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| 5 city council members - any awards? |
Hot consideration items
City sales tax (items 6, 7, 8)
City council member attendance requirements (item 12).
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Pacifica is the 6th or 7th largest city in San Mateo County.
Pacifica has the lowest per capita revenue of San Mateo County cities.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
44 comments:
Stone and Nihart voted against putting the sales tax on the ballot
despite a big showing from big labor and the PD. Now perhaps we can get on with an honest, comprehensive evaluation of the sheriff's option. We haven't had that, yet, as stressed by Len Stone
in his comments before the vote. Thank you both for your courage.
be nice to get actual figures on the budget and sheriff's proposal instead of speculation without facts. The taxpayers of Pacifica will never support a tax without the full facts. Councilmember Dejarnett and Digre obviously support fake budget figures. Too bad.
Stone and Nihart should be recalled for their vote to block this ballot measure in response to a fiscal emergency. They would rather have Pacifica go under then raise revenues. Useless a-tards.
If the city has FINALLY declared a fiscal emergency then there are a lot more options available to address staff wages/benies and pensions than raising taxes on the poorest in our community to pay the wealthiest. .
Haha, Stone & Nihart recalled. Haha.
They are the future. Vreeland, Digre and Dejarnett are the past buddy.
I commend Mary Ann and Len for not wasting our time and money with another tax initiative.
We don't need more taxes. The people have already spoken on this in the last two elections.
We DO need more numbers on outsourcing police. We DO need to bring down further the strangling union wages and benefits.
Thanks Mary Ann and Len. You guys are the greatest!
Pacifica Index's latest Featured Story, Anatomy of a Vote, is now online for those who would like to read futher analysis of last night's Council vote on Consideration Item No. 6.
So, whose baby is that? Love the inclusion of the arrest reports. Livens up the dry kind of political/legislative analyst approach.
Thanks Mary Ann and Len for your bravery and ethical leadership.
Subsidized NIMBYism is a non-starter.
Put forward some realistic economic development plans which will actually generate revenue with some rules of order for streamlining the process and you may get some tax payer help.
Stone and Nihart robbed us of our democracy. Not. Stone reasoned it through and came up with the right answer. Not enough info on the other option to make a good decision and he knew it. Mariann took a different route but who cares as long as she got there.
We seem to have a pretty good start on being a place with senior housing. Those are being built in growing numbers all over the country by non-profits, religious groups and corporations. Baby boomers are entering that market and will continue to need those services in huge numbers for decades. Senior housing brings real jobs, tax revenue, and local business revenue as residents and their visitors spend money in Pacifica. These facilities do not require huge parcels. This is a real-world growth opportunity with a built-in customer. Council should explore asap. Better yet, Council should hire an economic development specialist to do the job right. It would be the best money this town ever spent. And of course, we need a new Planning and Development Commission to make it work. New day in Pacifica!
"Stone and Nihart should be recalled for their vote to block this ballot measure in response to a fiscal emergency."
I don't know what this person is missing but Nihart has been out in front since she got on council talking and trying to convince others about the city's fiscal emergency. I didn't see employees stepping up to help on the last three taxes. Nope. Not a one. So it seems she finally got smart. Way to go. We don't have enough information so we need to stand tough. Thanks Maryann and Len. You both have a lot of guts and conviction; that is just what we need.
"Senior housing brings real jobs, tax revenue, and local business revenue as residents and their visitors spend money in Pacifica." Anon (739).
Of course, you've probably suggested an economically viable idea, but people should already worry about me on the road, much less all those old seniors.
Whatever this city does, I would hope for a balanced city approached (something for everyone including playing fields and a custom retail outlet mall). Doing this is complicated by this city having gifted 60% of it land to permanent open space.
What is the unifying economic plan for this city? Have we moved beyond "recreation and tourism" for which there is only an incomplete city infrastructure?
Anyhow I like what Mike Bell (647) said: "Put forward some realistic economic development plans which will actually generate revenue with some rules of order for streamlining the process and you may get some tax payer help."
If this city will show it is finally moving in the right direction, I'm for paying sales and other taxes to supplement and achieve a productive economic goal. But, the same 'ol city promises, promises with no connected goal and the net result "Subsidized NIMBYism" won't cut it. Been there.
I won't go for more taxes on the basis of some plan. Too easy to put forth a plan, even with sincerity, and then either bail or run into renewed, effective opposition. Or over-estimate our potential. Show me some results first and then my trust might be restored. This city doesn't need more tax dollars to change, it just needs to change! And it looks like we have a shot at a new majority on council to make that possible. Senior housing sounds good. Built in customer base and plenty of smaller parcels scattered around town to build on. Get a development specialist on the payroll and who knows what could happen. Now is the time to get some expert advice. And a new Planning + Development Commission!
Gave away too much land and what's left is a pain in the ass to develop. Maybe we'll get lucky, traffic on 1 will pick up and LM Shopping center will want to raze and rebuild as a premium outlet center. Plenty of room and no reason Safeway, Rite-aid, other tenants can't have a spot. I know, I'm dreaming.
@anon847, that earlier anon you responded to is probably Pacifica PD or some other city employee who wants you and me to pay more taxes to protect bloated salaries, benefits, and pensions. Not a chance!
I get the comment about building for seniors and senior housing.
It could be Pacifica's own development niche and done well it can pay for those sports fields and other goodies. We sure haven't developed any other niche. Tourism and recreation are too small and we're just not that special to grow them by much.
Linda Mar would be too small for a premium outlet mall. It would have to be in the Quarry.
Now, you're dreaming.
Pacifica a tourist and recreation destination? Fat chance. That was just an idea that meshed well with the enviros no building platform and so it goes. Too bad they didn't notice the recreation here is all free. Well, the county does get a few bucks from San Pedro Valley Park but look at the rest. The pier is owned by the state, we just maintain it for them and I wonder how many hundreds of thousands that costs this town each year? Can't charge a fee for fishing or parking and the folks that use it aren't stopping for a meal at Nick's or even Mickey D's. True that the Chit Chat Cafe pays market rate for their little spot on the pier but that's a drop in the ocean compared to Pacifica's costs. Mori Point is GGNRA, free, well-hidden and little used. Again, little collateral spending by users, most of whom live here. Linda Mar Beach owned by the state, maintained by Pacifica at a cost, we're told, of $170,000 per year, and we can't make any money off it per the agreement so even paid parking is a joke. Taco Bell makes a few bucks for somebody. Cheaper to give these so-called recreation assets back to the state and let them maintain them. You know, it's not like they're going to pack them up and move them away. Tourist destination? Santa Cruz, Monterey Peninsula, SF, Sonoma, Marin, Wine Country. Maybe the tourists will top off the tank coming or going. Maybe.
We were sold a bill of goods by people who thought the government handouts would last forever. Time for council to realize the world has changed and CA cities are on the bottom of the food chain. It's time to look aggressively for real revenue sources.
Folks once and for all Pacifica generates plenty of revenue. The fiscal crisis is a payroll issue not a revenue issue.
I'm glad the tax wont be on the June ballot. BUT you are all missing the point. The city has declared a fiscal emergency which allows the council to be much more aggressive in negotiating with our unions and police department associations.
Don't let your pointy little heads swell with false dreams of a new council tailored to your narrow under the top ideology. There are now tools in place to restructure our city employee compensation to something that more accurately reflects our revenues without declaring bankruptcy. Don't blow this opportunity because you are getting drunk on fools gold.
It's time to research ways to bring down the cost of our senior staff, department heads, fire and police without the extreme measure of bankruptcy. The declaration of fiscal emergency can and should be used to AVOID your dumb-ass wishes for a bankruptcy.
Get employee costs down to realistic levels and our city will be fine.
Bray
its puff puff pass not puff puff puff
Meanwhile, gas prices continue to go up and groceries have become very expensive to feed the family.
The new spring look has arrived. Get the look from your local food store. Starvation.
Stock up on flours, yeast, sugars, coffee, etc.
There will be no crying in the isles.
Todd, you are half right. We do have a payroll problem. But it has been exacerbated by 10 years of a no growth council. These three that you defend are also responsible for the strangling union contracts that are pushing us towards bankruptcy.
And you want to appoint another just like them? Think about it Todd. I know you're not one of those pointy heads.
Bravo to Mary Ann and Len for coming to such a well-reasoned conclusion regarding the sales tax measure. I would feel extremely frustrated if this were placed on the ballot without the information needed to make an educated vote. Let us know what the savings of police outsourcing will be and also what this includes. Will the Pacifica officers have a job with the sheriff, will they stay in Pacifica, will they be stationed where they are currently, will the level of service be the same or different??? Give us this information and place the sales tax measure on the November ballot for the people to decide what sacrifices they are willing to make given the necessary details.
Bray has a point, haha, about the declaration of a fiscal emergency. It can be used to bring the unions back to the table and get real concessions. It can be, and other cities have, but don't expect this city to have the cojones to do that. Easier to dream on. And we're all dreaming if we expect a change in council to produce any quick change in this city's situation and prospects.
Did anyone catch the police chief's statement about potential savings with the sheriffs during council meeting? Very interesting.
He was quite sure that the savings weren't much over a million dollars a year and he was opposed to that option. A few weeks ago he was saying no savings. Good to know he remains opposed no matter how much can be saved. We need those numbers to be refined and a proposal put on the table. Work out the details of who goes where and let's see what this option is all about. That part should have been done months ago but I guess the games had to be played first. Tough decisions coming up.
I heard if the Sherif deal goes through the Police Chief will lose his lifetime medical. Not sure if that's true but that would explain his vehemente opposition to this option.
anon1039, who needs an explanation? It's self-interest pure and simple. Senior PD stands to lose so they're against it no matter the numbers or if it saves Pacifica from insolvency. The lower ranks know they probably can't lose either way because not only does the Sheriff's dept like to hire the local patrol officers (smoother transition) but Pacifica can specify this in the contract. Where are those numbers? We're wasting time and money by delaying the decision.
Council has the numbers
Council doesn't have the numbers. Council has a menu to guide their decisions. Much like going to a restaraunt. After you looked at it, would you buy everything on the menu? Of course not. You'd pick what you need to satisfy your needs. Big difference in cost.
The Prof speaks the truth. Council and senior staff need to decide what and who to include and that will make a difference in how much Pacifica can save by outsourcing. And yes, outsourcing means big savings here like it has been elsewhere. Get on with it and stop the Pacifica PD from flailing about. It's so undignified. Refresh my memory. Is it their city or their paycheck they're supposed to protect and serve?
Council? Decision? Quick, we need a committee!
Pete has already said loud and clear that he'd never outsource the PD. It'll take some big savings and good results from other cities to change his mind.
Pete also said on Patch he did not support a tax this year. Be fun to see how he squares:
- town broke
- voters in no mood for new taxes
- his statement: no taxes
- his statement:keep cops
- alternative: cut library,seniors, resource ctr?
Council strategy: drag heels on outsourcing til sales tax can go on Nov ballot; act all shocked when it doesn't pass; blame the voters, cry and look worried; welcome 2 new councilpersons;
drag heels; blame the voters; so on and so forth; CNN reports rabid giant killer mosquitoes wipe out Pacifica; Anderson Cooper buys the quarry.
Again. We don't need any more taxes, or to outsourse the PD, or to cut services to the poor or seniors just to pay huge wage and benefit packages the unions negotiated in good times.
We need to bring wages and benefits more in line with what average Pacificans make which is closer to $60K a year, $2000 a month retirement on SSI, and medicare afterv retirement. We can't possible survive when we're paying for two retired workers for every worker on the job.
And what they're not talking about is that we have a $20 million unfunded pension obligation that's growing by 1 million a year. http://royceprinting.com/jobs/FOSarchive/2010FOS/05_06_10_PacificaFOS.pdf
If not dealt with we will be in bankruptcy sooner than later.
Hey sucker don't you mess with our pensions. It's tough being a public serpent. Geez, look what it did to Vreeland. And he'll only get a measley $25,000 a year pension. I'll get 5x that and I won't have to wear this stupid uniform anymore. Of course Vree and Pete won't have to put up with Therese Dyer and Todd S. anymore. Nah, I'm still slightly ahead.
Nothing's going to stop this meltdown. Bring on the bankruptcy and let's be sure we get out from under these union contracts.
No more union contracts, no more negotiating, no more City Administrative necessities, No more City. No more Council. Let's move forward to outsource and have either Daly City or the Board of Supervisors run this show. Let's move forward and have people with real backbones make decisions. The vocal minority will have no more say in this matter. We are done.
Whole lot of melodrama there, Skippy. What's wrong? Things not going your way? Feeling unappreciated? We're not done. Those people in the MidWest gone in the tornadoes...they're done. We're just going thru some tough times. How lucky we are that there are solutions available to us and possibly people on hand with the backbone to make the tough decisions. That's a thankless job but I don't think they care.
Sneaky Pete also said:
"Tarballs (not sewage) closed the beach".
"We have $7,000,000 in reserves".
" We can't allow our city workers to work one more day in those unhealthy buildings."
BEWARE when the opening between his chin and nose is changing shape (no lips).
"We are done." Again I ask: who is "we" Kemo Sabay?
I'm not nearly done. Speak for your wimpy self.
This town needs a white knight to ride into town and save us. He'll be dressed up as a sheriff and we will all bow down. Fair Pacifica will be saved from fiscal doom by rational decisions and business acumen.
Waiting for the unicorn to appear ...
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