- We approved an update to our municipal code regarding language update to the housing section requested by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The updates were intended to bring our municipal code more current and in compliance with various changes in the law. This is at leaset the third update based on feedback from HCD so hopefully this is sufficient that our Housing Element can be approved. As this is an ordinance change, last night was the first reading. A second reading is required before it can be placed in effect - after which we can submit the update to HCD.
- We had an extensive discussion about both deferred maintenance items, and potential one time expenditures targeted for FY27. Historically our general fund reserve has grown steadily, with signficant increases as a result of ARPA funding during the pandemic. And while maintaining a reserve for unforseen circumstances is prudent, this has to be balanced against regular operations. Unfortunately that balance shifted too far away from ongoing maintenance and there is a lot of work to be done to catch up.
The City is responsible to maintain a wide varienty of assets, including our library, roads, parks, sidewalks, trails, etc. Everything under the City's control requires regular and periodic mainenance to be kept in good working order. What I identified in 2019, and unfortunately what is still true today, is that there is not a schedule or inventory of these maintenance related items. How often should the Library be painted? How often should we perform an assessment of trees along our trails to determine if they need work? The approach that has been taken in large part is ad hoc in nature. If an issue arises, then the City takes action.
Because there isn't a regular schedule and things are addressed ad hoc, this means that often times regular maintenance doesn't occur. Things like minor road work like the bumps in between lanes on our roads, or more serious matters like line markings at various intersections just get missed over time. With new leadership, comes new approaches to issues. Staff brought forward last night a list, not comprehensive, or a number of these types of items that haven't been addressed but need to be. Council gave direction to staff to proceed with haste on bringing us more current with all maintenance items.
This work ranges from general City beautification in areas such as weed abatement and tree trimming, to general safety issues like curb painting and road signs and markings, to infrastructure improvements like sidewalk repairs and new sidewalks.
We also directed staff to include a number of one time spend items for an updated FY27 budget. We are looking to increase security at our facilities, update our emergency preparedness, and even expand the capacity of our baseball fields. These reserves were built up with tax dollars, and are meant to be used for the benefit of the community.
We simultaneously directed staff to assemble an actual schedule of activities, or a workplan so that the community can be aware of what work is going on, what is planned, and when.
