From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Approval Request
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 11:18:59 AM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
Councilors, The streets slated for work in the next year does not include several key streets to the west of I-5. If you have driven on Bay Marina Dr., 24th Street, 18th and 19th Streets, Cleveland, Haffley, and Tidelands you would know that it is a bad idea to neglect the needed repairs there. We will see more degradation this winter, and increased risks to drivers, cyclists, and peds, as well as increased costs to maintain with bandages now, and major work later.
Please include these streets.
for List of Projects that will Receive Funding from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account through the Local Streets and Roads Funding Program as Required by Senate Bill 1. in Regular City Council Meeting 6/4/2024 6:00:00 PM
Please log into eSCRIBE to review the submitted comment(s).
Item 9.6
From: Noel Meza, Jr.
To: Public Comment
Date: Monday, June 3, 2024 4:57:50 PM
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Renova Properties, LLC is the owner of the parcels located on M Avenue.
The amount of the assessments are portested and disputed for the following reasons:
1. Owner did complete abatement on certain parcels and provided photos.
2. Owner's contractor met with a gentleman named Mike on site.
3. The amounts of assessment are exorbitant.
4. The amount does not properly or ethically reflect fair market costs of abatement.
5. How does the city select their abatement contractor?
6. Is the contractor selection based upon competitive bid?
7. How long has this contractor been awarded abatement work by the city?
8. Is a RFP submitted on an annual basis for an abatement contract?
9. Is the contractor required to pay their employees a prevailing wage?
10. What are the liability and workmans comp policy numbers of the contractor?
11. The contractor does not have a State Contractor License number.
12. There are thresholds to legally determine if the contractor is an "authorized representative" of the city.
13. Does the contractor pay any money to the city?
Cordially,
Noel Meza, Jr.
Renova Properties, LLC
Virus-free.www.avast.com
Item 11.1
From: Paul Wapnowski
To: Public Comment
Subject: Item 12.2 Reg City Council Meeting 6/4
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 8:54:05 AM
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Good evening. As you consider approving the budget, I would urge you to think about whether or not Community Services is getting the attention it needs. Departments are quick to request the addition of middle management with the expectation that there will likely be no opposition. The hard conversations really should be centered around how department wants may be creating neglect elsewhere. How many positions remain unfilled that could enhance spaces and experiences for NC residents? Where has the hard push for after-school programs gone? Outside of a few third party led classes, what is the plan to bring back dance and music classes to residents? Infrastructure nightmares and public spaces in disarray seem to be the norm, even in relatively new spaces like Paradise Creek. Is council and the mayor along with city staff having robust debate about staffing necessity across the board? Also, residents need more transparency in the process. Bring back a dedicated budget workshop after work hours. Maybe there should be a budget commission to give the residents a real voice in the process.
Thanks,
Paul Wapnowski
City Resident
Item 12.2
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Approval Request
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 2:09:33 PM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
Please look for an email from me that provides my comments for the FY25 Budget. Thank you. Ted G.
for Resolution of the City Council of the City of National City Adopting a Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 in Regular City Council Meeting 6/4/2024 6:00:00 PM Please log into eSCRIBE to review the submitted comment(s).
Item 12.2
From: Ted Godshalk
To: Public Comment
Subject: Public comment for item 12.2 from Mr. Ted Godshalk Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 1:37:55 PM
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Public comment for item 12.2 from Mr. Ted Godshalk:
Council and Mayor,
This year’s budget presentation has lacked some details that previous budgets have included for study by you and by the public. Look closely at revenues tracked from year to year. Think about how forecasts have been “wrong” when you look at “Actuals.” The previous City Manager included a “Budget Message,” that acted as an Executive Summary for you and us.
You should probably go back and read it to see how we got to this place. If you need to study details of past years’ budgets you can find them at:
https://www.nationalcityca.gov/government/finance/budgets.
This year, there is a large increase in staffing costs for “front of the house” personnel in this proposed budget. With the forecast of a decrease in sales tax revenue and the inability to budget with a grant as generous as the ARPA funding, you would be wise to look carefully at all new positions. You need to avoid spending more than you bring in.
These executive positions shown on the City Manager’s attachment to the agenda https://pub-nationalcity.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=6451 called "FY 25 Enhancement Items Impacting General Fund,” need very close examination for budget savings. WHERE CAN YOU SAVE MONEY?
Management Analyst II $101,280 + $102,220
Deputy City Manager $46,049 added to Assistant CM salary Human Resources Director $231,813
Director of Community Development $249,391
Community Service Director $191,740
Principal Planner $148,057
New NCPD positions $408,528
I have long held that the public’s service needs are constantly surveyed through the See-ClickFix App and it is very clear that they want abandoned cars off the streets, the weeds pulled and the trees trimmed, the trash picked up from public spaces, safer streets and intersections, clean parks, and graffiti covered up immediately. Spending for these needs should be a top priority with you.
Last year, the majority of Councilors voted themselves a “District Budget,” of $100,000 each.
It was introduced by Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Bush and they called for equity, the need to do outreach, the need for an administrative aide, etc. Many in the public commented at the time that this was a bad idea. It looked too open-ended. The politicians had never campaigned on this issue. A deficit was shown in the budget at that time.
Two things are wrong about this spending. First, the inclusion in the FY 24 budget and the Item 12.2
spending of money WITHOUT a vetted policy has been an ongoing and unethical violation of trust. It has been too open-ended. Traveling out-of-town or rushing to hire an aide is playing the system you should be protecting.
Second, the spending of city money for the things you have used it for so far, takes no consideration for the downturn in sales tax coming into National City and has been added to a worsening of the deficit you faced last year.
You were warned that the forecast could show a slowdown in revenues to the city. I think it is prudent at this time to make a formal motion to delete this $400,000 funding and release it back to the General Fund permanently. Those positions listed above may be needed, but you need to give back the money you have taken for yourselves, before you can even consider that.
Ted Godshalk