Eco Bikeway, School Sheriff Deputy, Budget on City Council Agenda

The City of Imperial Beach City Council will vote to revise its 2012-2013 budget Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

Among changes being made, the graffiti abatement program will be absorbed into the Department of Public Works. As a result, response times are expected to take longer.

The proposed revision still seeks to eliminate Fourth of July Big Bay Boom fireworks and its cost of $30,000 for the city.

Lifeguards estimated about 30,000 people were on the beach Fourth of July of last year, the second busiest day of the year.

"Preliminary analysis appears to show, at best, minimal economic impact" the revised budget plan states.

However, during council's meeting earlier this month, when asked if Director of the city's Finance Department Michael McGrane stated that since sales tax is only reported monthly there has been no way to measure the direct impact of the fireworks show. Subsequent analysis has not been conducted, he said.

The city will have a $17.6 million operating budget next year, but additional cuts or revenue sources may be needed in the future to balance the budget.

By the 2016-2017 fiscal year, in part due to CalPERS retirement and sheriff contract costs, a deficit will increase to $100,000.

Cuts were necessary, staff said, due to the elimination of redevelopment agencies which provided about $1.8 million to programs and staff salaries.

To view the entire revised budget see the attached PDF document.

This is agenda item 6.1.

The city wants school districts to pay more of the School Resource Officer's salary. An agreement that will be considered Wednesday would approve a three-year agreement where the city pays 50 percent of the deputy's salary. The Sweetwater Union High School District would pay $65,000 and South Bay Union School District $20,000.

Due to expected cost increases, the city's payments for the position is expected to increase from near $130,000 to about $155,000. 

This is agenda item 6.5.

In order to replace a 19-year-old fire engine, the city will apply for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG).

This is agenda item 6.6.

The city's Department of Public Safety was awarded an AFG grant in 2009 which was not used, and so an extension will be requested. The grant funds rescue equipment from power saws to hoses to traffic safety cones.

The grant will partially be used to outfit a new fire engine if additional funds are obtained from the federal program. Council is being asked to approve a resolution that will allow City Manager Gary Brown to accept the grant.

This is agenda item 2.5.

An Eco Bikeway and Eco Route would provide a way for bicyclists to detour off the Bayshore Bikeway and into the City of Imperial Beach and more bike lanes for local residents. Council will be asked to approve or deny staff's request to submit an application for a grant to SANDAG to fund the construction of a portion of the city's Bicycle Transportation Plan.

This is agenda item 6.3.

City Attorney Jennifer Lyon will provide council with information regarding assessment districts after questions arose about the special districts that may be established to collect revenue to pay for improvements at a meeting last month.

Earlier this month, City Council said they may be interested in attempting to form assessment districts to pay for alley improvements. Another option to allow residents to pave alleys with gravel was considered instead.

This is agenda item 6.2.

Many agenda items for Wednesday's meeting are devoted to the renewal of contracts for maintenance services.