Attachment 14 – Councilmembers’ Questions/Comments from May 28, 2024 Mayor Martinez
• Expressed that the City Council wants to focus on beautification, which entails the need for additional personnel. Therefore, staff should focus on hiring. • Noted that the Police Department is receiving the largest increase among all departments.
Vice Mayor Jimenez
• Advocating for upgrades on Solano Avenue and proposed the establishment of a transportation division dedicated to addressing traffic issues. • Advocating for the creation of a new crew within the Parks division specifically focused on tree maintenance.
• Requested a list of City-wide vacancies including titles and the cost of positions. o What is the vacancy rate by department?
o How is the vacancy rate determined?
o How were the vacancy savings spent?
• Why has only $16 million of the $21 million allocated for the cost pool budget been expended as of March 2024 (Q3)?
McLaughlin
• Why is the proposed revenue budget for CIP lower than the expenditure budget? • Are the two positions allocated for housing program included in the budget? • Can I assure the constituents that they are on the list for traffic calming? • Proposing an increase in staffing for KCRT and IT.
Willis
• Can we look into temporary Traffic Calming solutions for certain problematic corridors until a permanent solution can be implemented?
o What is our flexibility to do so?
Bana
• Develop a priority list based on safety criteria for selecting traffic calming projects and establish a mechanism for selecting projects.
o What kind of staffing resources are needed for data collection regarding traffic safety?
• Are we exploring the expansion of grant writing efforts to secure funding for projects benefiting all City districts, considering property tax contributions? • What does the Risk Management 80 percent confidence level mean? • What portion of the budget is allocated for legal expenses? • Can we add an Arborist position?
• Is there any additional funding for Wildfire safety staffing? • Requested the following additions (via email):
1. Dog park(s)
2. Dog poop stands with plastic bags and trash cans
3. Bike garden at Cheese Park
Attachment 14 – Councilmembers’ Questions/Comments from May 28, 2024 Zepeda
• How can OPEB costs be lowered? The question was targeted towards the City Attorney. • Supported the expansion of traffic calming projects to cover all areas of the City. • Requested the following additions (via email):
1. ~$50,000 - 503 Canal Blvd, Gate Automation, Fire Department Key Operation Only, a. Modify the existing 25' gate to utilize an electric motor operator enabled only by the Fire Department key.
b. Operator is to be powered by solar panels with battery backup. The solar panel will be installed in an adjacent planter.
2. ~$15,000 – 501 Canal Blvd, Automation of the existing sliding vehicle access gate from East Richmond Avenue
Robinson
• Supports additional staffing to manage cutting and maintaining medians. • Expressed concern about the staffing shortage in Code Enforcement • What are the next steps once the CIP queue for traffic calming projects is cleared? • How much funding is currently allocated to the Paving program? • Is there an opportunity to combine repairs with these projects? • Has the ARPA budget for parks and restrooms increased?