May 21 2019
Piedmont Budget Advisory & Financial Planning Committee
Thursday, May 23, 2019
6:00 p.m.
Emergency Operations Center, Police Department, 403 Highland Avenue
The meeting is open to the public. The meeting will not be broadcast or recorded.
Regular Agenda
1. Update on FY 18-19 General Fund Revenue and Expenditures: Projected Actual vs Budget
2. Overview of FY 19-20 Budget
3. Review of Ten Year Projections and Long Term Pension and General Fund Projections
4. Review of Facilities Maintenance Fund Projections
5. Discuss FY 18-19 Year End General Fund Transfers
6. Discuss the Process for Reviewing Parcel Tax Renewal
Meeting back up materials have not been publicly distributed.
The City Council on May 20, 2019 held the first of the two Public Hearings on the FY 2019-20 Budget. There were no comments from the public at that Hearing.
Presentation by Finance Director Michael Szczech at the May 20, 2019 Council Public Hearing. >Budget_Council_MTG_May 20_2019_PP
Contacts and Members of the Piedmont Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee
Roster *
Council Liaison: Mayor Robert McBain – rmcbain@piedmont.ca.gov – (VM) 420-3048
Staff Liaison: Finance Director Michael Szczech – mszczech@piedmont.ca.gov – (W) 420-3045
Committee Members:
Cathie Geddeis
Bill Hosler
Deborah Leland
Christina Paul
Maya Rath
Michael Reese
Frank Ryan
Alternate:
Chris Kwei
*Updated: May 22, 2019
May 18 2019
May 20, 2019 – City Council consideration.
The original concept of funding a School Resource Officer (SRO) to accomplish the goals and objectives of the grant was fully supported by the Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent. Significant public concern arose during the public process of bringing the matter of an SRO program, which would have been “housed” on the school campuses, to the School Board. The concerns were primarily focused on the SRO being armed on campus, a concern about the criminalization for school disciplinary issues, concern over possible targeting of minority students, and the lack of a Health Educator component aligned with the school districts strategic plan.
On February 24, 2019, the PUSD Board of Education voted 4-1 against the SRO model where the position would be housed on a campus. Board President Amal Smith provided direction to Superintendent Booker to continue discussions with Chief Bowers to determine the feasibility of an alternative model which addressed the concerns raised. Acknowledging the concerns and also understanding the challenges and opportunities which exist, Chief Bowers in collaboration with Superintendent Booker agreed to propose the following modifications:
• Instead of an SRO, the Department would establish a Juvenile Officer position which would be “housed” within the police department rather than on the PUSD campus.
On May 8, 2019, the PUSD Board of Education met to consider acceptance of the grant funds available through the modification. Superintendent Booker presented a 2-year plan which contained specific goals and accompanying actions to accomplish the goals (see Attachment #4). The plan included several actions which would be implemented in partnership and collaboration with the police department and specifically, the Juvenile Officer.
Examples of the specific actions include:
• The establishment of a diversion program for youth caught vaping, using drugs or alcohol on campus
• Analysis and implementation of vaping mitigation efforts such as possibly installing sensors which detect when someone is vaping
• Partner in the delivery of classroom lessons identified to meet the California Health Standards in PUSD
Read the full report for the May 20, 2019 Council meeting by clicking below:
05/20/19 – Consideration of the Acceptance of a State of California Tobacco Grant to Fund a Juvenile Officer in the Police Department for Three Years in Cooperation with the Piedmont Unified School District
For questions, contact Jeremy Bowers, Chief of Police Piedmont Police Department 403 Highland Avenue Piedmont, CA 94611 (510)420-3010 jbowers@piedmont.ca.gov.
READ the entire agenda by clicking below:
http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/html/govern/agendas/2019-05-20.pdf
May 18 2019
ECONOMIC FACTORS AND NEXT BUDGET
General Fund
Over 60 percent of the City’s general revenue sources are property related. One of the critical sources of General Fund revenue is the voter approved parcel tax which represents approximately 7% of the General Fund revenues and provides discretionary funding to maintain essential services.
In November 2016, Piedmont voters approved a four year extension and increase of the parcel tax, which will run from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2021. The additional funds will assist with facilities maintenance and the modernization of information technology systems.
Another critical source of General Fund revenue is the real property transfer tax, which is realized when homes are sold. During this fiscal year, real property transfer tax represents approximately 12% of General Fund revenues, the same as compared to last fiscal year. Real property transfer tax is an area to be monitored as tax receipts will fluctuate as they are dependent on the strength of the real estate market in Piedmont.
In FY 2017-18, revenues in excess of the budgeted amount was transferred to the Facilities Maintenance and the Pension Rate Stabilization Funds.
The City’s salary and benefit costs represent approximately 69% of the General Fund and the employee agreements from 2017 provided for salary increases, but required employees to continue contribution to pension and medical costs.
Sewer Fund
On August 4, 2014, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issuing a negotiated Consent Decree (CD). The CD is intended to provide an expanded period of time (21 years) to allow the City to rehabilitate the sewer systems in order to substantially reduce the amount of infiltration and inflow (I&I) in the EBMUD system.
The City restarted Phase V preliminary work and has completed the 100% design documents and has submitted State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) loan documents since the State provides funding with low interest rates. The SWRCB granted the loan and construction began in the summer of 2017 and was completed in the fall of 2018.
READ the entire Audit by clicking below:
05/20/19 – Receipt of the FY 2017-2018 Audited Financial Statements
READ the May 20, 2019 agenda by clicking below:
http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/html/govern/agendas/2019-05-20.pdf
May 18 2019
General Fund and Sewer Taxes along with fees proposed to move upward.
The City Charter requires that a public hearing be held prior to adoption of the budget, the levy of the Municipal Services Special Tax, and the proposed levy for the Special Municipal Sewer Tax. This is the first of two scheduled public hearings, with the second hearing to be held on June 3, 2019. Following the June 3, 2019 public hearing, staff is recommending that the City Council consider adoption of the budget and levying the taxes.
READ the entire budget proposal for the May 20, 2019 FY 2019-20 and view proposed taxes and fees by clicking below:
05/20/19 – PUBLIC HEARING Regarding the Proposed Budget and Fee Proposals for FY 19-20 and the Levy of the Municipal Services Tax and Sewer Tax
READ the agenda for the May 20, 2019 Council meeting by clicking below:
http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/html/govern/agendas/2019-05-20.pdf
May 18 2019
The Piedmont City Council is recommended to approve joining a coalition of local governments organized by Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) in opposition to the proposed FCC Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule, authorize the filing of comments on behalf of the City of Piedmont in FCC rulemaking proceedings, and authorize the City Administrator to execute a retainer agreement in an amount not to exceed $2,500.
READ the staff report for the May 20, 2019 Council meeting by clicking below:
05/20/19 – Authorization to Join a Coalition to Oppose Proposed FCC Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule and Authorize Comments in Response to Rulemaking
READ the May 20, 2019 agenda by clicking below:
http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/html/govern/agendas/2019-05-20.pdf
