Oxnard City Council 10-8-13- Measure “O” sales tax funds use debated, long-term debt, police killings

It’s Your Backyard Ventura County

By George Miller

For nearly four hours, City Council, members of the public and special interests opined on where to spend another $4 million in sales tax bonanza from the half-cent additional sales tax passed in 2008.

Measure “O” sales tax use debated (Agenda: J-1)

A voter initiative to increase the sales tax by a half-cent for 20 years passed with 65% of the vote in 2008. Since 2009, an additional $45 million has flowed into Oxnard’s coffers. Unlike a special use tax, which needs a 2/3 vote, this program had a wider intended use of funds, directed at public safety, public roads, storm water management, code compliance, senior services & parks recreation. The idea is to create or enhance programs not covered by the regular general fund. Measure “O” has led to an increase of about 10% of total city general fund expenditures, which do not include public works and other ratepayer-funded programs, the bulk of city expenditures of some $360+ million this year.

A Citizens’ Oversight Committee (COC) exists, but it is generally believed, including by committee members, that it hasn’t been well-utilized.  They gave a letter, dated Oct. 8, to Council,  stating that their primary role is to help ensure that money is spent per appropriations.  However, they objected to the allocation of $50,000 to the Oxnard Farm Museum as not consistent with the purpose of Measure “O,” although the museum is a very worthwhile effort.

Some programs implemented were cited, such as: street repair with a new cold planer, City Corps-Town Keeper Program, Oxnard Tennis Center Court Resurfacing, College Park- Phase 1C, Road repairs, South Oxnard Center- floor replacement.

Of the $45 million received, program inception to date, 31 MM has been spent. Last year, 10MM came in, $13MM spent. There is a nearly $5MM surplus over and above what is allocated now – which was the main topic of discussion for the evening.  Not much talk about keeping a reserve, since there seem to be so many worthy needs for all of it and more.  Pages 4-6 of the meeting handout covered the financial aspects.  2013-14 approved projects total $6.4MM, with $9.8M to spend.

Millions in park enhancements were proposed, such as Thompsen Park, Southwest Community Park, Wilson Park, Connnelly Park, Cabrillo Park, South Bank Park, Oxnard Beach Park, Del Sol Park. These were mostly for restrooms and play structures. Citizens and Council alike felt sticker shock over $800,000 bathrooms (well over double the cost of an average Oxnard home) and $450,000 monkey bars.  They were told by city people that durability and regulatory requirements were the reason. Handicapped  access, drainage, sidewalks, parking, ruggedized, vandal-resistant, crime-discouraging structures aren’t cheap. There was discussion of using trailers for bathrooms and more creative approaches to save money, without resolution. It was stated by Parks Director Mr. Henderson that ADA (American Disability Act) compliance raises costs about a third.

There was discussion of whether private charitable/service organizations should be able to receive funds. Some worried about the precedents and a flood of funding demands by other organizations, but there is really no reason why it couldn’t be done, if city objectives are addressed in a cost-effective manner.

The library system needs a new ILS (Integrated Library System, which is used to manage assets/books, borrowers, check out/book status, location, disposition, etc. RFP is being processed. Also, there are about 200 computers in the system, mostly needing replacement, averaging 10 years old, which is an eternity in the cybernetic world. Newest is about 7 years. A quick estimate from the head librarian Mrs. Murray was $20,000 annually needed to replace 20 per year at $1000 each (these are ruggedized). This doesn’t sound nearly fast enough.  These must be very durable computers and well-maintained computers to have lasted so long.

Resident Steve Nash asked whether there was really any increase in the Police force as a result of Measure “O” and how program ongoing costs will be addressed (via Measure “O” or general fund?). He also requested a residents’ survey.

Various people asked for money for street repair, library, Downtown Children’s Museum, Auto Museum, extra police beats, Science Museum, Ormond Beach, code compliance.

Larry Stein said that it was inappropriate use of Measure “O” funds to be used for Fire Station 8.  Jim Lavery noted that it took 65 vacant, unfilled city positions to balance the budget.

Council Comments:

Ramirez: Want public transit; Aquatic Center; Parks, playgrounds; fix old high school- which is in hazardous condition

Padillo: $2.5MM for street repair; $1.5MM library, $1MM for reserve; park bathrooms

MacDonald: 1 time expenditures, not recurring; street repair high priority; Gullwing museum; raise $10MM in bonds for every $1M spent; Marine Safety Officer

Perillo: signs for safety and direct to local attractions (small $ for big, quick return); J Street  drain- levee- big safety priorities; Museum; Library system; Street repairs; Solicit private matching funds for Meas. “O” expenditures; gopher control;

Flynn: Street repair #1 consensus priority- $2MMm + $20MM bond; Gullwing Museum; Library

For perspective, 2012-13 expenditure allocation was:

Parks and open space $2,214,229

Traffic & road improvements   $5,621,197

Recreation & youth programming  $768,037

Other community improvements       $68,930

Total                                            $13,468,536

The balance available is $14.8 MM, $9.8 MM to be appropriated, leaving almost $5MM up for grabs.

There is a pretty good summary of the original presentation in the agenda, or if you can spare 4 hours, watch the meeting video.

Long-term financing review (Agenda: O-2)

This was not discussed at the meeting, but after months of Council Member requests for a recap, a report showed up with this week’s agenda, detailing about $440 million in long-term debt, larger than the entire Oxnard City budget.  This would be less of a concern if the trend wasn’t sharply upward. Matters under discussion  the last few months suggest that will continue to be the case.

Killings by Police

Resident Elliot Gabriel and others spoke of their serious concerns over deaths of residents at the hands of police. In each case, these were related to legitimate law enforcement activity, but under questionable circumstances. Francesco Romo spoke of a peoples’ tribunal held, which resulted in conviction.  They were planning a march on Sunday (which occurred) to highlight the problems and demand action.

The VC Star published a major feature article on the situation Sunday, Oct. 13, by Gretchen Wenner.  Major questions need resolution. Still no conclusion to the Limon killing investigation of the situation where an innocent civilian was killed by multiple officers under questionable circumstances last year. Some residents feel that the investigation method, results and lengthy delays are unsatisfactory and voiced concerns for their own and family/friends’ safety. They want an independent investigation.

Other

The Fire Station #8 cost and need was discussed again. The huge escalation to $22 million from from original estimates of $4MM  has never been adequately explained, nor the approach of using lease vs. purchase.  The question is, have lessons been learned and how will they be applied in the future?

Due to time constraints, Campus Park Master Plan discussion was deferred to 10-15 meeting. Many who had showed up were graceful about the delay.

Mental Illness Awareness Month was announced. Mayor Pro-Tem Ramirez remarked that better attention to identification and treatment of illness could help address violence abatement.

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George Miller is a “retired” operations management consultant and a Citizen Journalist, active in civic affairs, living in Oxnard.