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Home My WebLink About2008-11-20 PRC MINSCity of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Coinmissicin Minutes Thursday - 6:3)0 p.m. November 20, 2008 Civic Center Bldg 300 Cnf Rin B 129 276 Fourth Avenue Meeting called to order by Chair Garza at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: Buck Martin, Director of Recreation /Nature. Center Jack Griffin, Director of Public Works Tim Farmer, Recreation Supervisor II Ted Nelson, Recreation Specialist David DiDonato, Nature Center Guests: . Steve Alanis, 2934 Degen Dr. Bonita, CA 91902 1. Roll Call/Motion to Excuse Members Present: Commissioner Scott, Commissioner Vogel, Commissioner Rios, Commissioner Cien- Mayer, Commissioner Garza Members Absent: Commissioner Chambers, Searles MSC (Vogel /Cien - Mayer) to excuse Commissioner Chambers and Searles from tonight's meeting 2. a. Approval of Minutes of July 17, 2008 - MSC: Cien- Mayer /Garza to approve minutes Vote: 5 -0 -0 -2 with Chambers /Searles absent b. Approval of Minutes of October 16, 2008 - MSC: Searles /Vogel to approve minutes Vote: 5 -0 -0 -2 with Cien -Mayer and Chambers absent 3. a. City of Chula Vista Status on current budget - -- Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation and Nature Center) discussed the current budgetary status of the City and of the Recreation and Nature Center Department. Mr. Martin made note of the current state of economy in the City, County, State and United States. Mr. Martin covered budget discussion points: • Decrement list was developed for the department; • Core- services were prioritized throughout the department and city -wide; • The Department continues to meet community recreational, health and wellness needs; • Supplies and Services from the budget have been diminished considerably throughout the department and city -wide; Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting —Noveuzber 20, 2008 0 80%o[ i is payroll; w Everything that the Recreation Doportmen does from this point related N reductions cutting bnto reducing service levels and reducing opportunities for revenue. * The Department ia faced with the next-round of a:dditional cuts of eliminating another S500K worth n[ staff, • The [}opudmcu1 is currently faced with closing the Chula Vista Nature • The Nature Center isu very important facility because it's a health and wellness venue for the community; however, it doesn't produce the revenue that imrequired k` keep itopen; • As far as omro-uorrioco are concerned and prioritizing ' core-services tor the City, the Nature Center ionot at the top o[the list; • The bargaining units in the city don't fleel that this facility is anoro-soo/xco facility, and discussed that "Feeding birds and animals" iu not u priority when employees are at the brink nfbeing let go from ; In addition, they ±bc| that the [aodi is costly 10 keep open; and feel this im not o core-service facility; • CM December 4m the Department will inform Council how the department prioritized its ooro-xt[vioos; • kio the ��o[�eDcpu�n�1�co�o� the Na��Cc��b�wiD have to figure out how to operate it differently; • The Department's budget-cuts are Z3%o[ the current budget; • During the last budget-cut process, the department's budget was cut by 161/(); • The City Council was briefed on Monday, November |7bySanDu�and County o[S.D Assessor's Office; • The City Council also received uFinuncio] Status Update no October 2|, 2008 from Office of Budget and Analysis and the Finance Director; the employees were also given this [inonciu\status • Buck briefly discussed the Financial Status presentation of October 2 1 ", which includes: 896 reserve (council policv); Sales Tax Comparison 00 vs. 07; State Bud�ctTokeovvuys;[YO8-O9p jeotodE�udgc1ary(]npoF$b.3nni}|ioodoUuzs; Update to FY 09-10 florecast budgetary gap in$\9.l million dollars; • Aao[ November >o` the Fl/O9'lV budgetary gap had increased to$20million dollars because of-the reassessment of property values; • Mr. Griffin (Director of Public Works) also noted that the Assessors []fficc oc�c� a2Y� reduction inr�uo�csuodpropcdyYa\uea� discussion held on Pro] ` property values that have dropped; Prop 13, etc.; • Mr. []cihio noted that the SR- |25 has helped a bit in tax revenue; • There are currently 44 vacant positions in the City; • }1o`v is the City going to correct the budget obnd-faUu/d8ocrcpuooios? Mr. Martin noted that changes in services will take place; • Variable in the budget is dependent oil the b argaining- units and the Memorandum n[Undomtundin�(M10O) between the City and the di�ercn1bargaining units; • If pay-increases go fbdb as o1u1cd in the K4[}lJu then this would bc detrimental \o the City and its eiriployees because lay-off's will be imminent in addition to reduced services, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — November 20, 2008 3 • If pay- increases are not paid -out, then the lay -offs won't be as deep; • Mid- managers, Senior managers and executives are already aware that they won't be receiving a Cost -of- Living increase; • As of the morning of November 20 "', it was announced that higher level of budget cuts were required; • The Department eliminated the Adult Athletics Coordinator and eliminated a level of Senior Management; • The Department is now faced, as stated before, eliminating the Nature Center (S8.5 Million); • The next items on the list of elimination from the budget is Therapeutics (Adaptive SportslInclusionary); Middle Schools Program and Mobile Recreation Program (hopefully the YMCA can take the MS program) and closing Parkway Pool; • By closing Parkway Pool; supervisory staff would be consolidated and integrated with Loam Verde Pool, with the lowest ranking Pool Manager being let go; • The next item on the budget cut -list is closing Parkway Gym and reducing hours of operation Parkway Center. Parkway Gym has been open for 54- years; • Parkway facility was chosen because of core- services, revenue generation and funding other department programs; Parkway Pool produces more revenue (this is due to the Pool Manager); however PW Pool is smaller; • Both pools have been refurbished recently over the past couple of years and the net cost of keeping PW Pool open is $90K per fiscal year (after revenue); • Cost of keeping Nature Center open per fiscal year is $677K; legal liability is currently being researched by the City Attorney's office (due to grants received), • There is a potential for additional administrative cuts in the Recreation Department (in management); • Parkway Recreation Gym cost $70K and Pool is $90K; • Mr. Griffin noted that these items would be presented to the City Council at the Budget Workshop of December 4`" and encouraged the commission to attend; • Mr. Martin noted that there are no easy choices with the budget cuts being presented and falls on the shoulders of future pay- increases scheduled in '2009 and '2010; • Public Safety takes up 2i3 of eity budget; • Participation from the public is greatly needed to ascertain services needed; • Revenues generated by the Nature Center are through admissions, bookstore, and educational services (CVESD). Total funds received for the Nature Center is S300K (Port of SD, Fish & Wildlife, etc.). • Children from the Chula Vista Elementary School District participate in the science educational component that is taught at the Nature Center (a science teacher from the school district is on -site for this program); • Shifting the animals from the Nature Center to other facilities would also be costly; • Mr. Griffin noted that he hasn't talked individually with staff due to Civil Service Guidelines about who exactly would be laid -off and bumped out of a position as a result of department budget cuts; Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — November 20, 2008 4 • Park Ranger program is on the budget cut -list which means that those people that rent picnic shelters would be responsible for posting their own reservation sign; • Nlr. Griffin also infornied the Commission that during these budget times, it would be difficult to justify keeping part -time staff and letting -go frill -time staff; • As a result of budget cuts the Strategic Plan for Public Works that is in place will no longer be a viable document as staffing and services offered are no longer available; • Mr. Griffin explained that during the budget process, all vacant positions are terminated first from the budget; • Mr. Griffin noted that the goal of the City was to inform affected staff by .lanuary 2009 with a lay -off date of either March I" or April 1'`; • Mr. Griffin also noted that the City is considering another "early - retirement" which would save a lot of layoffs. Also noted is that positions being cut from the Public Works budget are positions that he would never consider deleting from the budget; Commissioner Vogel asked about budget cuts made within the last two years besides the cuts being proposed to the Parkway Facility (affecting that immediate community). Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation & Nature Center) responded that the immediate community is considered a two -mile radius of the facility. The Chula Vista Youth Center located on L Street was closed the last budget process, in addition, to reducing part-time hourly budget to about $1.3 million dollars and with the retirement of 3 staff. Mr. Martin further noted that hours of operation have been reduced at all recreation facilities. Mr. Martin also added that the Recreation Department has to be managed similar to a business and identify which facilities brings -in the revenue which keeps programs going. Commissioner Scott noted that she would be willing to talk with Mr. Martin with regards to writing /submitting a grant for the Nature Center to promote health and wellness (visiting this facility brings down the stress level of its visitors). Commissioner Cien -Mayer noted that one of the saddest things is that many Chula Vista residents are unaware that the Nature Center exists. Commissioner Garza inquired about the animals at the Nature Center and what happens to them if the Nature Center is closed down. Mr. Martin responded that the animals would be relocated to other facilities which would be costly and those animals that could not be relocated would have to be euthanized. 4. Unfinished Business — None 5. New Business — None Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — November 20, 2008 5 6. Written Communications — None 7. Commission Comments Commissioner Vogel noted that the SDG &E Park has no restrooms for park users and girls soccer leagues, and also inquired about the status of the concern that was raised by the visitor that attended the last commission meeting (regarding Friendship Park). Mr. Martin responded that is very costly to build a restroom at a park. With regards to the Friendship Park inquiry; the visitor was put in contact with the Police Department and they were able to assist him. Mr. Martin also noted that the division in the police department that handles situations in parks, etc. could be deleted from the budget. Commissioner Vogel inquired about calls placed to the Police Department regarding park disturbances. Mr. Martin stated that he would follow -up with the Police Department and would provide information at the next meeting. Commissioner Garza inquired about the on -line field information. Mr. Griffin responded that staff is currently working on developing that information. 8. Staff Comments — a. Recreation Monthly Report (Buck Martin) — Mr. Martin reviewed the department's monthly report. b. Public Works (Jack Griffin) - None 9. Public Comments 10. Other Meeting Adjournment to the regularly scheduled meeting of January 15, 2009 Prepared /Submitted: ��1