City Council Recap: Street Improvements, Discretionary Budget Accounts & City Treasurer Vacancy

2011-12 STREET IMPROVEMENTS

South Pasadena City Council was forced to consider cutbacks for the 2011-12 street improvement program after the city finance department presented council with a new budget for the project.

Council allocated from the general fund, Measure R and the state gas tax for street improvements on Hermosa Street, Hanscom Drive, Marmion Way, Mound Avenue, Via Del Rey, Mountain View Avenue, Pasadena Avenue and Raymond Alley during a special budget session on March 30. The city also agreed to draft plans for street improvements on Monterey Road.

“When we originally presented to council what was available we took into consideration the funds from the gas tax,” said Assistant City Manager Sergio Gonzalez. “After further analysis, we discovered the gas tax dollars are used for operation and maintenance costs throughout the year. Those funds are not available for capital improvements. We had to reduce spending from $2.2 million to $1.6 million.”

Council directed city staff to reevaluate how they can cover the approximate $500,000 gap in spending to keep the 2011-12 street improvement project on course. Council is open to adjusting the street improvements schedule but didn’t make any final decision as to what streets, if any, will be eliminated from the program next year.

“When making a budget, you look at money for street repair,” said Council member Philip Putnam. “I would put money for street repair at No. 2 after personnel costs—not at No. 45. That’s how I would arrange my budget.”

City staff will present council with a new draft for the project during the June 1 special budget session. City staff was directed to budget between $1.9 and $2.1 million for the project.

CITY COUNCIL DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNTS

City Council unanimously voted to carryover council discretionary funds into the next fiscal year as long as the funds are designated for a specific purpose.

Council adopted an ordinance in 2004 that authorized a $25,000 City Council discretionary fund. Each council member is allocated $5,000 from the fund each fiscal year to identify gaps not covered in the budget and to supplement city funds. The original ordinance only allowed council members to carryover the remaining funds if there was a purchase order that encumbered the expenditure.  

Council members can carry over a maximum of $10,000 over a two-year period.

“The reason for discretionary funds was to help departments survive their budgets without council interruption,” Mayor Mike Ten said Wednesday night. “The $5,000 is to address a specific issue." 

CITY TREASURER VACANCY

South Pasadena City Council unanimously voted to hold a special election in November 2011 to fill the impending City Treasurer vacancy following .

City Attorney Richard Adams presented the council with two options to fill the vacancy: The first option would allow the council to appoint someone to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term by August 1; the second option would add the position to the November election ballot.

“I think it would be safer to go with an election,” Council member Richard Schneider said at the meeting.

After June 1, city staff will manage the position of city treasurer in the interim.

POSTPONED ITEMS

City Council unanimously approved to postpone several agenda items to make time to return to closed session discussion. Council postponed action items 19 (update and input regarding Fair Oaks construction), 20 (direction regarding additional regulations for massage establishments and similar businesses), 21 (consideration for a modern roundabout at the intersection of Marengo Avenue and Oxley Street) and 23 (discussion and direction regarding the City’s representation on the Gold Line Construction Authority Phase II). These items will be moved to a later agenda.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

The will host Operation Cookie in honor of Memorial Day on May 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Residents are encouraged to bring two dozen store-bought or homemade cookies.  All cookies will be brought to the Veteran’s Hospital. For more information, call (213) 300-9305.

South of Delancey will open at the on May 21, and will run though June 26. Set in New York, the production follows the struggles and triumphs of America’s first reality television show

The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s 2011 Electrict Lawnmower Exchange is currently underway. The program allows residents to turn in their working, gas-powered lawn mowers and purchase a new, cordless and rechargeable electric mower at a discounted price. To make a reservation for an upcoming exchange event, call (888) 425-6247. Fore more details, visit AQMD’s website.

The Second  Annual Greenest Fastest Mile will take place on July 4 at 3 p.m as part of the City of South Pasadena July Fourth Celebration and Festival of Balloons Parade. Proceeds from this event benefit the South Pasadena Middle School Booster Club. For more information or to register, visit this website.