ABSTRACT: At the 5 February 2008 City Council meeting, Mayor Sue McCloud gave the Mayor’s Fifth Annual Report: PROGRESS ON ACHIEVING COUNCIL OBJECTIVES January 2008. The Report consists of a Financial Summary, 2007-2008 BUDGET YEAR Six Priority Objectives, Other key actions and projects undertaken or in progress and Looking ahead to 2008. The Report is dated January 2008, it was given to the public at the February 5, 2008 City Council meeting and it will be mailed to residents of Carmel-by-the-Sea in March 2008 to coincide with Mayor Sue McCloud’s re-election campaign.
PROGRESS ON ACHIEVING COUNCIL OBJECTIVES
January 2008
The Mayor Pro-tern and I have prepared this fifth Annual Report on the six primary objectives established for the 2007-2008 budget year. This report establishes the context for planning the 2008-2009 budget. These goals can be found in the Annual Work Plan under tab four of the current Budget Book.
Financial Summary: For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, Carmel-by-the-Sea had a solid increase in revenue. The primary revenue source, the hostelry tax (TOT), accounts for about 33% of the City's revenue and was higher because of increasing occupancy and a higher average room rate. Property tax ranks a close second, contributing about 29% of revenue. Carmel receives .14% of its $2.7 billion assessed value, or approximately one dollar out of seven generated by the property tax. The third of the "big three" revenue sources is sales tax, which accounts for about 17% of Carmel's revenues. Carmel receives 1 % of the 7.25% sales tax. This revenue had been down the previous budget year, but has now shown a slight, although welcome increase. We also received a little over $500,000 in grants and $600,000 in gifts to supplement revenue.
On the expense side, there were savings in several areas compared with the budget. The cost of ambulance service was almost $300,000 less than projected. Also, several staff positions were unfilled or filled later than anticipated. The Rio Park bond was paid off. The net result last fiscal year was a surplus of $1,904,000. The City Council recently voted to pay down $1,000,000 in City debt and to add $900,000 to reserves for present and future capital projects. We continue our conservative budget practices, given the number of economic uncertainties facing both the national and California economies.
2007-2008 BUDGET YEAR:
Council established the following six priority objectives for the City Administrator:
1. Update the General Plan and Del Mar Specific Plan
2. Update the Historic Context Statement and clarify/revise the Historic Preservation Ordinance
3. Implement the storm water run-off program and address requirements for Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS)
4. Promote the City's revenue growth through implementation of the strategic plan being developed by the Economic Revitalization Committee and update the City's website
5. Work with the Forest Theater Foundation to establish phases for implementation of the Master Plan
6. Address the Court's concerns regarding disposition of the Flanders property
Further details of progress on each objective:
1. Update the General Plan: Three community workshops were held to discuss those sections of the General Plan to be updated/added. The feeling of those attending the workshops was that a survey of the whole community needed to be undertaken. That survey has been contracted for and is being prepared
2. Update the Historic Context statement: A contract has been executed to clarify selection criteria and extend the period covered to include 1940-1965.
3. Storm Water Run-off and Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS): These are two separate but related projects:
A. Storm Water:
Carmel filed for a storm water permit in October 2006 and is voluntarily meeting requirements of the Monterey Regional Storm Water Management Program, while awaiting approval of the permit application. We are working toward a solution for storm water runoff with the other Peninsula cities and are now a full member of the regional Storm Water Participants' Group.
B. ASBS:
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) mandated that the City file an exception to the ASBS requirements set forth by the State. This exception has now been filed, which means that we are able to apply for grants to help the City fulfill its requirements. To protect the ASBS areas, Carmel is also working with other Peninsula cities and the Pebble Beach Company to find a regional solution.
4. Implement Strategic Business Plan; update the City's website: The object of this plan is to promote revenue growth. An outside consultant, Jeff Burghardt, was hired to work with City staff to develop the plan. A public workshop was held and staff and the consultant are preparing a draft Economic Revitalization Plan. Once drafted, another workshop is planned before the document is sent to Council for public review. The City's travel website www.carmelcalifornia.com (which includes selected pod casts and a listing of hotels, restaurants and retail stores is up and running. It had approximately one million page views in its initial twelve months. The updated City website will be launched shortly.
5. Forest Theater Foundation: With the funds it raised privately, the Foundation engaged the services of an architect with expertise in remodeling theaters. The "pre-design" was presented to neighbors and interested parties in October. Solutions to the issues raised are being developed. A presentation to the City Council is forthcoming and there will be opportunities for public input as the project moves forward. As we approach 2010 and the 100th anniversary of this outdoor Theater (the first in California), the remodeling is being undertaken to ensure that the Theater's productions will continue to entertain audiences for another 100 years.
6. Address the Court's concerns regarding disposition of the Flanders property: The year was spent preparing documents for timely submission to the Court and responding to Court action. The City decided not to appeal the Court's decision. The return on writ was filed with the Court in December 2007. Meantime the building and its environs are being maintained and monitored.
Other key actions and projects undertaken or in progress:
Capital Projects and Outlays:
A. Remodeling of the Del Mar public restrooms at the foot of Ocean Avenue was completed.
B. Repaving Projects completed include: Post Office Parking lot, 5"' Street between San Carlos and Dolores, Mission Street and sidewalks between 4th and 3rd streets.
C. Implementation of the Forest Study has begun, with $50,000 for this fiscal year.
D. Police Department telephones and computers were upgraded.
E. Sound and safety equipment for Sunset is on order.
Landscaping: In addition to completion of the landscaping of the Ocean Ave median, Main Library and Phase II (Mission Street side) of Sunset (including new outdoor lights), Piccadilly Park was upgraded. A new low wall was built in place of the high grape-stake fence, opening the area and inviting people to traverse Der Ling Alley to reach Ocean Avenue.
Recycling: The City is currently recycling at a rate of 63%. The State recycle requirement now is 50%, but we anticipate it will increase shortly to 60% and subsequently to 75%.
Sunset Center: Peter Lesnik was hired by Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. (SCC) as General Manager effective January 1, 2008.
Parking: A Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) will be used starting this month to monitor parking without marking tires. At the same time, 90-minute parking spaces now will be 120 minutes.
Public works projects: Redesign of Fourth Street between San Antonio and Monte Verde, and Junipero between Ocean Avenue and Eighth Street continue in the planning process.
New Council member: We welcomed former Planning Commissioner and Design Review Board member Karen Sharp to Council to fill the seat vacated by Mike Cunningham, and hope that you will introduce yourselves when you encounter her around town.
Looking ahead to 2008:
The second annual Carmel-by-the-Sea dog calendar is now available; "Contours on the Avenue" which launches the August car week will become a two-day event, Monday and Tuesday, August 11 and 12; the new "Authors and Ideas Festival" will make its second appearance September 25-28. It too will be a day longer than last year. We continue to work on a possible film festival. Regarding the environment, Council has undertaken a "green" sustainability program to improve energy efficiency and decrease impacts on the environment. Our continuing challenges include the economy, water shortage (which may worsen due to recent State actions against Cal-Am) and implementing the "greening" of our environment.
As we are all too aware, the New Year came in with a storm that left many of us without power, and learning about indoor camping! In addition to the stellar performance by City staff during the storm and its aftermath, we have many others to thank for their help as well. Whether working together in time of disaster or laboring constructively to reach our mutual citywide goals, the Council and I value your support and input as we work with you to keep our City healthy and financially sound.
Thank you staff, volunteers and those who serve on City boards, committees and commissions in particular for your service. We wish each and every one of you the very best in the New Year!
Sue McCloud
Mayor
Ken Talmage
Mayor Pro-tem
No comments:
Post a Comment