AgdaPkt 2005-12-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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//1- .3 are staffing reductions, a deterioration of overall community aesthetics, longer intervals between litter pick-up and bathroom cleaning, deferred maintenance, removal or closure of facilities that need repair or do not meet safety standards and the elimination of recreation programs. San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Division alone has an unfunded deferred maintenance and capital improvement need of over $100 million and has had its budget reduced by approximately 40% since FY 02/03. Staffing levels have been reduced from 94.3 FTE in 1990 to 65 FTE in 2005. Meanwhile visits to the County Parks has increased by 250,000. The cuts in June 2004 resulted in staff reduction precipitating the closure of numerous facilities within the parks and the complete closure of 4 parks 3 days a week that summer. While closures of some facilities were lifted after the Board of Supervisors increased funding for the County Parks division the following September, budget related problems like staff shortages and safety issues created by deferred maintenance persist. Cities within the County have similar funding needs. Here in Redwood City, the Department has tried to reduce costs to create the least possible impact on residents but the cuts have been significant. Since 2002-03 the Department has eliminated 21 full time equivalent positions (114 - 93) while visits to parks and community center facilities grow. These cuts have impacted the day to day operation. 80% of the color planting done in the City has been eliminated, building and custodial maintenance has been reduced at all of our City facilities, staffing levels have been reduced at recreation buildings, recreation programs specifically the Kids Club licensed after school care program and summer playground programs were eliminated and funding support for Human Service providers was reduced. The City Council, through its Capital Improvement Program (CIP), has been supportive of a steady renovation program for our existing parks. The State Bond funds passed by the voters have also assisted in our efforts to renovate existing facilities. However, there has been no new acquisition of parks since those associated with the development in Redwood Shores. The Council has been equally supportive of renovation dollars for Park and Recreation Facilities under the CIP. However, despite our best efforts the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, which was constructed in 1955, is in need of close to $2,000,000 in repairs to roof and gutters, restroom renovations and changes to accommodate new programming. On the recreation side, the Council has provided dollars to after-school programs to match state and federal grants secured, yet we still have 200 students who meet eligibility requirements on waiting lists at the same time that we want to increase preventive types of programming for children at risk of joining gangs. The Process to Date Parks for the Future is a wide-ranging group of local leaders that includes representatives from non profits, cities, the County, special districts and park advocates. Over the past year, Parks for the Future participants have been discussing a variety of issues in a workshop format. A feasibility study and a voter survey (poll) were also conducted. 2005 City Agenda format