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| Sell the property to a developer, start over? |
Budget Presentation - April14, 2014, Budget presentation - May 12, 2014, Budget Presentation - May 27, 2014. And of course last night's final presentation, June 9, 2014. (Although the numbers were the same, the budget documents were somewhat confusing to track when compared with the city presentation).
There is a $4 million unexpected deficit. $2 million of that unaccounted for. There is no money to complete the first phase of the Beach Boulevard project.
The non-government organizations (NGOs) funding includes: $83,000 to the Resource Center; $3,000 contribution to the Pacifica Beach Coalition toward the annual Earth Day celebration. Not funded: $10,000 toward weekend tourist information provided by the Chamber of Commerce, and $75,000 toward seven (7) JPA library hours.
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| First phase not happening, no money |
$2,127,437 city pension obligations bond restructuring will be loaned from the city sewer enterprise construction fund at the existing low rate (.05%, rather than the proposed 1%). Generally city fees will increase as presented in the budget. Linda Mar State Beach parking fees will increase as follows: $65 annual pass; or daily, $4 (up to 4 hours), $8 (up to 8 hours). Cash disappointments exist in various city improvement funds, such as in street repair and construction, and Frontier Park methane gas remediation.
Related budget article - Pacifica Riptide/Lionel Emde, 6/8/14, "City Budget: What DID I do with that $2.2 million?"
Related project casualty - City of Pacifica Beach Boulevard Project, "Beach Boulevard Property Revitalization and Redevelopment Plan." Background. "Throughout most of the 20th Century, the city’s property at 2212 Beach Boulevard served as the Sharp Park Waste Water Treatment Plant, a facility that provided service for many of the city’s residents.Following the completion of the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant in 2000, the Sharp Park facility was no longer necessary, and its water treatment components were removed from the site. Since that time, most of the three-acre site has been essentially vacant and used by the city and Recology for truck parking and miscellaneous storage. However, the property has also played several other important roles: The Council Chamber building along Montecito Avenue hosts council and other civic meetings; a parking lot provides public parking access to the beach and Promenade; and the small pump station building on site still plays a part in the City’s waste water system." Beach Blvd Project Final EIR, 56 pages.
Related project casualty - City of Pacifica Beach Boulevard Project, "Beach Boulevard Property Revitalization and Redevelopment Plan." Background. "Throughout most of the 20th Century, the city’s property at 2212 Beach Boulevard served as the Sharp Park Waste Water Treatment Plant, a facility that provided service for many of the city’s residents.Following the completion of the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant in 2000, the Sharp Park facility was no longer necessary, and its water treatment components were removed from the site. Since that time, most of the three-acre site has been essentially vacant and used by the city and Recology for truck parking and miscellaneous storage. However, the property has also played several other important roles: The Council Chamber building along Montecito Avenue hosts council and other civic meetings; a parking lot provides public parking access to the beach and Promenade; and the small pump station building on site still plays a part in the City’s waste water system." Beach Blvd Project Final EIR, 56 pages.
Note photographs/graphics are from the related City of Pacifica Beach Boulevard Project above.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
57 comments:
By all means move hell or high water to make sure city employee pension obligations are met. Damn the budget.
Bankruptcy attorney's on Line 1.
fact error.
No one from recology was at mon council mtg and nothing was said that recology is covering the $10k.
Where did this factoid come from?
Even I did not expect it to get this bad. A $2.2 million inter-fund loan that no one seems to know what the money was spent on or if there was ever a repayment plan. $1.5 million that was supposed to be set aside for the first phase of the Palmetto street scape gone, no one knows were. The remaining $2.5 million of the $6 million dollar loan to the R.D.A.($3.5 million already lost) unlikely to be recovered. When do we get some good news?
456, you may be right. I recognize there could be a factoid error, but I'm pretty sure I heard Chris Porter say Recology contributes $10,000 to the Chamber of Commerce (and no one from the Chamber stepped forward this year to beg for the $10,000). However, what Recology contributes to the Chamber of Commerce may not replace the city tourist information contribution. Before clarifying or correcting this, I'd prefer to hear from a trusted named source, such as or namely Chris Porter.
Tom, 502, thanks for the ongoing clarification comments you make. Those of us who seek answers, really appreciate that recall and understanding.
Hello Kathy..Recology of the Coast is a top sponsor of the Pacifica Chamber along with Chevron. The cost for this sponsorship is $7,500 a year. We also contribute to some of their major events, such as the Taste of Pacifica, of which I have been the chairperson for the last twelve years. If I were to add up all the contributions we make to the Chamber for an entire fiscal year, I am sure it is over $10,000. We WILL NOT be picking up the $10,000 stipend the City had previously allocated for the Visitor's Center. As I have previously stated, Recology contributes to many factions and events in town as we feel we are part of the community and want to help out where we can, either financially or with in-kind donations. I, as well as members of my staff, donate our time on committees and Board. As I have previously stated, donations of time or money are not allowed as a reimbursable expense in our rate schedules. All donations come from Recology's pockets and love of our community.
Just think, if no one peeked under those rocks--and understood what they saw-- we still wouldn't have a clue. I bet Maureen Lennon, our last qualified director of finance, knew this day would eventually come when she was sent packing. Too good at her job. She never seemed like the kind of person to laugh at anyone's misfortune, but she'd be entitled to chuckle at this mess.
442 Not according to Ms. Tinfow. In the same report detailing the inter-fund lending mess, she said the city's obligations would continue to be met and services provided. Kinda early in the game for Stockholm-syndrome, so I believe her, for now.
Hello Chris 628, thanks for the clarification, and a correction has been made on the article. Also appreciate 456 bringing this to my attention. Its seems to me, Recology has been very generous with local funding at your urging. And the part I did get right is that these contributions are not coming out of our monthly rates, but from Recology, the company.
Wonder if Recology has a big brother in the construction business? Handouts are nice, city self-sufficiency is better.
This is the nightmare I have heard people worrying about. Budget numbers provided by staff are exaggerated. You can not have the fox watching the money.
4 million short she says?...then immediately put up 3 "for sale signs" up and sell three city properties:
1) Beach Blvd. $3-4 million (sell as-is, let developer complete entitlement work)
2) Corp Yard $1-1.5 million
3) Francisco Parking Lot $750,000 - $1,000,000.
Grand total: $4.75 - 6.5 million.
Simply transferring the properties to a private owner will create 5 figures a year in property taxes, let alone if something is ultimately developed on these "gems".
Invite the hotel/motel proponents for the former Dallas restaurant location to build another or bigger hotel/motel at the Corp Yard or Francisco. Both great spots for a freeway visible motel. Viable long term income streams and cash cows!
Looks like they have some serious negotiating to do with the unions. No more city contributions towards pensions. Isn't that what Muni just asked for and will probably get? And the old 10% across the board cut. No more health coverage for the entire family and employees are going to have to put in more.
928 has the right idea to get out of this mess. Particularly since pushing out the pay-off date til 2020 on that pension obligation bond really takes police outsourcing off the table. Surprise surprise. So, it's sell the farm or take the death-by-a- thousand-cuts installment plan to straighten out this mess. Add to the fire sale the buildings housing PB&R, Planning and City Hall. No need to spend that $40K for a new roof. Put those people in the police station and the community center. Squeeze them in if necessary, it's an emergency! Compared to the dumps those people are working in now, it's an improvement. Council can meet at the community center. Work out the schedule. This Council needs to face facts and take drastic steps or step the hell down.
No money to go ahead with Beach Blvd. Praise Jesus! They already wasted $400K plus on the Vreeland-era plans and more than that on this council's current asinine plans for the site. A million bucks, probably a lot more because how the hell would they know, down the crapper. Sell it to anyone who'll buy, no conditions, no city bullshit about what we'd like built. The CCC will make sure it's pretty. Pray for hotels and more TOT. It is appalling that this council, this one, not some other, would promote the idea of a bond-financed library on that piece of prime real estate while knowing the mess we're in. A new library has no place on their list of goals.
Oh gee, someone sent $308,000 to the state by mistake 18 months ago and we're waiting on a refund. Snowball. Hell. Go and get it back. You've got a shuttle. Ride it to Sacto and park your elected asses on the steps of the Capitol Bldg until you get the check. Good old-fashioned sit-in. You can wear masks.
Someone mentioned pay cuts. How about you elected officials start with your own? For a city this size the state muni code says the normal monthly "stipend" is $400. Through a series of actions by previous councils you receive nearly double that. You sure haven't earned it. $400 is generous. You all would get a pink slip in private industry. To be perfectly clear, it's not the money, it's the principle.
928 "Budget numbers provided by staff are exaggerated". Sounds like an alibi. Don't be so quick to buy it. When this kind of "news" gets out, the finger-pointing starts.
Sorry 928, liked what you said so much that I blamed you for the distraction at 902.
950,902 what part of the $4 million budget deficiency is exaggerated? Exaggerated now, or didn't that exaggerated budget happen prior and this is budget is the harsh reality? No money for Beach Blvd stage 1 development, half the non-government organizations cut, fees increased, $2.2 million MIA.
Kathy The 4 million is not exagerated. That was meant to mean that city staff have been caught in other towns inflating budget numbers so they continue to get raises. This disappearing money may be a result of staff painting a rosier picture in the past few years than what reality is. They do have motive.
Oh the 4 million deficit isn't exaggerated. Would anyone be surprised if it proves to be understated once all the rocks are turned over? 902 implies staff misled council. If they did, they did a hell of a job. For 7 years--that's how long this city has been without a qualified finance director. Hey, will we be hiring one now? Can we afford not to? Make it an outsider.
Desert Hot Springs "The drastic change in the numbers has raised questions if the budget numbers were every accurately report and has led to speculation in the public about whether the city’s financial books were cooked to mask the full extent of the problem."
http://www.desertvortex.com/2013/11/17/desert-hot-springs-fiscal-crisis-surprise-emergency/desert-hot-springs/13408/news
Sounds very familiar.
Maybe we need to declare a Fiscal Emergency "under state law to restructure the employee contracts, including imposing salary reductions and benefit cuts without negotiations."
12:55
City Council asked Steve Rhodes to declare a fiscal emergency before the phone tax fiasco.
So I guess this means we don't really have a surplus?
Pacifica council declares fiscal emergency, puts phone tax on ballot
By Aaron Kinney
akinney@bayareanewsgroup.com
POSTED: 07/09/2013 04:03:43 PM
PACIFICA -- Voters in this cash-strapped coastal city will decide in November whether to tax their phone bills.
The Pacifica City Council moved unanimously Monday night to place a measure on the Nov. 5 ballot that would expand the city's utility users tax, which places a 6.5 percent levy on gas and electric services, to include telecommunications.
The tax brings in about $1.7 million a year right now, said City Manager Stephen Rhodes. Expanding it for eight years to include land line and mobile phone usage would bring in an extra $1.075 million annually, boosting the city's general fund budget of roughly $27 million.
The council also declared a fiscal emergency Monday, a necessary step for holding a tax vote in a year when there is no council election on the ballot. City officials say Pacifica's budget problems stem in part from state take-aways and lagging property and sales tax revenues.
"Our revenues are flat," said Rhodes, "and our expenses are increasing."
The measure will require majority approval. A recent survey found more than 60 percent of respondents supported broadening the tax, according to the city.
Contact Aaron Kinney at 650-348-4357. Follow him at Twitter.com/kinneytimes.
So did Steve Rhodes and Ann Ritzma know about this missing 2 million before they skipped town? Is there going to be a criminal investigation about tax payer money fraud?
According to this council, staff has taken cuts and done without raises for several years. Now which is it, a brain dead council was misled by senior staff intent on getting raises, or neither council nor staff did their job with due diligence? For seven years. Or, are they just cleaning out the outhouse, using old news and a new CM to prepare us for more cuts and another run at more taxes? How better to prepare us for those things than to, you know, communicate? I think I read somewhere that it's a forte of Ms. Tinfow.
2:58
Of course they both knew. Why do you think they bailed out of town. Rhodes sold his house and got the hell out of dodge. So much for loving Pacifica and staying.
High five 144! You are so bad.
258 You so silly. Any investigation would implicate others. Not in fraud, just plain old incompetence and the old CYA problem.
With all this uproar, now is the time to watch that consent agenda and everything the city does.
1242 The all-time pro at painting a rosy picture was a certain former councilman. He'd browbeat staff til he got an improbable best case scenario out of whatever venture he was selling. Party poopers were out the door! Those were the days of fat raises and posh benies for everyone--including big benies for council-- all of which were delivered by Ann Ritzma but not without council's direction and approval.
I wonder if Tinfow knew what a budget cluster f&ck the city was in before she took the gig?
I'd like to believe this mess was a secret at city hall, even tho' it would mean they're all idiots, but I don't. Clearly the full implications and the obligation for correct accounting may not have been understood by all, but
this is not rocket science and inter-fund lending happens at all levels of gov't every day. That's what they're doing with the pension bond. Something or someone
made a strong case for coming clean. Must be a relief!
258, 325 Don't overdo it. Diversions require a light touch.
I always watch the consent calendar. That is were the real money gets spent. I doubt the Lorie had any idea that things where as bad as they are. There is a big difference between wanting a challenge and the sh!t storm she walked into.
She does get things done. CalTrans was out on Highway 1 today working on that overpass that I have been trying to get staff to do something about for the last four years.
After a couple of conversation about it with Lorie things are happening. That the sign of a strong leader.
@417 You mean did Ms. Tinfow ask why Ritzma didn't get the CM job that she wanted so badly? I sure wondered about that.
Tinfow seems like just what we need. Hope she doesn't need the limelight. It's pretty much taken around here. Good deeds are their own reward, right? Straighten this shit out and she could be governor.
Budgets are just that, budgets. I'd be curious to know what percentage of the budget the city typically spends each year? That will reveal the actual likelihood that a deficit will occur.
While it's all doom and gloom or, if you prefer, "the sky is falling," doubt that City Council will easily let go of the idea for that $30 million dollar library. And perhaps they shouldn't.
The way this town handles its money, you just know there will be another financial crisis even after, and if, this one gets straightened out. Selling off all the surplus property now will leave nothing to consider selling later unless its a surplus police station.
My recommendation would be to immediately house ALL the city offices at the WWTP, that would seem most appropriate.
That's interesting, Bones. So, we could have this 4 million dollar interfund problem which is basically money we owe ourselves, and just continue on. Freeze some projects, not spend anything we don't have, do a better job of interfund lending, keep it all legal, and repay these various fund shortages when revenue is available to do so--on the installment plan Tinfow mentioned. No doubt raising fees, fines, sewer tax as we go and hoping for more TOT and other revenue. Maybe even a refund of the oopsie $308,000 that went to the state. I like it. Life goes on, Pacifica-style.
624 Yeah, the library nonsense isn't going away. Particularly if we lose hours at the two libraries making both less accessible. It'll be business as usual once this dust settles. It's all out in the open now. They're ready to climb mountains.
624, The worst possible thing we could do now is move more city offices into the WWTP, a valuable property that we need to make some money on.
I said 10 years ago we should lease that building to a restaurant or micro brewer.
We should now sell it and let a developer do what they want which will hopefully include a hotel.
Hutch from 624:
While my previous comment was semi tongue-in-cheek, I was referring to the new WTTP building at Vallemar as the appropriate spot to house city offices for what I thought "obvious reasons."
I'm in full agreement that the former WTTP site at Sharp Park should be leased or sold to a developer. The idea that Pacifica could ever develop that property for a library or anything else is foolhardy. Time to let it go.
Hutch
A microbrew pub was proposed for Palmetto a few years back. Robin Runneals and her friends cried to City Council and Planning it would lead to:
Noise
traffic
The people who proposed the project were quickly run out of town.
Is it safe to finally say.
Our Ecology is our economy has failed?
2 people turned in papers for City Council.
Vic Spano
John Keener
10:25 How many seats are available? 2 or 3?
Three seats are open this time around. Lens, Sues, and Mikes.
1007 Oh it goes way beyond that. We can't count.
@858 Runneals and her friends were just protecting their 'hood. It's always been a nimby nest.
Tom Clifford said...
Three seats are open this time around. Lens, Sues, and Mikes.
June 12, 2014 at 11:49 AM
And they must all be thrown out!
Throw the bums out!!
Runneal's hood looks like a chit hole.
221 Yeah, and the Palmetto Streetscape Project has run out of money. Ridiculous project and now it'll be an unfinished ridiculous project. Don't wanna see any smoke and mirror fancy accounting to get this finished. And somebody please put a stop to the funds being poured down that chithole on Beach Blvd. Tally up the money spent on plans there over the past 10 years for an instant cardiac. Sell it now to anyone with the money to buy it.
Maybe a little good news down the road. Planning Commission holds a study session 6/16 @ 6 in Council Chambers on the new hotel proposed on the site of the former Dallas/Spanky's restaurant 699 Oceana. It's a small 34 room hotel. Sounds similar to the current HIE with breakfast room. Might bring in $200K annual TOT. Maybe Ms. Tinfow can work some more magic? Let the games begin.
240 West Sharp Park is the oldest part of Pacifica. Many beach houses from the 20's and earlier. It has a lot more character than almost any other part of town.
I hope the Palmetto beautification resumes. I do agree they should just sell the old WWTP property. But W Sharp Park is far from a shit hole as you put it. Lower crime than even Linda Mar. People know each other. And all neighbors are not nimby's.
If it's got all that character, it doesn't need any new streetscape. And if that's not character, don't waste money we don't have.
3:51
It's a shit hole.
Show me some data where there is less crime than Linda Mar.
Not going to debate with a coward too afraid to use their real name.
Let's see, Sharp Park is the location which includes historic buildings, the Castle, the main library, the golf course, the pier, city hall, city council chambers, a clean beach and picnic area, a commerce strip, restaurants, pubs, and a school.
843, 221, 108 one-liner "grunt and spit" comments are meaningless. And as Hutch 747 suggested such comments are weak, coupled with no research and no identity-- a complete waste of everyone's time. Get a clue!
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