Layoffs, Sports Park Shutdown Called Options to Close I.B. Budget Gap

Council hears staff, union and resident advice amid possible shortfall of $1.5 million over two years.

• By Albert Fulcher
• Email the author
• 1:55 pm

Hoping to avoid layoffs and a possible shutdown of the new Sports Park, city leaders Wednesday night discussed ways to close a budget gap of at least $777,000 over the next two years.

City Manager Gary Brown asked council members to seek new ways to cut costs and raise revenues ahead of the July 1 start of the fiscal year.

Brown said staff is looking at minimum deficits of $327,000 for fiscal 2012 and $450,000 for fiscal 2013—but indicated those amounts could double if things don’t work out with public safety negotiations.

“Like most governments, a big chunk of our expenses in the range of 70 to 80 percent are in staff,” Brown told the council.

Besides layoffs, he said money-saving options include offering incentives for early retirement or separation and eliminating or reducing staff positions performing redevelopment functions.

Mayor Jim Janney said he said he could not support layoffs at this time. He called the budget goal is a hard target to hit, because it keeps changing and tough decisions are necessary.

“I would support the idea of coming up with an incentive program to see if there are members of the staff that would be willing to move on,” Janney said.

Imperial Beach residents and a local union rep opposed the prospect of pink slips.

David Garcias, president of the Service Employees International Union, encouraged the council to look at some of these costs as smart business people.

He said a large share of the council audience were Sports Park employees concerned about losing their jobs. Garcias urged the council to review fee structures of other cities and look at doing the same in Imperial Beach without eliminating the current structure.

“Sports Park plays a vital role in the community to the kids in the community,” Garcias said. “Shutting it down would cause worse problems than it would solve.”

I.B. resident Stephanie Kinnamon said she is proud of how the council turned the city’s image around, but said closing the budget gap on the “backs of children and seniors is appalling.”

“You do not want to obliterate your community and make it less desirable,” she said. “There are lots of ways to make up these funds, and looking at your list you have plenty of good ideas to make up these losses of funds in the short-term.”

Councilman Ed Spriggs said rather than cutting expenses by whole departments staff needs to talk with all constituents with a specific monetary goal in mind.

“Leave to the people that know the programs the best to do it, and see what their recommendations are,” he said.

Janney said he believed that agenda items seemed misrepresented and the ideas behind staff’s recommendations were not necessarily an all-or-nothing decision.

With Councilwoman Lorie Bragg absent, the council agreed to delay talks on long-term solutions to the April 20 meeting.  (Other options are listed in attached PDF from staff report to the council.)

After two hours of discussion and several recommendations from council members, the council directed staff to examine the following proposals.

• Offer early retirement/separation packages for city employees and continue negotiations with city safety services
• Work with all Park and Recreation services with a predetermined cut in expenses and seeing what each program can do to reach that goal.
• Negotiate with Little League officials to take back maintenance of the ball park and possibly charging fees for out-of-town users.
• Continue negotiations to take part in the Big Bay Boom 2012 countywide Fourth of July fireworks but not eliminate the city’s pier portion of the event.
• Look at the possibility of controlling vacation rentals on Seacoast Drive in a designated area, increasing Transient Occupancy Tax revenues.
• Increase parking enforcement, and study the feasibility of adding parking meters.
• Sell advertising space on lifeguard towers, ball field fences and other city facilities.
• Look at temporarily suspending the public relations contract and revamping its long-term goals.
• Hire an agency to boost collection of parking ticket fines.
• Offer city staff the option of taking additional furlough days throughout the year.

City Manager Brown said council’s recommendations his rough estimates of savings is $230,000 to $375,000 and staff will come back to council after reviewing with latest figures and new recommendations.

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/layoffs-sports-park-shutdown-called-options-to-close-i-b-budget-gap

Imperial Beach City Employees Agree to Cuts in Benefits, Firefighters Negotiations Continue

 

Imperial Beach Community Development Department Director Greg Wade

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/imperial-beach-city-employees-agree-to-cuts-in-benefits-firefighters-negotiations-continue

Imperial Beach City Employees Agree to Cuts in Benefits, Firefighters Negotiations Continue

An agreement between the city and city employees saves thousands of dollars, while keeping people employed and the city running.

• By Albert Fulcher
• Email the author
• August 9, 2011

The city of Imperial Beach entered into a two-year agreement with its employees represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 221 at their Aug. 3 City Council meeting.

City Manager Gary Brown said the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) saves the city $70,000 during its term and if conditions are kept in the future could save $1 million in the next five years.

Mayor Jim Janney said compared to benefits and compensations received by employees at other state municipalities, Imperial Beach stepped up to the plate in hard financial times.

“The fact that the folks who work here realize that we are strapped for money,” Janney said. “I think they have stepped up and probably done far more than what every other city seems to be beating their chest with what they’ve done.”

Janney said it was not just the signed agreements that make the city employees stand out from the rest, but the little things employees always do in putting the health of the city first.

“Our folks have been doing it for a while and they will continually do it. I think they really care about Imperial Beach and they want us to keep going,” he said.

No updates or information was provided in current negotiations between the city of Imperial Beach and the Imperial Beach Firefighters Association who receive large pension benefits.

Addressed in the MOU are stipends, retirement and health benefits, vacation, sick leave and holidays for 48 city employees. There are no cost of living or salary adjustments during the term of the MOU.

Tom Clark, the city’s Public Safety Department director and fire chief said current full-time non-safety employees immediately begin to pay the full eight percent of annual pay into their retirement plan. With the current MOU it is an additional six percent of their salary.

Based on the employee’s salary (a 26 payroll period) the city will pay a stipend worth three percent of their salary.

Employee’s pay will be reduced by two percent each pay period with this MOU and stipends will help off-set the burden of taking on greater cost in retirement and health costs.

“It is important to understand that this is a benefit that is not PERSable (whether or not the wages count towards our salary for purposes of calculating retirement),” Clark said. “It is a one-time pot of money to help offset the immediate decrease in employee paychecks.”

Additional terms in the MOU include the establishment of an Insurance Committee to review health issues and insurance options, clarification of “Hours of Work” and “Holiday and Vacation Benefits,” and an agreement that” no strikes, sympathy strikes, slowdowns, sickouts on concerted stoppage of work” during the term of the MOU.

Retroactive to July 1, 2011, full-time miscellaneous employees receive a three percent stipend and a second 2.5 percent stipend on July 1, 2012.

Full-time lifeguards will receive a 5.5 percent stipend and a 9.5 percent stipend in 2012.

All employees hired after July 1, 2011 and part-time employees receive no stipends in this agreement.

Miscellaneous employees hired prior to the MOU pay the entire employee portion of California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) contribution. Lifeguards will gradually shift into full payment of retirement contributions, paying 4.5 percent in 2011 and the entire portion effective July 1, 2012.

CalPERS formula for miscellaneous employees is two percent at age 60 and two percent at age 50 for lifeguard employees using the average of the employee’s highest three-year salary. All employees hired after July 1, 2011 will pay the entire employee portion of CalPERS contribution.

For hires prior to July 1, the city will pay $30 towards an employee’s health insurance coverage and other benefits with an additional $30 increase in 2012.

Current employees that elect non-coverage under the city’s health plan can cash out a maximum of $795 per month, taxable income and effective January 2012 a maximum of $400.

Employees hired after July 1 may cash out a maximum of $150 per month. All employees electing non-coverage under the city’s health plan must provide proof of current medical and dental insurance.

An accrual of sick leave for employees cap wil be reduced from 1000 to 800 hours.

Employees hired before the MOU will receive payment for accrued sick leave more than 800 hours, with no more cash payments for sick leave accrual more than 800 hours. New employees are unable to receive cash payment or compensation for accrued sick leave.

Issuance of uniforms and a $250 yearly stipend for cleaning and maintenance in the agreement give fire inspectors three pairs of pants, shirts and one jacket.

In a two-year MOU between the city’s department heads, mid-management, confidential employees and the lifeguard captain agreed to similar terms.

With the exception of the lifeguard captain that pays 4.5 percent of the employee portion of CalPERS contribution, all other department heads, mid-management and confidential employees will pay the full employee portion effective July 1, 2011.

CalPERS formulas are set for new department heads, mid-management and confidential employees hired after the effective date and will pay entire employee retirement contributions and unable to convert sick leave to service credit.

A 5.5 percent stipend is slated for the lifeguard captain with all others receiving a three percent stipend effective July 1, 2011. The city increases its cost towards health insurance by $30 in 2011.

This does not include the head the Imperial Beach Fire Department and Public Safety Department director, as the city continues to negotiate terms with the Imperial Beach Firefighters Association.

 

 

City Employee Benefits, $150K Skate Park Fence on Council Agenda

 

Imperial Beach City Manager Gary Brown and Mayor Jim Janney.

http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/city-employees-benefits-150k-skate-park-fence-sand-replenishment-at-wednesdays-city-council-meeting

City Employee Benefits, $150K Skate Park Fence on Council Agenda

Veterans Park History Walk, the Eco Bikeroute, Bikeway Village and other redevelopment projects are up for review as the City Council seeks to pass an ordinance on new redevelopment agency terms.

• By Albert Fulcher
• Email the author
• 12:39pm

The City Council will discuss city employee benefits, seek additional funds for a sand replenishment project, and consider major changes for the Imperial Beach Sports Park and Recreation Center’s skate park at its 6 p.m. meeting Wednesday, Aug. 3.

There will also be an update on a Veterans Park History Walk project and a progress report on several redevelopment agency projects as the council votes on an ordinance to participate in California’s new redevelopment agency plan.

Regarding employee benefits, City Manager Gary Brown is recommending the city enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and the city’s Miscellaneous Classified Service/Service Employees International Union Local 221, CTW, CLC.

The 2009-11 MOU expired June 30. After negotiations, the tentative agreement includes proposals on yearly stipends for full-time employees, retirement benefits, health insurance, hours of work, part-time employee retirement, holiday and vacation benefits and accrual of sick leave policies. This is agenda item 2.3.

A resolution for pay and benefit changes for department heads, mid-management and confidential employees is agenda item 2.6.

Bids are in for the Sports Park and Recreation Center Skate Park perimeter fence, with Harris Steel Fence Company presenting the lowest qualified bid at $131,420. Total estimated cost on design, construction and administration is $155,000. Monies for this project, transferred to the city’s general fund through a cooperative agreement with the Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency, will fund the fence. Staff recommends adoption of the resolution—agenda item 6.4—and to approve a purchase order with the Harris Steel Fence Company.

New skate park rules and regulations come before the council after numerous complaints from neighboring residents. With a perimeter fence to be completed by the end of the year, a change in hours of operation, allowing Razor scooter usage for skaters younger than 16, enforcement of rules, a community-based rewards and recognition system and community involvement are up for discussion. This is agenda item 6.3.

With the federally funded sand replenishment project between the Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard on hold due to a lack of federal funding, council is considering a resolution that requests a transfer of funds from the California Coastal Commission’s Beach Sand Replenishment/Mitigation Fund administered by SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments).

Transfer of this money to the Regional Beach Sand Project (RBSP) II, expected to begin April 2012, allows up to 2,291 cubic yards of additional sand, bringing total cubic yards of sand to the current project up to 650,000. Staff recommends requesting the use of all available funds in the California Coastal Commission’s Beach Sand Replenishment/Mitigation Fund for SANDAG’s Regional Beach Sand Project II. This is agenda item 2.4.

After a first reading at the July 20 council meeting, council will cast a final vote on an ordinance for the city of Imperial Beach to participate in the Alternative Voluntary Redevelopment Program, subject to certain conditions and reservations. With the California Redevelopment Association and theLeague of California Cities filing lawsuits challenging new rules for redevelopment agencies, City Attorney Jennifer Lyon added the following language to the ordinance: “The City reserves all rights to withhold any remittance payments in the event that a court issues a stay to suspend and/or prohibit enforcement of any provisions of AB 26 and AB27.” This is agenda item 4.1.

The Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency annual update and project report from the 2009-10 fiscal year to be presented includes the following projects.

• Ninth and Palm redevelopment project
• Facade improvement program
• Community Development Block Grants (recovery, energy efficiency)
• Business Improvement District and Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
• Palm/SR75
• Seacoast Drive and Old Palm Avenue banner program
• Port of San Diego urban tree projects (Marina Vista Center and Dahlia Street End)
• Seacoast Inn
• American Legion mixed-use affordable housing project
• Clean & Green Program

This is agenda item 6.2.

Staff is returning to council with plans for the Veterans Park History Walk design with a maximum of 10 concrete bands in the walkway displaying unique historical events in Imperial Beach and the region. The map of History Walk is on page 126 of the agenda packet. Staff recommendations to council are to receive the report and presentation of sign images and provide staff direction on signage historical text and for city staff to return with final design before awarding the contract or purchase order for this project. Maximum cost allowance for this project is $20,000. This is agenda item 6.5.

Review of 13th Street right-of-way proposals including bike path, sidewalk, traveled way and parking for a yet-to-be-built Bikeway Village. This is agenda item 6.1.

Street Improvements of Imperial Beach’s Bicycle Transportation Plan (BTP) and the Eco Bikeroute include a striping plan for a class 3 bicycle route on Seacoast Drive from Palm Avenue to Imperial Beach Boulevard and Palm Avenue from Third Street to Seacoast Drive. Added cost is less than $5,000. Total cost of the Street Improvements RDA Phase 3B puts the estimates at $2 million. Staff recommendations are to receive the report, discuss pros and cons, and direct staff to add the Eco Bikeway striping to the Phase 3B project or defer to a future project. This is agenda item 6.6.

The city’s fire inspector determined cooking hoods used by the Imperial Beach Little League and Imperial Beach Girl’s Softball are not suitable for use. Cost of new cooking hoods at the park for serving foods during events is $8,700. All maintenance and repair costs rest with the two leagues. This is agenda item 2.5.

Council will also approve the city’s expenses from July 14 to July 22 in the Warrant Register.

• San Diego County Sheriff’s services, $453,081.34.
• City payroll ending July 14, $182,554.77.
• Total $1,059,930.51.

This is agenda item 2.2.