HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - January 20, 1993 (60)os
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CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Reconsider Council action on December 16, 1992 pertaining to the Parks
fertilization program.
MEETING DATE: January 20, 1993
PREPARED BY: Parks and Recreation Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council reconsider Council action taken to reduce the
amount of fertilizer purchased by 50%. Further, that Council approve
spending the 1992-93 allocation to purchase fertilizer.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission
held January 5, 1993, Commission voted 4-0 to bring the issue
of continued fertilization of Lodi parks back to City Council for
reconsideration. Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Bob
Johnson has mailed the attached letter to our office stating the reasons why he believes this issue should
be reconsidered.
The Commission is concerned that the Parks and Recreation departmental budget has already been the
one most severely impacted. The Commission is further concerned that we had previously reduced our
fertilization by 50% and feels that the problems caused by reduced fertilization will be overshadowed by
future potential problems that may arise.
Finally, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommends that the budget be reviewed in its entirety
rather them making cuts as an item may appear before the Council on the consent calendar.
Many of the arguments presented by the Commission are included in Bob Johnson's letter (see attached).
The Commission was not pleased with the compromise proposal and felt that our recommendation should
have been to table the matter until it could be reviewed by the Commission. In retrospect, it appears this
would have given the Commission a chance to be involved in this decision. Council may agree that this
is the course that should have been taken. If so, our error was in not seeing this as an option at the time.
FUNDING: The funds are currently still allocated to the Parks Division since there was no
Council action to reduce the Parks budget at the time of Council action.
Estimated additional expenditure of $5,000.
R7inald Williamson, Director, Parks & Recreation
Prepared by Scott Essin. Parks Sunerintendent
APPROVED"-- /k�J• �� 1.G4 oT WTHOMAS A. PETERSON recycled paper
City Manager
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125 NORTH STOCKTON STREET • LODI, CALIFORNIA 95240
January 12, 1993
Lodi City Council Members:
At a recent City Council meeting, a $10,000 allocation for the purchase of fertilizer was
cut tc 15,000.
During the January 1993 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the question
of this cut was discussed at length. The Commission is aware of the tight budget constraints
facing the City of Lodi and is further aware that each Department in the City will have to
participate in cost reductions to balance the budget. We hope that the Council will see the
wisdom of having all Departments bear the pain equally and that no one Department will be
sacrificed for the benefit of others.
We would like to point out that, at the last round of budget cuts, the Parks and
Recreation Department was among the most severely impacted with a reduction of 7%. Most
other major Departments were reduced by 4% or less. A copy of the breakdown by Department
is attached for your reference.
We would also like to point out that the budget for fertilizer had already been reduced
by 50% because of the drought. In effect, this latest reduction provides the Department with
75 % less fertilizer than it has used in past years. The Park system has always been a source of
pride for the City of Lodi and it would be a shame to see a deterioration of the system over a
relatively small amount of money. By putting the fertilizer allotted on only the actively used
fields and areas suggested by the Council, it allows the rr -tainder of the Park system to fall
behind from a maintenance point of view and it may be more costly to repair the problem at a
future date.
We also question if this is to be a recurring pattern relative to this budget or those of
other Departments. It might be baler to look at a budget in its entirety and then consider cuts
if needed rather than striking at "targets of opportunity" as they appear on the Consent Calendar.
We feel confident that the Parks and Recreation Staff are capable of complying with directives
from the Council dealing with percentage reductions and might be in a position to suggest
alternative cuts which, while not less painful, would be more palatable.
.....Continued
PARKS DIVISION RECREATION DIVISION
(209) 369.1251 General Information. (209) 333-6742
Feld/Facility Condition: (209) 333-6744
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Lodi City Council Members
Page 2
January 12, 1993
In addition, we note that the reduction in question was not discussed by the Commission
prior to action by the Council. We would like to be involved as much as possible in the budget
process as it relates to the Park and Recreation Department. While we know it will not always
be possible, we request that we be given an opportunity to review and comment on any future
budget cuts before they are made.
Finally, we request that you reconsider your decision to delete the $5,000 allocation for
fertilizer and allow the Parks Division to spend the money allocated for fertilizer.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Bob Johnson /Ile
Chairman
Lodi Parks and Recreation Commission
BJ: srb
Attachment
cc: Ron Williamson, Director of Parks and Recreation
CITY OF LODI
1992-1993 BUDGET BY DEPARTMENT AND PERCENTAGE OF APPROVED REDUCTION
Department
1992-93 Budget
Reduction
%
City Council & City Clerk
$271,015
$26,635
10%
City Attorney
$165,545
$2,680
2%
City Manager & Personnel
$692,865
$11,765
2%
Community Development
$776,300
$30,675
4%
Finance
$2,060,710
$87,950
4%
Police
$6,685,735
$55,860
1 %
Fire
$3,317,145
-0-
-0-
Public Works
$3,884,180
$140,260
4%
Parks & Recreation
$2,830,035
$196,400
7%
Electric Utility
$28,841,830
$50,425
-
Community Center
$516,250
$15,040
3%
Library
$1,047,680
$21,500
2%
Note: Reductions approved by City Council 1114192
Revised 1/12/93
Lodi Parks and Recreation Department