes that the expenses escalate at 2% in FY2009-10 and 3%, thereafter. The cost of living allowance (COLA) is expected to be 2.5% in FY2009-10 and 3.5%, thereafter. The "Worst".Case scenario assumes a lower inflationary environment, which would serve to lower revenue sources, such as fees that are driven by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In other words, the. same economic environment which is detrimental to revenues may, likewise, produce lower expenditures. A-10 Health All Other Insurance Benefits $17.3 $6.1 10% 3% Other expenditure assumptions in the forecasts include: • Medical insurance costs inflated at a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) cap of 12% per year • Retirement costs reflect CaIPERS actuarial estimates for FY2009-10 and FY2010-11. Due to heavy losses incurred by the investment markets in FY2008- 09, PERS projects an increase of 2% to 4% of payroll beginning in FY2011-12. For the "Best" Case revenue scenario, an increase of 2% was used; for the Baseline and "Worst" Case revenue scenarios, an increase of 4% is used. The 4% increase results in an additional CaIPERS retirement. contribution of $5.1 million in FY2011-12. • In general, supplies and expenses are projected to increase at CPL However, the "pessimistic" scenario assumes no growth in CPI for FY2009-10, after which the escalator returns to 3% for the following years. • Capital Improvement expenditures are primarily flat for ongoing expenditures with variations for known internal service fund contributions such as vehicle and computer replacements. Contributions for one-time projects are held flat at $4.0 million per year. • Balance Sheet Transfers assume General Fund loans to subsidize. other funds such as the- Cemetery, Beach and the Housing Authority which is losing federal funding for administration expenses. Transfers to the Pier and Civic funds to support operations are included in the Non-Departmental supply and expense line item in the budget. • Additional FY2008-09 anticipated Mid-Year increases have been added for ongoing costs at $0.6 million per year for Fire Dispatch in-house operations. The following table shows the three expenditure scenarios Baseline, "Worst" Case and "Best" Case: A-11 FY2009-10 through FY2013-14 Five-Year Expenditure Forecast FY09/10 FY10/11 FY11/12 FY12/13 FY13/14 BASELINE COLA. 2.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% Inflation % 2.0% 3.0% 3:0% 3.0% 3.0% Additional PERS 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% Expenditure 2660 W $2687 $288.4..... :$3043 __: $193.,'. Growth 3.3% 10.6% 5.5% . 4.9% "WORST".CASE COLA 2.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% Inflation % 0.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% Additional PERS 4.0% 4.0% 2.0% :: €<penditue€s $259.4 _ :;$268 4 X287 8 . X303 6 X338 ~ a Growth 3.3% 5.5% 5.5% 4.9% "BEST"CASE COLA 2.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% Inflation % 2.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% Additional PERS 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% Expenditure _ X266:0 8268-Z X285 8 =3015 __~3~6 4 Growth 3.3% 6.4% 5.5% 4.9% BUDGETARY EFFECTS With the revenue projections plus available balance sheet resources and .the expenditure projections, the City financial forecast shows a structural deficit in all three scenarios. A structural deficit is defined as a budget where ongoing revenues are not sufficient to cover ongoing expenditures at current service levels. The baseline scenario shows a General Fund deficit beginning ih FY2009-10 of $8.3 million and growing to $24.3millioh in the fifth year of the Forecast. The following table shows the projected fund balance under each scenario: A-12 FY2009-10 through FY2013-14 Five-Year Fund Balance Forecast FY09/10 FY09/10 FY10/11 FY11/12 FY12/13 FY13/14 BASELINE Sources $259.6 $251.7 $263.4 $274.8 $285.8 $295.0 Uses $259.4 $260.0 $268.7 $288.4 $304.3 $319.3 __ Surp[us{4Defc~t~ . _.......: ~U.z - = ~~8:3j .. -. ~$~ ~~ . ..`-_. ($~3 6~ ;` ($IS_5}. . _...: {$24:3} "WORST" CASE Sources $256.7 $243.0 $258.3 $270.8 $281.3 $290.4 Uses $259.4 $259.4 $268.0 $287.8 $303.6 $318.5 Su,rPlus/~-eficrt~ {$x 7) ... . _ . {$~6.?k~ ($9 3} _ ~$1~.D}. ($2~ 3} ={$2$1~ "BEST" CASE Sources $259.6 $251.7 $264.6 $276.8 $288.8 $299.0 Uses $259.4 $260.0 $268.7 $285.5 $301.5 $316.4 s~,r~~uS/~~i~f~c~t~ - ..~c~ ~ t~s~3).....:{5~ ~} {$~ ~},~ . (Srz.~}.. , . t~i~ ~ A-13 Other Funds Airport -The baseline forecast, including the Special Aviation fund, projects a positive fund balance in the forecast period.. However, this assumes that $1.7 million in restricted cash could be used for operations during the forecast period. These funds were formerly restricted under an agreement with the FAA. Projected CIP expenditures during the forecast period of FY2009-10 to FY2013-14 include the basic fleet, computer, and telecommunication expenditures for every year and. Runway/Taxiway and Parking Lot Slurry Seal expenditures for the next two years. The fund maintains no operating or capital reserves. Revenues are forecast to keep pace with expenditures in future years, but ongoing legal expenses could cause a Negative fund balance, requiring a subsidy or loan from the General Fund. Certain lease contracts, currently below fair market value, are due for renewal in 2105. This should have a positive effect on lease rental revenues At that time, with available fund balance, the fund will begin repaying loans from General Fund totaling $9.0 million. Big Blue Bus -Forecasting for the Big Blue Bus provides unique challenges, since funds are not controlled by the City, but are available from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in the form of grant subsidy funds per a formula share allocation. Annual allocations of funds not spent in the year of allocation are available up to two years later for use by the transit system. The majority of the subsidies available to the BBB, including State Transit Assistance (STA) funds, Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds, and Proposition A and Proposition C funds, are based on sales taxes collected in the County of Los Angeles, and are influenced by the same economic factors that affect these revenues. For the purposes of this forecast, these funds are increased-based on the sales tax growth assumptions A-14 gleaned from the UCLA Anderson Forecast and modified by MTA forecasts and Big Blue Bus staff assessments. Due to the State budget crisis, the fund has recently lost $4.7 million of the $6.0 million allocated from State Transit Assistant funds. The remaining $1.3 million is at risk, as the State Legislature could eliminate all STA appropriations to local transit systems. The baseline forecast assumes the loss of all STA funds during the forecast period; however, revenues from the recently adopted Measure R will provide $3.5 million in funds in FY2009-10 and approximately $6 million per year, thereafter.. The forecast further assumes a 4 percent (of payroll) increase in CaIFERS retirement contributions in FY2011-12, with an annual cost of approximately $1 million. As mentioned previously, BBB's structural operating position is threatened by the State's actions. The forecast projects Big Blue Bus can forestall a budget deficit through FY2009-10 with available subsidy funds from prior years. However, without fare increases, the forecast shows insufficient revenues to cover expenditures beginning in FY2010-11. BBB anticipates proposing a fare increase to the City Council in FY2009-10. Solid Waste Fund -The baseline forecast for the Solid Waste Fund assumes the status quo transfer station operations and rate increases at a level adequate to fund the annual operations, with a contingency reserve of $2.8 million. The forecast presents information that does not include the findings of a rate study; which will be undertaken in the next year. The rate study will review the multi-residential, single family and commercial rates and the respective costs of providing these services. The City issued a request for proposal in November 2008, and staff is in the process of selecting a consultant to conduct this study. .The rate study is projected. to be completed in summer 2009, at which time staff will present the proposed rate structure to the City Council. A-15 Water Fund -The baseline forecast is prepared with the rate increases approved by Council on July 8, 2008, with an operating reserve at 25% of operating budget and a capital reserve at 50% of the capital budget. This fund is projected to maintain a positive balance in each year of the forecast period. The baseline also reflects a reduction of $480,000 in developer fees due to the negative impacts of the current economic climate. The baseline forecast does not consider any impacts of a new Water Master Plan, which is expected to be developed over the next several months. Wastewater Fund -The baseline forecast is prepared with the rate increases approved by Council on July 8, 2008, with an operating reserve of 25% of operating budget and a capital reserve of 50% of capital budget. The capital relating to .Hyperion is set at 16.7% of capital budget. The baseline forecast also reflects a reduction of $590,000 in revenues associated with slowing construction related activities. SUBSIDIZED ENTERPRISE FUNDS Cemetery. Fund -Under the baseline scenario, subsidies from the General Fund to the Cemetery Fund are necessary throughout the five year forecast period. FY2009-10 requires $0.5 million and grows to $1.3 millioh in FY2013-14. The subsidy grows significantly during the forecast period, primarily due to the depletion of cemetery lots, which are projected to be exhausted in FY2010-11. Mausoleum sales are projected to spike in FY2010-11 when cemetery lots are depleted, but this trend is expected to slow considerably after FY2010-11, as more desirable spaces are depleted. Over the past two years, staff has pursued several measures to improve the maintenance and operations of the. Cemetery. A draft Business Plan has been developed and the financial impacts are currently under evaluation. Staff will approach Council with the Plan prior to the end of the fiscal. year. A-16 Civic Auditorium -The Civic Auditorium requires an ongoing annual General Fund subsidy of $1:0 million in FY2009-10 and ranges between $1.1 to 1.3 million in FY2010- 11 through FY2013-14. This baseline forecast does not include major infrastructure improvements, which would increase the subsidy. Pier Fund -The Pier Fund generates approximately $3.3 million in revenue and has operating expenses of $4.6 million for FY2008-09. The structural deficit requires a subsidy for the Fund to .remain in balance. Any additional capital improvements approved for the fund will require a subsidy of the-same amount from other funding sources. General Fund subsidies are projected at $1.2 in FY2010-11 and will grow to $1.7 in. FY2013-14. The baseline forecast does not contemplate other major infrastructure improvements after FY2009-10. Housing Authority Fund -This fund is projected to require a subsidy or loan of $0.1 million in FY2008-09, in order to maintain the same level of service currently provided: Declining Federal subsidies have reduced the funding below the level needed to administer the City's housing programs. The annual subsidies required are $0.2 million in FY2009-10 growing to $0.3 million in FY20013-14. SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS Beach Fund -Incorporating operating expenditures for the Annenberg Community Beach House, the Beach Fund will require a subsidy of $1.3 million in FY2011-12. This subsidy will require funding of $3.7 million by FY2013-14. This forecast further includes the expenditures associated with the hew Los Angeles County Lifeguard contract. This financial obligation under this contract increases by approximately 48% over the .forecast period, as the City phases in the administrative indirect charges required. The forecast does not include construction of Universally Accessible Playgrounds; Beach Bike Path Improvements, North Beach Playground Equipment Replacement, Permaneht Shade Structure at Chess Park, Recycling Containers for Ocean Front A-17 Walk, and Resurfacing of the Basketball Courts at Ocean View Park, all of which could increase required General Fund subsidy. A-18 ATTACHMENT B Update on FY2008-09 Community Priorities Departmental Objectives FY2008-09 budget adoption established the Community Priorities Departmental Objectives to be addressed by departments over the current and next few fiscal years. Highlights of accomplishments to date on these objectives include: Special Focus Areas Homelessness • Housing and Economic Development secured 25 new Shelter Plus Care vouchers for homeless. Youth Library identified- several ways to expand the film festival, both in scope and in participation, including additional programming before the festival, focusing on filmmaking and/or careers and the creation of a film festival advisory board made up of interested teenagers. Library discussed two projects for this year - A Reading with Kids program and a Teen Art and Poetry Contest. Teen Council is currently writing up proposals for their programs and plan to present these ideas to the Friends of the Library Group early next year: Library is promoting Sahta Monica College/Virginia Avenue Park Spanish- language story times with library patrons. Community Priorities Culture Library partnered with Santa Monica Film Festival organizers to hold significant portions of the festival at the Main Library in September 2008. Sustainability • Library presented afour-part Sustainable Cinema series. Sustainability-related materials purchased twice-yearly, including titles directly related to programming. • Library held Green Prize for Sustainable Literature awards ceremony on October 4, 2008. • Big Blue Bus purchased ten small alternative fuel buses; delivery anticipated late January 2009. • Office of Sustainability and Environment and Fire established solar photovoltaic ("PV") installation standards to ensure public safety. • Police continued the state programs Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and "Click it or Ticket," with a concentration on DUI enforcement and seat belt safety efforts. B-1 Education ® Library offered the following with translations available for Spanish-speakers: College Preparatory workshop and Parent workshop for Middle School parents. • Worked with. SMMUSD to revise 2008 summer reading lists. Requested and received funds from Kiwanis to purchase titles for 2008 All-SAMOHI reading title. Participating in pilot study to develop outcome-based programs for 2009 Summer Reading Program. Customer Service • Library online tutorials now available on Library homepage. Computer classes in Spanish were conducted at Fairview Brach and Main Library. • Big Blue Bus 80th Anniversary and Bus of the Future programs successfully completed. • Big Blue Bus created special web page, sent E-blasts and direct mailing to 1,357 residences or businesses within 50' of proposed new shelters. B-2 ATTACHMENT C FY2009-10 Budget Planning Community Meeting Input During November and December 2008 the City of Santa Monica conducted a series of community meetings designed to engage the public in dialogue with City staff regarding the Fiscal Year 2009-10 budget. Five community meetings were held between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. in locations throughout the City: 110 community members signed-in during the meetings November 10 Ocean Park Neighborhood held at SMASH/John Muir School (18) November 13 Sunset Park Neighborhood held at Grant Elementary School (27) November 17 Wilshire Montana Neighborhood held at Ken Edwards Center (13) November 24 North of Montana Neighborhood held at Montana Branch Library (22) December 3 Pico Neighborhood held at Virginia Avenue Park (30) The community expressed their concerns and identified the following common areas they would like the City to focus resources: Mobility -improved traffic flow, improved parking, and bicycle and pedestrian safety Livable Neighborhoods -improved neighborhood aesthetics, additional and improved crosswalks, and improved bicycle amenities • Public Safety and Violence Prevention - improved communication betweemPolice and community, balanced Police presence in neighborhoods, enforcement of traffic and bicycle laws especially at intersections, crime prevention, and providing positive alternatives for youth Meeting notes from Community Budget Meeting with Ocean Park Association held at John Muir Elementary School on November 10, 2008 Community Infrastructure • Conduit replacement should coincide with sidewalk repairs or other streetscaping so the sidewalks are not torn up twice • The work on Ocean Park Boulevard should be coordinated with Ocean Park Boulevard redevelopment • Desire for subterranean parking at 4`h Street and Pico Boulevard when the Civic Center area is redeveloped • Eliminate 15 minute parking areas; 30 minute parking should be the minimum timed meter limit • Failing lateral sewer lines are a problem • Need a policy for lateral sewer line replacement Page 1 of 6 C-1 Additional Items • Limiting growth within the City could impact General Fund revenues; need to balance sustainability and revenue for City • Earlier public notification when City issues a demolition permit for historic properties; surrounding neighborhood is only notified when construction permit is applied for and that is too late to comment on demolition of a historic resource Meeting notes from Community Budget Meeting with Friends of Sunset Park held at Grant Elementary School on November 13, 2008 Community Infrastructure • Buses on 16th Street, 20th Street, 28th Street and Bundy generate loud noise from early morning to late night Public Safety • Increased public notice. of Emergency Preparedness: "I Got 7 Campaign" and emergency preparation training • Concern over gang activities, Virginia Avenue Park shootings, broken windows, and graffiti tagging • Improved Police Deparhnent website to access neighborhood real time information • Police Deparhnent needs to balance over aggressiveness and proper enforcement The Environment • Tree canopy in the Sunset Park Neighborhood is too thick Customer Service • The topic of a community workshop should be made clear when it is noticed; many residents were not aware of the Lincoln and Ocean Park redevelopment Friends of Sunset Park Association's Identified Priorities • Traffic, Parking, and Pedestrian Safety • Santa Monica Airport • Crime, Safety, and Street Lighting • Planning and Development • Santa Monica College • Emergency Preparedness + Homelessness • Open Space • Cultural Affairs Meeting notes from Community Budget Meeting with Wilshire-Montana Neighborhood Coalition held at Ken Edwards Center on November 17, 2008 Community Infrastructure • Under the new Land Use and Circulation Element, how many residential units will be added, what will be additional City costs, and what are the traffic impacts • More local community serving. bus service • Bus priority lanes on Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards Page 3 of 6 C-3 • Need for more bus service on 4th Street • Stop sign at 4a' Street and Idaho is working to slow traffic and allow pedestrian crossing Public Safety • Quality of Fire dispatch has diminished and should return to the City • Do traffic calming measures negatively impact emergency response times • Adequacy of Fire Department staffing and funding • Additional installation of automatic defibrillators in public areas throughout City • Desire to see breakout of cost of services among residents, businesses, and outside population • Identify cost of Police services at special events • Need more taxis in the downtown area • Want to see information on burglaries and other Police activity in the area on website or other neighborhood notifications Quality of Life • Need more enforcement of leaf blowing ordinance • Need for "No Smoking" signs in immediate bus stop area The Environment • Would like to see the establishment of a stand alone Tree Commission Additional Items • Desire for public financing of election campaigns to allow for better equality amongst candidates Meeting notes from Community Budget Meeting with North of Montana Association held at Montana Branch Library on November 24, 2008 Community Infrastructure • Add median striping to streets, -like the one on 20th & Pearl Streets and take the same theme to commercial streets too • Need for Preferential Parking in Montana neighborhood • Create a master plan for Preferential Parking for the City Public Safety • Pleased with Police services provided by the Neighborhood Resource Officer for Montana neighborhood Quality of Life • City needs to work on providing senior citizen discount for taxi services in the City • School funding should be a high priority for a community like Santa Monica The Environment • City needs to be more responsive to tree issues; propose a Tree Commission be formed • Tree pruning in specific shapes Page 4 of 6 C-4 Customer Service Want additional red curbs in residential neighborhoods Transportation Management staff needs to improve customer service to public Meeting notes from Community Budget Meeting with Pico Neighborhood Association held at Virginia Avenue Park on December 3, 2008 Community Infrastructure • Virginia Avenue Park green space should not be used for paved parking; it should be kept green space in the event the new library will be located at the park on this space • Do not support new library in Virginia Avenue Park, Bdison School is the best option; do not want to lose the park's open space • The 20th Street and Cloveffield project should not just be about beautification but also a project to protect pedestrians • How a neighborhood uses street corners and intersections and how the block is utilized should be considered in a project's EIR not just the traffic counts' • Desire for permit parking on 17th Street and Pico Boulevard • Desire for speed bumps on 17th and 18th street to slow down traffic • Desire for improved bus service in Pico area • Change vehicle access to Santa Monica Place from Broadway and Colorado which are short blocks and cause backup congestion to 2nd and 4th Streets which are underutilized blocks • Pleased with the tree replacement program in Sunset Park; glad to see the latest trees are more mature which gives then a greater chance of survival • Increase the number of community garden plots; can pocket parks, roof top gardens, and use of vacant lots be utilized • Need more bicycle racks. Public Safety • Public safety concern; do not see Police officers after hours or in the evenings in the Pico neighborhood • Concern about traffic and pedestrian safety; need more blinking crosswalks especially at Kansas and Cloverfield • Blinking crosswalks need to blink upward so the pedestrian can view the lights and know they are blinking • Need more enforcement of people who do not stop for pedestrians at crosswalks • Concern that cars are passing those who are slowing for speed bumps along Cloveffield • BBB drivers need to observe speed limits too; they often speed on Pico Boulevard in the 35 m.p.h. zones • Bicycle safety needs to be promoted for both the bicycle rider and the motorist Quality of Life • Desire for gates on alleys to eliminate cut through traffic and homeless going through trash cans at all hours of the day/night Page 5 of 6 C-5 • Seniors need dedicated transportation options especially for medical appointments to avoid current waiting and delays; also a desire for later hours and evening hours for dial-a-ride • Continued support for school funding The Environment • Desire for Tree Commission as a stand alone committee Additional Items • Frustrated school bond assessments are not assessed by lot size Page 6 of 6 G6 Provide us your feedback and tell us what you want included in the budget priorities for the upcoming FY2009-10 budget. Please complete and return this form at the end of the meeting ar maA it back to us at Gity Manager's Office, 1685 Main Street, Raom 209, Santa Monica, GA 90401. You can aiso email us your feedback at budget SmgoV.net Thank youi /~, ~ ~a N ,~~,~ ~ ~, ~~lJ` 5- ~/ - _ ~j(/f/ / ~ yy! Cam~/? ~ /n7' ~~c., t/ c v~ (iJ`i%~l ~`"` V~ V t T C C- ~ - ~ fr t n ~y ~. ~~ frl,''y~ i~v, ~~ _ ~~~. ~ 5 Vii: li ,~ _ j ~. v ,~..:zv", bilJ,'i~N-r ~y.. ~ii..,Uf (~, A1tu.~~~,x"uo h.,I /'~ IG ~' ~ [i iv~4--d1('U~ef kYC~ 'k~ a1~J, ~,a V,. C-8 Provide us your feedback and tell us what you want included in the budget priorities for the upcoming FY2009-10 budget. Please comp4ete and return this #orm at the end of the meeting or mail it back to. us at City Manager's Office, 1685 Main Street, Room 209, Santa Monica, CA 90401. You.. can also email us your feedback at budget(C7Sm_ oQ V•.net Thank you! _ ,, e s ~ r S.`ti.ff r?n ~p`~'~1 "t f aF•~ 5 a-i/~ 1 ~~ #`~- 3 u ~ ~2z-f ~ t`~~ ~ ~ - P F ., ~'i: ~! ~fA4~L fy-i/~/~ i~Jd 3~4-+ ~.,} d,~J~ E~Oi~/~~t.~ ,~}~.~~~t~Y~"w .~/ f ^~ R (~ ~ ~ ;~` i~ ~, ~ I -~'' ~ ice! ~~ 1 ~~ ~i~~~ ; ~i `~`~ :' -~~ ,~ ~~ ,, t ~. t ~ s ~~. .,//~Y/`:'' ~'q•' .Jj i,r~ y~~~ y ( r > f,..i1~'.~ .j/'~.~y'1 ~) !7-l~! - ~.. U~ .t ~ i .i- u ~ S -~// t~ r ,/ 1 ~~u~j ~~~ix.J./I ~,~E ~ ~~~~~ f l"'( Y~'~l ~fY ~y{~~~r/y~ € I ~P Permits que nosotros sepamos to que ustedes piensan sobre tas prioridades del presupuesto pars el proximo ario FY2009-10:. Favor de completer y devolver esfa fiorma a fines de la reunion, o enviela a City Manager's ©~ce, 1685 -Main Street, Room 209, .Santa Monica, CA 90401. l'ambien la puede enviar por correo electronics a budget ,smg©v.net Gracias! I ~ ~ fJ ,~ ~~-`,':_ r~'(1 „7~ l 1~~. -~Y~t~L;~ !~ _ f~ c' " -r ,~_ ~"~y^ ice' ~``t ~ -- ~ ~j/' i LfL.S __~~'~-~ '-._ f'.S.i._L'.~L?~ _~- b.r ~e5 ~ , ~ ,~, ~d~''J_Ct<~__. ~ ~/z...._ ~ ~~_~:~. ~'~ , ~fi, _._ ~2_... _ <~,_.~_?~~ uU' t1 L .Sr' -- .i7v~t~,-c. ~ _ ~~.._. l~ _ct~ ~ r c~ ft ;,^i C _ ~-S _ ~L,'_-~ ~t ~G.~l~~}...:~--r-•F?---~?fe~__ f~-~-,I_C'.-..._~'."rz`_f'~_~C~_ f~C /~Y ~ ~ i._.5._ ~ ;~i ~_.. t t . ~' t , t ~ _ r - GL' ~- C ' ~ f ~ Cc,~ '. ////c f/~ J ~ ~ _---- i ll n i ~. )) G - City of Santa Monica FY2009-10 Budget Planning Community Meetings Provide us your feedback and tell us what you want included in the budget priorities for the upcoming FY2009-10 budget. . Please complete and return this form at-the end of the meeting or mail it back to us at City Manager's Office, 1685 Main Street, Room 209, Santa Monica, CA 90401. You can also email us your feedback at budget@Smg_OV,rtet Thank yowl _G"L ~ ~.~-{'1 ~t4 " F ~: G{t/i I'E t, 1 ~~j1~ //~..:~ (.'~;`}~ ~:.G`L. k ~~~°E%S td ,,+ ~ „ f ~2 ~° J ~ M1 Jib S ....~~/3/ --C' ° ~"'~~ ' YYY 333 f A pj/ ~/ +v~ ~ff~~r /t ~~/'~~ ,( fI / ~n`/2f/xih~ f~,f~ (jam p l~ /` f(/ ~ f~^ { f~+r~~~ir~%~ ~~i ply- Fl~l!}'^ %E~ ~~l//\~/'„, ~.v,/~, J . ~ ~ J~~ i~ ~j~ t f ~-~. € { ~ ./ ~f.> ~-`-`t-~ __- -z L:~. /. t'C-~. , 1$ ~'~~ '-, 1 ~ X 5' ~ _,+~ ~ , i _ ~ i .!I ge gf C-11 Ciudad de Santa ~®nica Juntas. de Ptaneaje de Presupuesto del la Commur~iidad FY2009-10 Permits que nosoi:ros sepamos to que ustedes piensan sobre las prioridades del presupuesto pars el. proximo ano i=Y2009-10: Favor de completes y devolver esta .forma a .fines de is reunion, o envieia a City Manager's Office, 1685 Main Street, -Room 209, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Tambien la puede enviar por correo elsctronico a budget(a~smgov.net Craciasi November 13, 2008 VIA HAND DELIVERY Lamont Ewell, City Manager and City Staff City of Santa Monica 2008 "Can We Talk" Forum Grant Elementary School Re: Intersection of 20`" & PearlBig Blne Bns Dear Mr. Ewell and City Staff: Attached please fmd a packet regarding the problematic inception of the 4 Big Blue Bus ("BBB"} lines (Crosstown Ride No. 1 I, Sunset Ride, SMC Commuter No. 6, and Evening Bundy Campus Shuttle} and their impact upon 2fls' & Peazl and 1 T" & Pearl within the Sunset Park neighborhood. Your packet includes the following: 1. 3 color photographs depicting an undesignated stop made by the SMC Commuter No. 6 at the intersection of 20'" & Pearl which has proven to be a chronic and consistent problem at this intersection regardless of countless notifications to the BBB; 2. April 10, 2008 letter from a resident addressed to Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Service explaining the neighborhood's concerns and position; 3. August 5, 2448 Memorandum addressed to the Friends of Sunset Park Board Members pravidinga complete and concise description of the situation including bus schedules and maps; and, 4. September 3, 2008 Friends of Sunset Park correspondence addressed to Stephanie Negriff detailing the Boazd's position and its support of the affected neighborhood. The intersections of 20th and Pearl and 17t° and Peazl aze residential neighborhoods. .These intersections aze located between Grant Elementary School, John Adams Middle School and pre-schools. The neighborhood is populated with families, K-12 children, toddlers, pets, seniors, joggers, etc. We aze also located within close proximity to the main campus of Santa Monica College which is why we believe that this area is being singled out to carry such heavy bus traffic With the exceptian o€ the Crosstown Ride Nc, I i, the bus routes primarily serve SMC and were designed in partnership with Marvin Martinez, former SMC Vice President of Planning and Development, and their routes are designed around. SMC main and satellite campuses. The attached will clearly explain why the SMC specific bus routes should be taken out of residential neighborhoods and redesigned to keep them on main arterials such as Pico $oulevard and Ocean Pazk Boulevard. hank you for your ' e, , Laura Thixton 1838 Peazl Street Encfs. - as indicated C-13 Intersection of 20~" R Peal Sl View from the southwest corner N l0, '., .. ~~. { ~h, °i ~ 4 i'. ~"' i Undeslgnated Disembarkment] By BBB, No. 6 Demonstrating Extremely Disruptive to Both Traffic and Nearby Residents With K-12 Kids As Well). Jndesignated Disembarkment I,'i By BBB, No. 6 Demonstrating '~; I `Pedestrians at Rlsk and Extremely pisruptive to Both Traffic and Nearby Residents i, ?fits Re'rsecfibn is inundated ~I'I With K-12 Kitls As Well). ~., ii InlerseCtlon of 201° & Pearl SL View from the southwest wrner ~~: ~ I :~ ~ ' x .. ;; Apri110, 2008 VIA E-MAIL & IT.S. MAIL Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services Dan Dawson, Customer Relations Manager BIG BLUE BU5 223 Broadway SantaManica, CA 90401 lie: Crosstown Ride; Sunset Ride; No. 6 - SMC Commnfer; and Evening Bundy Campus Shuttle Service Dear Ms. Negriff and Mr. Dawson: Thank you for hosting the Apri12008 "eonununity meetings" regarding service of the Big Blue Bus {"BBB"). At the Agril 8°i meeting, I believe you unfairly and unprofessionally characterized the residents {myself included) as "opposers to public transit" once we reiterated our belief that the residential intersections of 20a` and Pearl and 17`x' and Pearl are unduly carrying the burden of Santa Monica College ("SMC"} and the BBB's recent partnership regarding the above- referenced bus routes. It was particularly fruistrating to hear you sfate that yourself, and on behalf of the BBB, has "exhausted" the conversations with the community regarding our legitimate concerns. I disagree. It is our hope that the lines o£ communication between this Sunset Park neighborhood and the BBB remain open so that a resolution for all involved can be discussed. We are in agreement with the 218 SMC students who signed and subsequently presented a petifion, as well as the BBB's stafli that the Sunset Ride route should net be spli#. Although I found it curious as to why only one alternate route was considered; a route that clearly would noT serve SMC nor the community, and absolutely did not address the surrounding residents' concerns regarding the introduction of heavy bus traffic into residential areas. The BBB's "mitigation" effort was, in my opinion, a poor attempt at goosing the real issue. The residents' concerns are that the intersections of 20s' & Pearl and 17a` & Pearl went from having a historic No. 1l route (now known as the "Crosstown Ride - No. 11"} to having four {4) separate bus routes traveling through narrow and neighborhood streets {Crosstown Ride, Sunset Ride, No. 6- SMC Commuter, and the Evening Bundy Campus Shuttle}. There are now 126 daily bus trips traveling through these intersections commencing at 7:00 a.m.-10:10 p.m, lVlonday through Thursday) This is unreasonable, and the residents of these particular Sunset Park streets cannot and should not be forced to accept this created nuisance and diminishment of quality of life. C-17 Stephanie Negriff> Duector of Transit Services Dan Dawson, Customer Relations Manager BIG BLUE BUS April l(}, 240$ Page 2 The BBB was presented with realistic, concise, workable and efficient alternate routes} which would truly serve the conununity and SMC. It is respeoiduIly requested that the BBB prudently and responsibly work with the ctrmmunity (that it serves} and that meaningful conversations commence so that this Sunset Park neighborhood does not bear the burden of btis traffic that should be traveling on main corridors instead of through residential neighborhoods. Please reconsider your staunch position Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Laura Thixtan Christopher Thixton 183$ Pearl St. Santa Monica, CA 94405 nrt cc: Santa Monica City Council Lamont Ewell, City Manager Rriends of Sunset Park C-18 MEMORANDUM ~'p FflSP Board Members FROM LauraThixton DATE August 5, 2008 SUBJECT : Santa tVionica Big B3ue Routes - 20th & Pearlll Th & Pearl/tb"' & Pearl L ISSUE Residential intersection of 20s' & Pearl Street went from having one historical bus line (Crosstown Ride, No. 11 running ai 30-minute inten+ais) to having four separate bus routes (Sunset Ride, SMC Commuter-No. 6, Evening Bundy Campus Shuttle and the newly reschechrled Crosstown, No. i i). The Crosstown, I3o. i i has historically embarlced/disembar[ced at the northwest corner at the intersection of 20th & Pearl Street while traveling southbound only at 30-minute intervals. Thts bus stop is .approximately 4 feet from the Bender residence. and is surrounded by landscape paid for and maintained by Bender. This stop is also in front o€ Bender's apartment residents' entrance gate. With the exception of the Crosstown, No. 11, the routes were designed around SMC's main and satellite campuses, and were specifically designed in partnership with Marvin Martinez, the former SMC Vice President of Plamring and Development. In August 2007 the routes commenced as follows: I. Crosstown Na. I I Monday through Friday, every t 5 minutes: s Schedule: 6:59 a.m. through 1D:I0 p.m. 2. Sunset Ride Monday through Thursday,every`}5-20 minutes. + Schedule: 7:00 a.m. through b:00 p.m. (even= IS rains.) + Friday schedule: 658 a.m. through 628 p.m. (every 20 rains.} This route now disembarked embarked at the intersection of 20th & Pear{ Street while traveling southbound only. This route brought anywhere from IS-50 (+/-) students at one time waiting at the intersection of 20`h c~; Pearl Street morning, noon and ni?ht in extremely close proximity to the C-19 Bender residence, and literally inundating this residential corner with stndents: NOTE: There cvas mention at the last BBB community meeting indicating that the BBB is contemplating extending the service time o€ this route to 10:10 p.m. at the request o€ SNIC students. 3. SNIC Commuter. No. 6 • Monday through Friday, every 30 minutes. • Schedule: 7:10 a.m. through 6:36 p.m. e Friday schedule: 7:10 a.m.throngh 6:02 p.m. Advertised as "Seven buses daily," but when considering roundtrips there are actually 14 trips traveling northbound and southbound. Route utilized the existing bus stop at the intersection of 20`h & Pearl to embark/disembazk riders tivhile traveling southbound. Similar to the Sunset Ride, this route brought anywhere from 15-50 (+1-} students at one time waiting at the. intersection of 20'h & Pearl rimming, noon and night in extreme close proximity to the Bender residence. Additionally, a new disembarkment point was implemented at the southeast corner of 20x' & Pearl Street while traveling northbound. The disembazkment dropped-off approximatelyl0-30 (+/-) students in close proximity to a residential apartment complex. This new stop also removed 5 residential preferential parking spaces Monday through Friday during the hours of 7:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. This stop also blocked traffic ai a four-way stop, and had students walking across the street in and out afthe designated crosswalks iri front of as well as behind the bus. 4. Evening Bundy Shuttle Sen-ice • Monday tlrrough Friday, every 30 minutes. . • Schedule: 5:30 p.m. through 9:50 p.m. Route connects SMC Main campus to Bundy Campus after 5:30 p.m. Another bus ratite that utilizes the embarkment point of 20's & Pearl Street while traveling southbound. *~NOTE: These €our bus lines are in addition to the privately run SiV1C Deer shuttle buses whose schedule remains unknown. C-20 II. CFIANGES COMMENCING 4N FEBRUARY 3, 2008 In Late 2007/early 2008, at the BBB's broad based community meetings residents voiced various concerns regazding diminishment of quality of life, loss of hard fought preferential parking. spaces, created dangerous conditions, speeding buses, trash. noise, dirt. etc. The following changes were made: I . Crosstown, No. I1- No Changes. 2. Sunset Ride - no longer would embark at 2D`~ & Pearl while traveling southbound, but instead would utilize the bus stop located at 20'h & Pico Blvd. located between a gas station ingress/egress and an alley. A mere short block north from the Bender residence. 3. SMC Commuter, No. 6 -would no longer disembark students at 20"' & Pearl, southeast corner, while traveling northbound. Instead, would make a Leff turn onto Pearl Street and disembark students at the back of SMC's main campus near the library. Thereby reinstating the 5 residential permit only parking spots. 4. Evening Bundy Shuttle Service - No Changes. Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services and Dan Dawson, Customer Relations Manager made assurances that a trash can would be placed at the stop at 20°i & Pearl to help mitigate the trash that the Benders now have, and that a cleaning crew would be assigned to clean the stop twice a day. The trash can was placed, but as far as tidying this particular stop twice_a day, to my knowledge, it never occurred. Because 2D'" street is a narracv residential sweet the buses encounter difficulty in attempting to negotiate tams, especially onto Pearl Street from 20"' Street {while traveling northbound} and onto 20'h Street from Ocean Pazk Blvd. (while travel'ng northbound). Often the buses turn into the left turn lanes and rely on opposing traffic to reverse thereby creating more room for the bus to complete its turn. C-21 III. RESIDENTS' DESIRES student body. The caveat is that we fee! that 2©` Street and speoifical y t e mtersec ton of ZO & earl Street is being unfairly singled-out to carry the burden of bus traffic solely because we are located in dose proximity to StY1C's main campus. This amount of bus traffic should be [raveling on main corridors and not through residential neighborhoods. - It shonld also be noted that the intersections of 17'h & Peaz] Street as well as 16`n & Pearl Street are also being imQacted. The residents have been accused by Steghanie Negriff as being "opposers to public transit;" she has told us that the conversations have been exhausted with the community regazding our legitimate concerns, ltas been lass than forthcoming regarding meaningful solutions, absolutely will not entertain alternative routes andfor alternative stops, indicated that shidenis do not tike to walk and therefore the buses are required to travel through the residential neighborhood (at the neighborhood's expense}. The BBS has been supplied with comprehensive realistic alternate routes that would tru serve the community and SMC and would cease this amount of bus traffic traveling through a residentia3 neighborhood daily, but refuses to consider it. This neighborhood is unduly carrying the burden of bus traffic that should be traveling on main arterial routes instead of through residernial streets. V/e cannot. realistieatly be burdened with this amount of bus traffic; it's simply turfair, and encroaches on various branches of our lives in this area of Sunset Pazk: I also understand that the OPP= went through a similar situation w/SMC and the BBB regarding the Beach Lot 5 (which has since been replaced}, and they were met with the same reception. I have attached various maps for your perusal and information. Thanks. (lrt Attach. - as indicated C-22 Cross Town hide -The Crosstown Ride passes through this intersection 52 trips per day. Sources Image: CskobeXplorer B$B: http:/lwmvbi~bkuebus.cam S.~iC: httpJ/www.smcedu/ Line 6 /SMC SMC Evening Commuter -The Line 6 /SMC Commter passes through this intersection 13 trips per day. Bundy Shuttle -The SMC Evening Bundy Shuttle passes through this ia-ttersection 4 trips per day. Per Day 7 am to lfl pm Monday -Thursday Total Bus & Shuttle Trips Through this Intersection Per Day 118 FIGURE Big Blue Bus Routes and SMC Shuttle Service I Through the Intersection of 20`k' and Pearl Streets, "`''~ 7 am - I O pm, Monday -Thursday r C-23 Y.{ ide ~~~ ,~ ~ ~ .~WVy1 M"~ Fi:nM_~~ ~ ~ k~ mw ,; i twaniwMaum 55~ YII s, ~ ~+ so-u SK01~ f.0 [F'it 59b0. sft War iiR i!m. >~etl _ ~j~~pjp(~~ :IB+P Ir 5. tlhti 5l ~"C-~ :1.fl ii ~jM{)T a Ny`j: yQl ~tyj/Ix tit,i. r.t ' YIMk 3 Wa 4,t :a: s.. z., tl tmxx ffi~P •ffi 3 tiiu{p i' ~ a ~ ~-.. irnn. ~ ~f r ~ ~ d ~ £ i 3• ~ ~ 1 # 1~ a z $ot z. c 4 ~ e _ 5 R r~t~ ~~ i irhi u. ~~aue 3 ~ ~ :MYYM~ ~ -1Y0.9mA -: ~N LYiWs4 IiYAi~hFa. Y~itldtnYi ii -- Gia"Ib'fi'a y ~I ,. p~. Intersection of 26th and FearI Streets FIGURE Sunset hide Map Map Source: http:/hvww.bigbluebus.cam Map aot to scale. ~. rI C-24 ~: ~ ~~ pIQPPWM nw ~ IkxPod' ,. Warm ; ~.,..;,..._:,. ' .: h ~ ~ .,.:~.,. Sd A Lftull - !i po~~ UfMF~ ' Sons wwum CWkya:: Ydbee "' 0~ r TWeYYaia; sldf-ala ,~ 1WdN ...I Pi .. ~~ 'ffim ~tntersection of2p'6 and Penrl Streets C: n: v r~~~~E Crosstown Ride Map Map Source: bttp:!/www.bigbinebus.com Map no[ to scale r! , `. 5t~nta Monica ~ail>tge Main t:arnpu5 Santa Monfca CaliEtgit 6u~t/A,irp~r€ mpu ~ Cl~tttitro deb A~, ZCG~B Intersection of 2©t~ and Pearl Streets #tCt~.. ...... ~ao~c .ie~,•,~r~ ! ~~tr Aargr«r9 ~~tsf~ua GtraSStoWn RidB FIGURE ~ Line 6 / SMC Commuter 4 Nlap Source: hnp:lt~vww.bigbluebus.com Vtap not to scale ~~- i' C-26 frrim !le: porn R: ~unrly t:~ :oir.•rarls &~ %fi[4r v~ant to beat Ua~a arvt s+aid kad+inp neariva? 3F4.r the '4u:.,e hk..~•. fi4 41F58rt64T+Ydq fa tfaTr~ trtneen SI~iC eamAasas aM Aa+king tars PfuE you can nde fi w Stc:rart Park Cla+ar Parv. Flrawl PgY, ffie WdtrrCUdrn aM fid 4fkafeFUm Son.~et Rit(c =.unrr;: P.Igr. •FS., Iravrr rvery 15.26 mMOtds +< Sunset Ride Scfiedufe: Monday - Frid , from lath & Pearl to 20th & Montana 'Nhalh~3r yaa'ra 3PHitlrng IutK(Ytimr 41raRpigg an Htantana d~,e ~iaiPnp yaw dattai at St Jahn s. prabb(eg a 6fta vrith a `Natsr Gardaa aa8aapad ar etedyMp rvtlts your lab ywiner ac .PAG tha Crosuvxn Ride {an ¢at you thd[V Cro$StoWn Ride hOUrS Glgrt.: t'rtn IrevrS eV@!y t$ minetga , , Crosstown R'tde Schedule: Monday - .. __, , Sunset and Crosstown Ride Schedules {source: http:i(www.bigbluebus.com/miniblue/index:html) C-27 ~~~~._ ~~._ ~~: ~»r ra ~~~ ~~3t'Y1i11Rr!'~~€' ~ Eftectlv0 F®bruary, 2aO8! E44elivo Febrero~ 2Oa8 Tanta Menita Coitsaa Maln Campu3 +Santa tvionlca Col!®pa ~undyldirperE Gampu3a3 + Palma + Mar Tisza woakday/auranla Ca Samana 7:2i 7Si ?:32 7~2 ?:24 7:54 7J7 8:07 7:St 8d€ &2k .8151_.- 8:22 - $.#..... a:24 _fl~34 ._. (~ 8:37 9:91:... 3 6a ~ -~ S:St _4: 0 3 3 cr it?6 436 Gx87 1x16 4£16 66j8 . la 4r33 6:35 .... s 460 ,~x{.... ! 6102 '~°"y" 6:~ wcakdaylDuraeka U semaru 6ildll:\Rrel.l et!-SKtl1;~~1H1'lill~RF },-_~ ~_ ~ ~ ~ ~~. ~~ ~tS~ e°g4: ~°a . i2r6t 12x66 itii ttt8 !d0 rroa is16 if10 tr64 id3 1e66 "'"~=-"' ltd8 L60 2~9 3015 Ss26 8O1D 3t34__3sa0-_Et~.__tr5~, 3tda 3r60 dii ttd # 5:36 52La Stag Se46 ti,42 • AttynnemnYAdethe3:viC~nunuteerau~o,4ots°anta €datina Caliaae 9tudotel85aiTmaydda at neeen nypnn QPdi2ata6art Ply BR~I€d 6J3GfD Epla Dia 1 fin! SAS nQ4lytnnnyer~ wiineammt pountavElid S:dCIDEOrd e 3b1C8NdanSr9nPr'r~'UVIN'Ertothe9uAktRideentf CroowwnAideat m mer,lbEamat n myn~Fxrtua idol StsiCSmdeerd~a0'nuty QrreEax a tmncfEe • SMG Cnaumrmi'Errs nnrupnr~rc nn aartudRyr. 9rurda», 5MC6rcattrnron dw rdloa~ngin!€dayllSMCCnmmrrEr rmr rioae rorvicioron lox Sabados. Dondstgoe, darenxd de tenxater, ab en Ins diw PESrivar. NawYEarS Doy Moma;al Dcy Caitor Day 'Owviltr.g€vurB Day tLriatsna+D~ 1o6vQeadatee Day Sr~SeYH t N9rIAte'Wd4Mfh'trk d [nM8!+ih{rtMY YMd. Mcada,°fi~r?d~uaNv Line 6 (SMC Cammuter Schedule (source: htip:/lwcvtiv.bigbluebus.corn/E~usroutsslschedule.asp?bus route=b&dayofweek=weekdays} C-28 Santa Monica Coitege -Spring 2008 Evening Sundy Campus Shuttle Service SMC bus does not stop at the Airport Arts Campus Monday -Thursday OnEy ExcBp# HaiFdays February 11 -June 10, 2CQ8 1:eave Bundy ` ~ Arrive. PearE St. i.eave Peart St ~ Arrive.Bandy ~ - ~ -(`;Campus ~ & 17th SL "i:& 17th $#. Campus 530pm ~543pm ~545pm 604pm 605pm ~- ~~ j628pm '620 m , P ;639 m P 640pm _._._ 653pm r__.__. ?655pm ._ p09pm ~715p i728pm --- ~ ---- 742pm -___._..__ ....f754pm -.....__._ ,S5 p ~~~~'- -_E908Pm G910pm ~~ ~ __',922pm ~ ~923pm ;934pm ~935pm l947pm 950pm ~ _,, ,,__ r---` - i1D03pm _.`_- 1005pm -----) ~;SOi7pm Evening Bundy shuttle stop is at 17th and Pearl Street. (DaytEme Bundy shuttle stop is at ZOth and Peart Street.) Schedule subject to rhar~ge. Evening Sundy Campus Shuttle Service Schedule (source: hitp://www.smc.edu/appstpub.asp?Q=1476&B=1) C-29 President Zino Josephs ~~j-}~ j(}"(~l -jam ~ ,,, ~' Vice-President ~ I Y9 .~\\1 ll 'K tl Lorraine Sanchez t A i ,l.l i. t J V - Treaswer John Reynolds Secretary Charles R Donaldson ~y ~~ (~ }j y}\ y(CV ~v~(~ I f9 \} I ! I I \\ I . \ 1 j ~~~~[~' J~~ i _ \ ~. J V ~ 1 ' ~ , J 3 d J .oom • P.Q.Box 5823, Santa Monica, CA 904D9-5823 • (3 t 0) 358-7117 @yahoo sp www.friendsofsunsetpark.org • friendsof September 3, 2008 VIA E-MAIL & U.S. MAIL S#ephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services Dan Dawson, Customer Relations Manager Big Blue Bus 223 $roadway Santa Monica, CA 90401 Re: Crosstown Ride; Sunset Ride; SMC Commuter - No. b; Evening Bundy Campus Shut- tle Services Dear Ms. Negriff and Mr. Dawson: Since August 2007, the Board of Friends of Sunset Park has received various complaints from residents near 20"' & Pearl and 17w & Pearl regarding the negative impact of the above-referenced bus routes. Although a few changes- have been made, the routes continue to create problems. The neighborhood went From having one bus route running at 30-minute intervals to having four routes running at 15-minute intervals Monday through Friday from 6'.59 AM through 10:10 PM This amounts to approximately T 18 to 126 buses northbound and southbound on 20th Street between Pica and Ocean Park Blvd. every day. This has transformed the residential bus stop. at the northwest corner of 20th & Pearl into a "Santa Monica College bus depot." This bus stop went from having only the Crosstown line (at 30-minute intervals) to having the Sunset Ride; SMC Commuter - No. 6; file newly revised Crosstown (IS-minute intervals); and the occasional special BBB/SMC buses. In addition to the overall negative hnpact on the neighborhood, the stop is located about four feet from ono borne. The overall bus noise, idling engines, crowds of students and trash has greatly diminished the quality of life for a family (with a new baby) and its tenants, who've lived at this corner for eight years. 1- C-30 Because 20"' Street is a narrow residential street with parking on both sides, the buses turning from northbound 20"' onto westbound Pearl, and from westbound Ocean Parlc Blvd. onto northbound 20`^, often must ga into the left turn lanes of apposing traffic. At times, an opposing vehicle must backup to create enough room for the bus to turn, a dangerous situation. Our understanding is that these routes (with the exception of the Crosstown Ride) were designed around SMCs main and satellite campuses, in partnership with Marvin Martinez, former SMC Vice President of Planning and Development: We are also advised that your position is that these routes serve the community as weII as SMC. That's only true if a passenger wants to ride to and from SMC's main and satellite campuses. To have the Sunset Ride be truly community-serving, 1C-12 SMMIJSD students should be considered. The route we suggest would still stop in front of SMC on Pico, and one long block from the Pearl Street side of the campus, on Ocean Park Blvd., where many SMC students already catch the No. 8 bus. The suggestion: ® Move the north/south portion of the Sunset Ride from 20`h Street to Lincoln. The route would run west on Ocean Park, north on Lincoln and east on Pico. All the following schools are just one block from this route: Edison, Grant, Will Rogers, Muir, SMASH, JAMS and SaMoHi. The FOSP Board believes that the 118-126 daily BBB trips in question should be left on arterial routes, not residential streets, where they are dangerous, unsuitable and an obvious intrusion on the quality of life for the neighborhood. Please note: Sunset Park residents support public transportation 100 percent, especially when working with SMC to prevent student traffic from traveling through nearby neighborhoods. But the current situation is not a suitable solution. The residents have had to endure this intrusion for over a year now. They have attempted to cooperatively work with the BBB to communicate alternative routes and convey their legitimate concerns of noise, trash, crowds of students, and just how much this amounfof bus traffic has negatively impacted their daily lives. Unfortunately, they have been met with a response from you that the conversations "have been exhausted." This reaction is unac- ceptable as well as irresponsible. The BBB has been and continues to be insensitive to this. area of Sunset Parlc. It is clear that the quality of life for residents in this area is negatively affected by the huge increase in bus traffic this past year. Additionally, the neighborhood has also been exposed to unauthorized stops by buses that, for some reason, have been unable to stop at their designated stops. Specifically, the SMC Commuter - No. 6. You have been advised of this many times via email with attached video evidence. Buses stopping at areas that are not designated as actual bus stops creates a dangerous condition for not only automobile traffic, but pedestrians as weIl, including 2 C-31 students walking to john Adams Middle School, and only serves to compound the above-described disruptions to the lives of nearby residents. In summary, • .The northwest corner of 20s' & Pearl bus stop should be returned to its original rote of stirring only the Crosstown Ride. Stops for the Sunset Ride, SMC Commuter No. 6 and the SMC Evening $undy Shuttle should be moved to main arterials: Ocean. Park andlor Pica. • The Sunset Ride and the SMC Commuter-No 6 routes overlap. The SMC Commu- ter-No 6 should stop traveling on the residential section of 20`" Street between Ocean Park and Pico. This route should be redirected to Ocean Park and/ar Pico. • BBB should consider the aforementioned alternative route for the Sunset Ride so that it wiIl truly serve the community as well as SMC. The Big Blue Bus is a city and wmmunity service, not a service only for SMC's students, faculty and staff. The FOSP Board of Directors would appreciate hearing from you regarding the aforemen- tioned issues by September 13, 2008. If we do not receive a response from you by then, we will bring this matter to our elected officials to try to rectify the situation so that the resi- dents are no longer unfairly burdened. Yours truly, Zino Josephs, President (on behalf of the Board of Directors) Friends of Sunset Park -3- C-32 °°Gan we talk?°' November 13, 2408 . FOSP priorities for the FY 20092014 budget: 1. Transportation management a. Eastbound and southbound traffic congestion in the afternoon; westbound and northbound traffic congestion in the morning. b. Pico Bivd. - congeston near Trader Joe's (33rd), 99-cent store (28th), SMC {20th) c. Ocean Park Bivd. -increased congestion during rush hours since restriping; eastbound traffic still gridlocked in the aftemoan d. Pearl St. and 20th - a dangerous combination of cars, buses, and school children in the AM e. Southbound 23rd filled with idling cars from Dewey back to beyond Pearl St. some afternoons f. Left-turn pockets that aren't tong enough: 1) southbound left-turn pockets on 20th, Cioverfield, and 28th at Pico: 2}westbound left-turn pocket on OPB at 23rd in the afternoon -blocks the only other westbound lane 3} overlapping left-turn pockets on OPB at 18th and 20th 4} no left-turn pockets on the median section of Pica g. Drivers using east-west aCleys to avoid congestion north of Pico near 20th, north of OPB, north of Dewey, etc., using 21st to avoid 23rd h. Fast traffic on Grant St. between 11th & 14th; 26th St. between Pico & Pearl; 33rd St.; 34th St. i. Pedestrian concerns at Pear! & 20th, crossing Ocean Park Blvd. at 16#h and 18th, crossing 23rd south of OPB, crossing Pico at 28#h and 33rd (no traffic ignals between those two intersections}, crossing 11th St. j. Maintain the flashing lights in the "smart crosswalks" on Pico and OPB, and replace the yellow pavement light covers with red or some color that can be seen by drivers in the middle of Yne day. k. Parking issues near Fairview Library; 24th St.; 26th St. near Pica I. More parking enforcement is needed around the college 2. Santa Monica Airport a. Funds allocated to pursue the court case with the FAA so the C and D jet ban can. be implemented, otherwise we9t be'stuck with them flying overhead forever. b. Funds allocated for additional noise monitors around the Airport. c. Funds allocated for air quality studies re the Airport. d. Funds allocated for studies of the residue from unspent jet fuel that fails on homes, playgrounds, and gardens. 3. Public safety a. Gontinue the Neighbofiood Resource Officer program b. Increase funding for neighborhood pat€ols so there are resources available when residents place Calls for Service. c. Continue saturation patrols and increase preventionrntervention programs to reduce youth violence. d. Patrol alleys to reduce theft, burglaries, and vandalism. e. Improve aocess to timely information via www.santamonicapd.org f. Improve s8eet lighting around the college and elsewhere in the neighborhood (Pier, Ashland, CloverFeld) g. Cfreck the street lights on the east end of Pico (23rd to Centinela), re replacement of bulbs and timing (coming on during the day, not on at night) h. Keep the crossing guards at OPB and 16th, Pearl and 20th. i. Return the Fire Dispatch system to local dispatchers who know their way around Santa Monica. a. Development/averdevelopment Thursday, November t3, 2008 AOL: Zino Josephs C-33 Page 2 of 2 ' a. Find a way to maintain the city's fiscal stability without allowing the construction of even more office space in the Special Office District, which will create even more traffic congestion in Sunset Park. b. Purchase sites in the industrial area to provide facilities for a central fire stationleguipmentyord with minimal impacts on residential neighborhods. s. Santa Monica College a. Enforce city noise ordinances and regulations regarding prior notification about construction projects and trucking of construction materials and debris through residential streets (including on the weekends}. b. Do a better job of balancing the needs of residents and students when designing ceilege-serving Big Blue Bus routes and designating college-serving bus stops. ffdoesn't make sense to have dozens of wilege students loitering 4 feet from homes, waiting for buses aA day tong, when the bus routes and bus slaps could be located on arterials such as Pico and Ocean Park Blvd., where SMG students currently use the #7 and the #8. o. Find a way to cap enrollment at SMC unfit the college can mifigate its traffic and parking impacts on SunsetPadc. d. Enforce preferential parking. s. Emergency preparedness a. Continue publicizing the "I've Got 7" campaign. b. Train residents in how to shut off water and gas lines in an earthquake or other emergency. 7. l"1Ot71eleSSneSS -Continue efforts to move homeless people, especially mentaAy ill homeless people off the streets, out of the alleys, and into housing where they. can receive appropriate services. s. Open space a. Increase canopy by allocating funds for more frequent and better quality tree trimming programs (some of the ficus trees become so dense between trimmings that residents-say they have to use lamps at all hours of the day in their homes}, as well as improved tree replacement programs (trees, not bushes). b. include landscape and other buffers between the Santa Monica Airport and adjacent Clover Park and residential areas. s. Cultural Affairs a. Replace the lighting in "The Big Wave," the 1989 public art steel arch that spans Wilshire Btvd. at Franklin S#. b. Help find funding to repair the murals at Olympic High School (Muir Woods, ai Linrroln and OPB) and ZJ Boarding House (Ocean Park tum-of-ihe-century mural at OPB and Main St.) C-34 Thursday, November 13, 2008 AOL: Zino Josephs Page 1 of 2 RE: INTERSECTION OF 24Th & PEARL STREET ISSUE I - to August 2007 went €rom having 1 historic bus route running every 30 minutes #0 4 bus routes running every 10-15 minutes Monday-Friday.: • l~~ndated with Big Blue Bus traffic for the benefif of SMC students/staff; • with the exception of the historic Crosstown, No. 11 no other bus lines should be embarkingldisembarking students near residents' homes and encroaching upon their property; • All pick-up and drop-off points should be moved to main corridors, i.e., Pico Blvd. andlor Ocean Park Boulevard; s SMC Commuter No. 6 should be eliminated from the residential street of 20th Street between Ocean Park Bivd. and Pico Blvd. This route is for the sole purpose of SMC and staff and should not be encroaching in the surrounding neighborhood and engaging in chronic and constan# unauthorized stops. (See attached photographs of Bid Blua Bus No. 6 making an unauthorized disembarkment of SMC students at northeast comer of 20th & Pearl). The following lines were formed in partnership with Marvin Martinez, former Vice President of Planning and Devetopment: 1. Newly revised Crosstown No. 11; 2. Sunset Ride (services SMC main campus and satellite campuses); 3. SMC Commuter No. 6 (solely for SMG students and staff}; and 4. Evening Bundy Campus Shuttle Service (solely for SMC students and staff). The above 4 bus lines now total more than 126 daily bus trips down. the residential street of 20th Street between Pico Blvd. and Ocean Park Bivd, commencing at 6:50 a.m, until 1 D:10 p.m. {See attached resident letter). ISSUE ii -Traffic Congestion s Speeding -both Big Slue Bus and automobile; a 3=point turns that endanger pedestrians; • Drivers not obeying stop signs, not stopping and running stops -again endangering pedestrians; The ahoyi: 3 points occur morning, noon and night. intersection has 90-130 K-i2 kids crossing every day, twice a day; safety and traffic mftigation measures need to be implemented. ISSUE lit -Parking • SMC students illegal use of permit parking passes as well as handicapped placards. Neighborhood around SMC's main campus has preferen6ai parking which 'ss not being obeyed or enforced. e SMC police department is unresponsive to residents' calls as well as understaffed. Parking enforcement as well as aggressive illegal parking abatement measures need to implemented. Additional Concerns: 1. 16th Street and 17th Street -Jahn Adams needs to implement and permanently place a sate drop-off zone for parents. 2. SMC's planned 500-space parking facility. i. Do not aNow e'dher the city alley near 20th and Rico, or from the campus drivewy on Pearl St. just west of 20th (fomredy a one-way driveway), in order to protect nearby residents and pedestdans, especially school children. i1. Move the entrance%xit for the 500-space underground parking from the east side of the building (near residents] to the west side of the building; iii. According to SMC's own documents, this new subterranean parking structure would introduce 2,000 new car Thursday, November 13, 2008 AOL: Zino 7osephs C-35 Page 2 of 2 trips into an already extremely congested area. Traffic mitigafion measures need to be implemented as wetl as. assurance that air quality standards are not being violated. (See attached residenf letter). Thursday, November 13, 2008 AOL: Zino Josephs C-36 Page l of 2 Friends of Sunset Park Can We Talk? November 13, 2008 Concerns listed an 2008 FOSP membership forms: (keeping in mind that most members don't list any concerns on their forms, assuming that we already know what they want) Airport -17T, including the following: Airport noise - 51 Airport safety - 34 Airport pollution - 24 Airport -jets, Large jets, jet ban - 8 Airport - VOC emissions - 2 Airport -jet fuel residue - {2300 block Hilt} - 1 Big Blue Bus - 2 Crimeisafetytgraffiti_-113, including the following: Safety -24 Gangsltagging - 5 Graffiti - 5 Neighborhood safety {murderv'wience,robberies,burglaries} - 4 Crime prevention/Neighborhood Watch - 4 Child safety - 4 Street lighting in neighborhood - 2 Could we get rid of The Manor on Pico and 19th? - 2 Prostitufion -1 Drugs - 1 AlEeys - 1 Education- Quality of local schools -14 Emergency preparedness -16 Fire Department dispatch - 2 Enforcement of city ordinances -leaf blowers {resident awareness about use) - 2 Historic preservation - preventing teardowns of charactedstic>histadc houses - 2 Homelessness - 1 rJ, including the following: Homeless -how to help - 3 Transients - {1700 block Oak alley, 2000 block 14th, 2360 block Cloverneld) - 4 Housing -Affordable housing for single parents -1 Property values -1 Deveiopment/Overdevelopment - 43, including the following: Population density - 3 Monster mansions -1 Losing the small town feel of the neighborhood - 1 Don't allow more condos/apartments in the area - 1 Thursday, November 13, 2008 AOL: Zino Josephs C-37 Page 2 of 2 7 vacant starefronts on Pico east of 28th -1 Open space -10, including the follawing: Ficus trees - 4 Trees - 2 Jacaranda trees (dirty, need replacement) - 2 Not enough parks - 2 Santa Monica College - 29, including the following: SMC - unlimited e~:pansion/never-ending bond measures - 6 SMC -over-running my neighborhood - hundreds of BBB buses now on 20th - 2 SMC - ccilege student parking - 2 SMC -more street lights needed near the college -1 SMC -pollution by SMC - 1 SMC - fraffic -1 Sustainability - $, including the foiiowing: Air pollution - 2 Trash - 2 Water conservation - 1 Pet owners need to pick up after their dogs -1 Traffic -193, including the foiiowing: Traff~e/parking/pedestrian safety - 14 Ocean Park Blvd. traffic congestion - 6 Ocean Park Blvd. -making sure the restriping remains a permanent improvement - 3 Ocean Park Bivd. -traffic signals needed at 16th & 18th - 2 Traffic - especialty eastbound on the main arteries from 4 to 7 on weekdays - 2 Traffic - on 21st, 23rd, OPB -1 Traffic congestion at 28th & Pead -It's non-stop! -1 Is it possible to put left tum lanes on Pico? - 2 Cars speeding down 26th St. - 4 Cut-through traffic in alley (north of Dewey and elsewhere) - 3 More enforcement for traffic viola#ors - 2 Pedestrian safety - {crossing 23rd St. south of OPB; 11th & Bay) - 2 Fast traffic in regard to our children's safety -.{1.300 tilock Grant St.) - Z Traffic mitigations that make driving more difficult - 6 Transportation -not enough fight rail, buses, trains, bicycle lanes - 4 Bike lanes - b'ske safety - 4 Parking issues - 5 Parking -lack of street parking - {Fairview Library, 24th St, 2200 block 26th) - 4 City needs for enforce preferential parking - 3 Lack of permit parking on 25th -1 Boom boxes in autos on 14th St. - 2 Thursday, November 13, 2008 AOL: Zino Josephs C-38 Caline Evans From: kckarchitects@gmail.com on behalf of David Kaplan [dkaplan@kckarchitects.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:17 PM To: Budget Mailbox Cc: zinajosephs@aoLcom Subject: Budget Requests BUDGET REQUESTS: Please include landscape and other buffers between the Santa Monica Airport and adjacent residential uses. Please provide money to have a facilities study of Fire Department and other Facilities groups. There is no such capability at the City and an outside consultant should be used. In addition to a study, to support these departments (Fire, Facilities, etc), purchase sites in the industrial area that can provide facilities activity and central fire station/equipment yard with minimal impacts on residential neighborhoods. Thanks. r C-39 Caline Evans From: mail@winout.smgov.net Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 11:24 AM To: Budget Mailbox Subject: Budget Suggestion Form Submission Name: Eric Rosenthal Address: 1506 10th st. # 203 City:Santa Monica Zip: 90401 HomePhone:(818)521-2948 Bus Phone: Email: eric30202002@yahoo.com Suggestion: Myself and many other apartment residents would like to'recycle aluminum, glass, and plastic but it is not easy for us. I would like to see incentives for Apartment building owners to implement recycling programs. Post Anonymously: False t C-40 Caline Evans From: mail@winout.smgov.net Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 4:51 PM To: Budget Mailbox Subject: Budget Suggestion Form Submission Name: Patricia Stallone Address:P.O.Box 5795 City:Santa Monica Zip: 90409-5795 HomePhone: (310) 399-4321 Bus Phone: (310) 383-7032 Email: patriciastallone@emaiLcom Suggestion: In line with fiscal survival necessary at this time in our country's economy, it is of paramount importance to focus on the survival of and nurturance of those elements of the budget that contribute directly to our survival, our safety and our children's education, none of which can, by definition, wait for economic recovery. In addition, the creation of more jobs, specifically green jobs may be more important at this time than continuing with contracts that do not directly provide jobs for the citizens of the City of Santa Monica. Like Canadian work requirements, ask our outside businesses and developers to hire locally and incentivize them to do so. As our President Elect Barack Obama's priorities, so should the City of Santa Monica Administration. 1. Survival & Safety: -Prepare to protect foreclosure property w/additional resources for police and fire and incentives to banks td put off foreclosures. -Keep fire and police at full ready for natural disaster, terrorist attack and survival thereof. -Keep utilities in check regarding fees, availability and accountability to the residents. There is some nonsense going on. -Spend money on water and sewage; but not pulling up every tree in Santa Monica while we're in a financial crisis, even though iTmay be long term solution. If it does not need to be fixed in the next 3 years, stop it. Priorities are fixing what is breaking. 2. Education I heard education given a very disrespectful reception when Lamont was asked where it would fit in the budget. He said that money would be "layered in" after first monies were allocated. Please re-examine that mentality. 1.It is not in line with keeping families in the area. 2.If we are not competitive educationally, we lose more than the children's minds. We lose the future and increase the aging demographic now in Santa Monica. 3. Jobs Santa Monica would do well to lead the nation along with the federal government in considering itself apro-active participant in the creation of new jobs, using some of the budget from the city to create work, specifically green jobs. I believe that it would also put our City in good standing when the Feds are ready to hand out money to boost the national economy. If the Administration of the pity of Santa Monica would think conservatively and creatively, perhaps we will come out of this projected 3 year recession well on the way to leadership that mirrors the plans on a Federal level. Thank you. C-41 Caline Evans From: Sent: To: Subject: FYI -----Original Message----- Lindsey Haley Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:26 PM Carol Swindell; Dean Kubani; Donna Peter; Tim Jackman; Jim Hone; Lee E. Swain; Joan Akins; P. Lamont Ewell; Gordon Anderson; Elaine Polachek; Kate Vernez; Terese Toomey; Caline Evans; Rachel Waugh; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Herb Katz Fwd; Ken Genser; Kevin McKeown Fwd; Pam OConnor; Pam O'Connor; Richard Bloom Fwd; Robert Holbrook FW: Budget Suggestion Form Submission From: mail@winout.smgov.het [mailto:mail@winout.smgov.net] Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 4:51 PM To: Budget Mailbox Subject: Budget Suggestion Form Submission Name: Patricia Stallone Address: P.O. Bax 5795 City:Santa Monica Zip: 90409-5795 HomePhone: (310) 399-4321 Bus Phone: (310) 383-7032 Email: patriciastallone@email.com Suggestion: In line with fiscal survival necessary at this time in our countrys economy, it is of paramount importance to focus on the survival of and nurturance of those elements of the budget that contribute directly to our survival, our safety and our children's education, none of which can, by definition, wait for economic recovery. In addition, the creation of more jobs, specifically green jobs may be more important at this time than continuing with contracts that do not directly provide jobs for the citizens of the City of Santa Monica. Like Canadian work requirements, ask our outside businesses and developers to hire locally and incentivize them to do so. As our President Elect Barack Obama's priorities, so should the City of Santa Monica Administration. 1. Survival & Safety: -Prepare to protect foreclosure property w/additional resources for police and fire and incentives to banks to put off foreclosures. -Keep fire and police at full ready for natural disaster, terrorist attack and survival thereof. -Keep utilities in check regarding fees, availability and accountability to the, residents. There is some nonsense going on. -Spend money on water and sewage, but not pulling up every tree in Santa Monica while we're in a financial crisis, even though it maybe long term solution. If it does not need to be fixed in the next 3 years, stop it. Priorities are fixing what is breaking.. 2. Education I heard education given a very disrespectful reception when Lamont was asked where it would fit in the budget. He said that money would be "layered in" after first monies were allocated. Please re-examine that mentality. l.lt is not in line with keeping families in the area. C-42 2.If we are not competitive educatidnally, we lose more than the children's minds.. We lose the future and increase the aging demographic now in Santa Monica. 3.Jobs Santa Monica would do well to lead the nation along with the federal government in considering itself apro-active participant in the creation of new jobs, using some of the budget from the city to create work, specifically green jobs. I. believe that it would also put our City in good standing when the Feds are ready to hand out money to boost the national economy. If the Administration of the 4ity of Santa Monica would think conservatively and creatively, perhaps we will come out of this projected 3 year recession well on the way to leadership that mirrors the plans on a Federal level. Thank you. Post Anonymously: False Z C-43 Cal]ne Evans From: Lindsey Haley Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:29 PM To: Donna Peter; P. Lamont Ewell; Gordon Anderson; Elaine Polachek; Kate Vernez; Terese Toomey; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Herb Katz Fwd; Ken Genser; Kevin McKeown Fwd; Pam OConnor; Pam O'Connor; Richard Bloom Fwd; Robert Holbrook Cc: Caline Evans; Rachel Waugh Subject:. FW: Budget Suggestion Form Submission FYI -----Original Message----- From: Lindsey Haley Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:44 PM To: Sandra Santiago Subject: FW: Budget Suggestion Form Submission This was sent in w/o a sender's name. Should 1 still process? -----Original Message----- from: mail@winout:smgov.net [mailto:mail@winout.smgov.net] Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 2:26 PM To: Budget Mailbox Subject: Budget Suggestion Form Submission Name: Address: City: Zip: HomePhone: Bus Phone: Email: Suggestion: ALL city employees should receive health insurance! Post Anonymouslyi False t C-44 Please carriplete and return this fcrrrs at the end of Ehe meeting. or mail if beak fo css at City Managa~'s Office, 'i685 .Main Street,. Raom 209, Santa Manisa, GA 903401. You can alsa email us ya~r feedt~ack at budget@Srnc~c~V.rae$ ThaniC yawl _a-- r Y1 v J , 1 Y ( ( ~ f~ y- k wt ' t / t tom: i. 'i' ~. l). J ~~}r U'`~.S ( ~=t,~1 ~~ ~ ~j ' ~:' t" i ~C~ ~ ~ ~''~ 6~..1~ ,-~,' ~ ~~ t _1 ..--:. /f,~ __ , ,^ // ° ~-- C-45 FY209=`~0 l~udg~t Panning ~emm~~~ l~ee~i~c~s Provide fas yof~r feedbag ar~s~ tell us what you want. ir~clded in tl~e b~[dc~et priorities for tl~e upcoming FY20t19^'10 budget. Please complefe and refurr~ Phis form at the end of the meeting or mai[ it back. to us at pity Manager's ©fflce, '1685 Main Street, Room 2a9, Santa Monica, CA 90401. You can also email us-your 'feedback of budget ~ og_V.fl~t Thank yo~il fve> s~' ~~ x s, _.~-~_ ~"'.. ~ i`~~""~§ ~-~-x" ? ..'plc` i°~ .~.+ [' ~Y ~ # : ,~ ~~ ~' : ~`ri ( ~ R {j pF y-}~ ~; ~:i ~ i~ Imo' F h°'.~i T 1b'~~+-z 2~t-'^~ ~~i`i Tl~ ~~-~ -°~1'~. F+._. Syd~t VF.,. ~,. LY• Y~ Y.~ t4t3ti 4k1. ,. t. ~i.3i~N `l~~ivS -~? ,L3.1~ C-46 From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 2:41 PM To: Bob Trimborn; Jim Nunez; Andy Agle; P. Lamont Ewell; Gordon Anderson; Kate Vernez; Elaine Polachek; Terese Toomey; Caline Evans; Rachel Waugh; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Herb Katz Fwd; Ken Genser; Kevin McKeown Fwd; Pam O'Connor; Richard Bloom Fwd; Robert Holbrook Subject: FW: Budget Requests From: kckarchitects@gmail.com [mailto:kckarchitects@gmail.com] On Behalf Of David Kaplan Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:17 PM To: Budget Mailbox Cc: zinajosephs@aol.com Subject: Budget Requests BUDGET REQUESTS: Please include landscape and other buffers between the Santa Monica Airport and adjacent residential uses. Please provide money to have a facilities study of Fire Department and other Facilities groups. There is no such capability at the City and an outside consultant should be used. In addition to a study, to support these departments (Fire, Facilities, etc), purchase sites in the industrial area that can provide facilities activity and central fire station/equipmentyard with minimal impacts on residential neighborhoods. Thanks. 1 C-47 Caline Evans From: mail@winoutsmgov. net Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 4:16 PM To: Budget Mailbox Subject: Budget Suggestion Form Submission .Name: Ann Raziel Address: 2150 Colorado Ave. City:Santa Monica Zip: 90404 HomeP hone: 310-200-5776 Bus Phone: 310-255-6703 Email: alraziel@aol.com Suggestion: I think the money should go to our schools: The education of our children is a top priority and needs more funds so that these children can compete in a challenging world. Our future depends on it. Thank you. Post Anonymously: False 1 C-48 Caline Evans From: mail@winoutsmgov.net Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 8:08 PM To: Budget Mailbox Subject: Budget Suggestion Form Submission Name: Julie McCue Address: 2267 31st Street #D City:Santa Monica Zip: 90405 HomePhone:310-452-1183 Bus Phone:310-452-1183 Email: julescue@aol.com Suggestion: Education, it is our most valuable resource and investment. Post Anonymously: True t C-49 Caline Evans From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 2:03 PM To: Stephanie Negriff; P. Lamont Ewell; Gordon Anderson; Elaine Polachek; Kate Vernez; Terese Toomey; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; BobbyShriver, Herb Katz Fwd; Ken Genser; Kevin McKeown Fwd; Pam O'Connor; Richard Bloom Fwd; Robert Holbrook Cc: Caline Evans; Rachel Waugh Subject: FW: Budget Priorities #2 FYI From: Alison Kendall [mailto:alison@kendallplanning.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 6:14 PM To: Santa Monica City Manager'sAffice Subject: Budget Priorities #2 Please include funding for Big Blue Bus to do a usersurvey of Santa Monica High school to analyze ways to provide better service to this largely transit dependent population. Despite major fee increases, there have been virtually no service increases for this population, which uses the BBB in rates similar to SMC. Among the unmet needs: providing benches, weather protection and bus information atmajor stops serving Samohi including Fourth Street, 6"' and Pico, Lincoln and Pico, and Olympic near 4~". Providing more convenient transit pass sales, providing adequate bus capacity for after school hours through early evening hours, and expanding Mini Blue service to serve Samohi and Santa Monica neighborhoods. Alison Kendall, AICP KENDALL PLANNING + DESIGN 37 0.586.7 557 phone 370.455.6077 fax Iison(aU)kend a II o I ann ing.com 1 C-50 Caline Evans From: Santa Monica City Managers Office Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 2:07 PM To: Eileen Fogarty; Barbara Stinchfield; Stephanie Negriff; Joan Akins; P. Lamont Ewell; Gordon Anderson; Elaine Polachek; Kate Vernez; Terese Toomey; Tim Jackman; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Herb Katz Fwd; Ken Genser; Kevin McKeown Fwd; Pam O'Connor; Richard Bloom Fwd; Robert Holbrook Cc: Caline Evans; Rachel Waugh Subject: FW: Budget Priorities 2009-2010 FYI From: Alison Kendall [mailto:alison@kendallplanning.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 4:27 PM To: Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Budget Priorities 2009-2010 Please plan to initiate the Safe Routes to Schdol Programs at our middle schools and elementary schools in FY2009-10 or sooner. This program is budget neutral, since it uses the Safe Routes to School Grant awarded to SMMUSD and City of Santa Monica based on a grant application I helped Beth Rolandson prepare. We now have a well established model program for promoting walking, biking and bus use at the high school, and lots of parent and student interest in extending this program to the two middle schools and ultimately the elementary schools. Every parent who drives their child to school Pepresents four trips a day, and a threat to the safety of students who walk and bike to school. Walking and biking to school builds healthy habits and strengthens the school community-let's start this effort today. Please redesign the landscaping and lighting at Douglas Park to address problems which impact neighbors and make the park less safe for users. Current problems include glare from lighting which shines right into the windows of homes surrounding the park, lack of on street shade trees for cars parked along 25~' Street, and a homeless encampment in the dense landscaping near Wilshire and 25'". In addition, water used by the fountain in the oval is completely wasted-it discharges into the gutter on 25"' after one use rather than being reused for landscape irrigation. Alison Kendall, AICP KENDALLPLANNING + DESIGN 310.586.1557 phone 310.455.6077 fax alison(~kendollolannina.com - C-51 From: Santa Monica City Manager's Office Sent: Monday, December O8, 2008 3:17 PM To: Dean Kubani; Barbara Stinchfield; P. Lamont Ewell; Gordon Anderson; Elaine Polachek; Kate Vernez; Terese Toomey; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Bobby Shriver; Herb Katz Fwd; Ken Genser; Kevin McKeown Fwd; Pam O'Connor; Richard_ Bloom Fwd; Robert Holbrook Cc: Caline Evans; Rachel Waugh Subject: FW: Kudos ----Original Message----- From: spats burk (mailto:spataburk@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, December O5, 200812:00 PM To: Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Kudos Hello, We are new residents in Santa Monica and chose to live here for many reasons. Top among them is the quality of government services. Having served on a town legislature, 1 am very impressed with all of SM services thus far. I would like to encourage the banning of plastic bag use and whatever budget and resources are necessary to do so. Secondly, 1 would like to discourage the town from continuing the tradition of holiday manger displays on Ocean Ave. I would be happy to work toward either project. Best wishes, Mary Spats 855 3rd Street #201 SM 90403 C-52 ~_ City of .Sall tit M811~C a"~ library Board Edward Edwards, Chair Ken Blackwell Santa Monica Public library 601 Santa Monica Boulevard Santa Monica, California 90401 P. Lamont. Ewe€I City Manager Dear Lamont, January 9, 2009 The Library Board members have had a chance to discuss the Library and city budget plans far next year and we wish to share our recommendafionswlth you and council. We recognize the economic climate is dynamic and grim, to say the least. That said, we wish to focus on two basic priorities that have broad impact on Library service -facility maintenance and the Library's automation system. Ken Breisch A story we have seen in the media recently is that difficult Gene Oppenheim economic times typically result in heavier library usage. More people are turning to public libraries for free access to books, Dan Stern movies, music, magazines and newspapers, not fo mention the programs for children and adults. This increased use translates into more wear and tear on library facilities. During tough economic times maintenance is often one of the first lines in the budge# to be cut. However, the Board feels strohgly that fhe condition of the Main and Branch libraries must be a priority. Adequate funding for cleaning the facilities and maintaining their various systems is one_ of the foundations of providing excellent service. Even a great staff and wonderful collections and services cannot overcome a dirty, drab facility. The second priority the Library Board wishes to address is the Library's automation system ar Integrated Library System (1LS). The iLS includes the online catalog, patron database, circulation records, acquisition system and more. Included in the budget plan for 2009-2010 is an allocation of $300,000 in capital improvement funds to replace the existing system, Sirsi. That system is more than ten years old and suffers from being based upon an out-of- datedatabase system and limited support and development. If is time to update this software, allowing staff to improve internal processesand enhance the online experience for Library patrons. C-53 C~ 100% RFCYCLED PAPER tel: 310 458-8600 . fax; 310 394-8957 Santa Monica residents have consistently demonstrated the value they place on quality library service. The ongoing study o€ passible locations for a new library in the Pico Neighborhood reinforces this fac# once again. As we begin the fourth year of use of the Main Library it is important to recognize the need to maintain what we have and support the core services people have come to expect. We appreciate the support you and the City Council have shown for Library service over the years and request your considerafion of these Board priorities. Sincerely, ~~ Edward Edwards, Chair Santa Monica Public Library Board C-54 CuNaral Affairs Oivisian 7437 4e Sheet, Suife 310 r.o. Box azoo _ Santa Monica, California 90407-2200 Ci;y Ot Snntn t47onira`~ Date: January 7, 2009 To: Mr. P. Lamont Ewel#, City Manager The Members of the Santa Monica City Council Re: City Budget Priori#ies Santa Monica Arts Commission Suchi Branfrnan,'Chair Donna Sternberg, Vice Chair Hares Beck Fred Dewey - MayaEmsden As~ka Hisa . - Rebecca Jewell Holbrook ` Linda Jassim Raehei Lachowicz Walter John Meyer Michael Robert Myers Romy Ann Phiifips - Jan VJiRamson Thank you for the opportunity to provide input regarding the community's cultural priorities as part of the budget planning process. We would like to express our appreciation for the City's investment in Santa Monica's creative sector and your ongoing commitment to supporting the cu[tural life of Santa Monica We urge fhe City to make sure that the FY 2009-10 budget contains the resources needed to sustain the current level of support for and investment in the creative sector, in keeping with the implementa#ion of community priorities as specified in the adopted cultural plan. Sincere}y, Suchi Branfman Chairperson Santa Monica Arts Commission C-55