City’s Misplaced Priorities

ABSTRACT: The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea has a “fully staffed parking enforcement unit,” yet the City has failed to fully staff and/or adequately fund the Forest, Parks and Beach Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Community Planning and Building, Community Services Department and Building Maintenance Services and Capital Improvements Program. As a result, the judgment and priorities of the City Council are called into question.

Traffic and parking fines were up $54,054 to total $323,734, which was 41 percent higher than last year and largely attributable to Carmel P.D.'s fully staffed parking enforcement unit.
(Source: Council’s happy chore: How to spend extra $2M, MARY BROWNFIELD, September 21, 2007 The Carmel Pine Cone)

As reported in the The Carmel Pine Cone (September 21, 2007), for Fiscal Year 2006-07, city revenues ($13,546,840) exceeded city expenses ($11,106,052) by $2,440,788.

Interestingly, the increase in traffic and parking fines was attributed to “Carmel P.D/s fully staffed parking enforcement unit.” The City provides for a “fully staffed parking enforcement unit,” yet fails to provide for a fully staffed and/or adequately funded Forest, Parks and Beach Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Community Planning and Building, Community Services Department and Building Maintenance Services and Capital Improvements Program.

QUESTIONS:
• Does the City Council and the City Administrator have the correct priorities to honor Ordinance No. 96, “THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA is hereby determined to be primarily, a residential City wherein business and commerce have in the past, are now, and are proposed to be in the future subordinated to its residential character;...?”

• Are City Council Members making budget judgments based on the best interests of the residents of Carmel-the-Sea?

REFERENCES:
FOREST, PARKS AND BEACH
The Forest, Parks and Beach Department manages and maintains the City's urban forest, parks and beach in order to preserve the windbreak protection, abate soil erosion, enhance the natural beauty, and maintain the outdoor recreational facilities of the community.
Revised 07/08: $ 457,661

PUBLIC WORKS
The Department of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of all municipal infrastructure involving the construction, improvement and repair of streets, sidewalks, pathways, and storm drainage systems, installation of traffic signs, painting of street markings, and the maintenance of the City's vehicle and equipment motor pool.
Revised 07/08: $ 1,028,340

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND BUILDING
The Department of Community Planning and Building is responsible for the management of land use and environmental quality in Carmel-by-the- Sea. The planning function maintains the General Plan and ensures that capital programs, zoning and other activities of the City are consistent with the goals and policies of the Plan. The Department also provides staff support to the Planning Commission, the Historic Resources Board and the Design Review Board.

The Building function is responsible for review of construction plans and inspections of City and private development projects to ensure compliance with building codes. Enforcement of zoning, design, building and fire codes is also a responsibility of the Department.
Revised 07/08: $ 721,001

COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Department is responsible for administration of special events, community programs and activities which provide a variety of recreational and creative opportunities to Carmel residents of all ages. Plans, administers, organizes and directs the operation and activities of the Forest Theater, Vista Lobos, and the Scout House. Oversees City owned art, Destination Marketing, and is the staff liaison to the MCCVB. Provides staff support to the Community Activities & Cultural Commission.
Revised 07/08: $ 205,014

BUILDING MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Building Maintenance Services is a division of the Community Services Department. It is responsible for the repair, renovation and ongoing maintenance of approximately 145,000 square feet of City-owned buildings and other structures on public property. This includes, but is not limited to, all vertical construction, electrical, plumbing, heating, lighting control maintenance and custodial service support for municipal properties.
Revised 07/08: $ 328,574

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
Funds are budgeted to provide for planning and construction of major capital improvements. The capital projects, submitted by departmental staff and their respective commissions or boards, are selected through an in-depth evaluation prioritization process and then reviewed and approved by the City’s Planning Commission.

Capital Improvements (2007/08)
4th Avenue Riparian Restoration $ 196,000
Repave Mission betwn 3rd & 4th $ 150,000
Repave 5th Ave. betwn S. Carlos & Dolores $ 27,000
Parking lot across from P.O., repaving $ 20,000
City Hall carpeting - Chambers room $ 10,000
Del Mar Restrooms $ 55,200
Forest Study Implementation $ 50,000

Revised 07/08: Subtotal $ 508,200

(Source:
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CALIFORNIA
ADOPTED BUDGET
FISCAL YEARS
2007/08 THROUGH 2009/10
http://www.ci.carmel.ca.us/)