pages: CityCouncil/2005-12-06.pdf, 5
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CityCouncil | 2005-12-06 | 5 | Mayor Johnson stated the shortfall needs to be handled in a more strategic manner and needs to be in context with the ten-year budget projection; the goal is to have a system in place where a certain amount of infrastructure is taken care of each year tax increases should not be considered except for the transfer tax; the public has been very generous in supporting tax increases for the library, schools and hospital; cuts [in infrastructure funding] that have been made over the past five to seven years should not happen again. Councilmember Matarrese stated spending $27 million all at once would not be possible even if the money was available; the idea of increasing taxes is a long way off; the increase could be approached through a public process; sidewalks are the most critical assets that represent the biggest risk to health and safety; the value of repairing sidewalks versus the value and necessity of having the 25% reserve should be reviewed; 25% reserve is an arbitrary figure; drawing down on the 25% reserve should be considered; the budget should be reviewed; some items are under budget because of department head vacancies; there should be an analysis for using unspent budgeted money to fix critical items. Councilmember deHaan inquired whether $2.8 million of repair projects have been scheduled. The Public Works Director responded the projects are not currently scheduled because the money has not been appropriated; resurfacing could be scheduled for the beginning of the next fiscal year sidewalks could be scheduled the current fiscal year. Councilmember Matarrese requested an analysis between the criticality of resurfacing a street versus fixing sidewalks. Mayor Johnson stated that knowing how street and sidewalk priorities are set based on finances is important ; a lot of sidewalks need to be repaired throughout the City; inquired whether there should be a focus on sidewalk repair and crack sealing [ for streets] because of potential injuries and costs. The Public Works Director responded that the total payment of settlement claims and judgments ranged from a high of $37,000 to a low of $10,000 during the last four years. Mayor Johnson stated that attorney fees exceed the payouts. Councilmember Matarrese inquired whether any claims were made because the streets were in bad condition, to which the Public Works Director responded that he was not aware of any. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 5 December 6, 2005 | CityCouncil/2005-12-06.pdf |