Budget takes suggestions into account
EDITOR’S NOTE This is the third installment in a series examining the proposed 2006-07 city budget.
CITYWIDE — If resident Michael Hill had his way, he’d use part of the $448 million budgeted next year to build six synthetic turf soccer fields on a stretch of beach just north of the pier known as the Gobi Desert.
Katherine Reuter would like to see some of that money go towards the expansion of Memorial Park into the old Fisher Lumber site.
Chris Vander Kolk has a different idea — free wireless Internet throughout the city, so low-income families can also take a spin in the world wide web.
While none of those suggestions made the final cut, the residents’ proposals are still playing a crucial role in the development of next year’s budget, helping city staff identify the themes that drive spending,said Assistant City Manager Gordon Anderson.
For instance, several residents requested more funding for parks, in particular the Cove Skatepark, which is operating at limited capacity because of a lack of funding. In the proposed budget that council is considering adopting in June, there is money allocated to keep the skatepark open longer.
Other residents have expressed concern with security at local libraries following an attack at the Ocean Park branch involving a homeless man and the head librarian. In the proposed budget, money has been set aside to hire an additional library system security officerand to develop safety plans for all city facilities.
“It is extremely important for everyone to participate in the budget process,” Anderson said. “Even if specific suggestions are not addressed, they help us in identifying areas where we may need to increase funding, such as creating more open space, as people suggested.”
In identifying spending priorities for the next fiscal year, city staff is required to record all opinions expressed throughout the year by community members.
Residents and business owners can express themselves in a number of ways, the most obvious being to write a letter to the City Council. Another method is to speak before the council and city staff during one of the council meetings, including those scheduled specifically for that purpose.
Those concerned about spending can also send an e-mail to the City Manager and fill out the budget suggestions form that is posted on the city’s Web site.
The general idea being that since City Hall is preparing a budget for the public, it needs to provide ample opportunities for residents to voice their concerns and desires.
“Our primary goal is to respond to the city’s needs,” Anderson said. “I’d like to think this budget reflects those concerns.”
Since Jan. 24, city staff has received 127 formal comments in writing or at council meetings. The comments ran the gamut from specific requests, such as funding for the Pico Youth & Family Center, to broad support for programs, including those that deal with homelessness.
In reviewing each suggestion, city staff identified the following themes: ■ Parks, specifically dog parks (32 suggestions) ■ Parking, traffic and transportation (26) ■ Pico youth and family services (15) ■ Arts (12) ■ Neighborhood planning or concerns (9) ■ Homelessness or housing (6) ■ Public safety (6) ■ Support for youth and education (6) ■ Funding strategy suggestions (4) ■ Environmental issues (4) ■ Other (7) In an interview last week, City Manager Lamont Ewell said he feels confident that the budget drafted for council’s approval reflects those themes. He said the spending plan, which will take effect July1, represents a return to delivering core services for residents and includes funding for projects identified by the community as important.
The budget provides $1.6 million for the expansion of services at the new Main Library, Virginia Avenue Park and the Cove Skatepark. The Civic Center Parking structure and the Airport Park, which will include an off-the-leash dog park, are also scheduled to come on-line in the next fiscal year, addressing requests from the public regarding problems with parking and the need for more dog parks, Ewell said.
To address traffic, Ewell said the budget provides $5 million for street repaving — an increase of $2 million over the current budget. There is also $3 million for upgrades to the streetlight system and $2.6 million for improvements to the city traffic signal system, all of which is intended to reduce congestion.
With regards to community priorities officially adopted by the council, one of which was enhancing the quality of life in the Pico Neighborhood, Ewell said the budget includes money for the installation of lights in alleys, increased funding for Virginia Avenue Park to cover a full year of operations and a higher level of base funding for the Teen Center.
Reducing the impacts of homelessness was also a community priority adopted by the council. Ewell said the budget sets aside funding to extend the contract of homeless czar Ed Edelman, as well as to host meetings of the Westside Council of Governments to promote communication among neighboring jurisdictions to address regional issues such as transportation and homelessness.
To protect the environment, Ewell said money has been set aside for the promotion of alternative fuel use by city staff and residents. Funds will also be allocated to continue City Hall’s sustainable programs.
“We think this budget is right on target,” Ewell said. As for the soccer fields on the beach, better luck next year.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 1, 2006. Read the original PDF.