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Redwood City E-News
Building a Great Community Together
Issue #12 ~ July, 2004
IN THIS ISSUE:
*Council Moves Forward With Lean Budget*
*How Your Property Tax is Allocated to Redwood City*
*Fire Department Reminder of Fireworks Ban in Redwood City*
*PACT Applications Available for Fall Session*
*City and Property Owners Settle Eminent Domain Issue*
*Community Improvement Grants Available*
*Lots of Free, Live Music Happening for Summer*
*About Redwood City E-News*
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Council Moves Forward With Lean Budget
At its meetings of June 21st and June 28th , 2004 the City Council of Redwood City grappled with the difficult issue of making necessary expenditure reductions in response to the $9.2 million deficit for the 2004-2005 fiscal year (beginning July 1, 2004). The Council has approved proceeding with the City Manager's recommended budget reductions in the amount of $5.1 million and directed that an additional $1 million in proposed expenditure reductions or new revenues be brought to the Council in three months.
The Council also directed that reserve funds be utilized to close the remaining $4.1 million gap. The actual budget ordinance (the legal document necessary to enact the budget) will be introduced at the Council's meeting of July 12 and final adoption will be considered at the meeting of July 26.
While the required budget cuts are difficult and will mean a reduction in City services, it's critically important that the City adjust its spending to be in line with its revenues. Making the additional $1 million in cuts will reduce the level of reductions necessary next year to address fiscal year 2005-2006's projected $5.7 million deficit.
With $5.1 million in budget reductions (and the possibility of another $1 million cut in the fall) there is an unavoidable effect on City services. Here is a brief summary of some of the more significant community impacts:
- A number of community contracts will be suspended resulting in wide and varied impact throughout the City, including reductions in community events and activities, conflict resolution services for the community, and economic development programs.
- One fire engine will be out of service for two "lower call volume" days per week, putting other nearby engine companies in a more active response role, while maintaining equity with the engine service reductions of nearby jurisdictions, which have automatic mutual aid agreements with the City.
- We will not be able to process many violations of the City's sign ordinance, and there will be delays in processing of building regulation issues.
- The Schaberg and Fair Oaks branch libraries will each be closed one day per week (Schaberg on Fridays and Fair Oaks on Saturdays), the upgrade or replacement of public use computers at all libraries will be deferred indefinitely, and several positions will be eliminated thus reducing the level of customer service and the timely processing of library materials.
- City building maintenance and custodial services, and park landscape maintenance and will be noticeably reduced. While the City will aggressively pursue other means of addressing these needs, citizens will see a lower level of maintenance at all our parks.
- The Human Services Financial Assistance program will have less funding to grant to organizations providing a variety of human services programs, including senior, youth, affordable housing, disabled, and education.
- Fewer music, culture, and arts activities for the community will take place as a result of reduced funding for the Civic Cultural Commission.
- Three of the City's free summer drop-in programs at our parks were eliminated.
- Support staff reductions in the Police Department mean that it will take longer to produce reports, there will be more use of voice mail for answering of business phone lines, and likely other administrative backlogs. Eliminating the positions of two community service officers, one sergeant, and one patrol officer will mean less flexibility in scheduling, less assignments to special events, and less time available for community oriented policing activities.
Please see additional budget information which is available online at www.redwoodcity.org/budgetinfo. The City's complete 2004-2006 budget and related documents are available at www.redwoodcity.org/finance.
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How Your Property Tax is Allocated to Redwood City
A common misperception exists that Redwood City receives all of the annual property tax collected within the City. This is not the case. For example: a house that is assessed ( not market value) at $500,000 pays 1% annually in property tax, or $5,000. Of that $5,000 in total property tax, Redwood City only gets 18%, or $900 in this example, which goes into the general fund. The rest of the property tax goes to the County, the State, school districts, and special districts.
From the property tax received, the City pays for the following functions in the percentages of the general fund shown:
Police Department 35.3%
Fire Department 20.8%
Parks and Recreation 15.7%
Library 7.8%
Community Development 7%
Public Works 1.7%
Transfers - out 1.6%
(to non-general fund programs)
Remaining 5 Departments 10%
(City manager, clerk, attorney, finance, and HR)
It may be a surprise to many that the City receives only this relatively small portion of annual property tax. This illustrates the value that each household receives from that small percentage. Homeowners can look at their own property tax bill and easily calculate the amount that goes to the City (18% of the dollar amount of their property tax bill), and to the various City departments (percentages shown above) - it's clear that the City is providing great value for these tax dollars.
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Fire Department Reminder of Fireworks Ban in Redwood City
We're all looking forward to celebrating the 4th of July this weekend, and the Redwood City Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind you that there is a ban on all types of fireworks in Redwood City.
There is good reason for this ban, as fireworks are the cause of thousands of fires and injuries throughout the United States each 4th of July. The good news is that these fires and injuries are preventable, if people comply with local laws prohibiting the use of fireworks.
The Uniform Fire Code adopted by the City of Redwood City prohibits any type of fireworks, including the so-called "safe and sane" variety. The only permitted use of fireworks is for professional fireworks shows, such as that which takes place at the Port of Redwood City, sponsored by the Peninsula Celebration Association.
Redwood City Police will be on the lookout for fireworks throughout the 4th of July holiday period. Anyone caught in possession of fireworks will have the fireworks confiscated and will be subject to a citation. Fireworks obtained in other jurisdictions may not be brought into or used within Redwood City.
Fireworks are illegal in most parts of San Mateo County, and other jurisdictions share Redwood City's desire to maintain a safe, fun 4th of July holiday and to prevent fire or injury incidents related to fireworks.
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PACT Applications Available for Fall Session
Applications are now available for the Fall, 2004 session of PACT (Partnership Academy for Community Teamwork). The deadline to submit an application is 5:00 pm, August 13, 2004. Applications are available from the City Manager's office, located in City Hall at 1017 Middlefield Road, or by calling 650-780-7300. The application can also be downloaded and emailed from www.redwoodcity.org/pact. Enrollment is limited to 40 participants, who must be 18 years of age or older (a limited number of youth will be accepted - please call for details).
Nearly 150 of your fellow community members have gone through this nine-week citizens' academy and gained a hands-on overview of the management and governance of Redwood City. The program also helps to build relationships that continue to strengthen our entire community. The Fall, 2004 program takes place each Wednesday from September 8th through November 3rd and engages in dynamic and interesting activities illustrating how the City functions.
The sessions cover subjects from Public Works to the Police Department, from the City Council to Finance, from the Fire Department to the Library, and more. This is a great opportunity for interested community members to get an insider's view of where the City is going, become experts on how the City operates, and help to build a great community, together.
Visit www.redwoodcity.org/pact for more information and to fill out an application.
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City and Property Owners Settle Downtown Property Acquisition Issue
The City of Redwood City last month reached an agreement with the Celotti family for the purchase of their land at the site of the future downtown underground public parking garage.
The parties agreed to an all-inclusive settlement of $3 million. With this agreement Judge Quentin Kopp's earlier tentative ruling against the City's acquiring the property is no longer in effect, and the City has since acquired the property. The agreement contained provisions for the City to provide a letter to the Celottis expressing the City's regret for how the acquisition was handled. The Celottis had filed a lawsuit against the City in response to the City's use of eminent domain to acquire their property. With this settlement agreement, that suit is concluded and the matter closed.
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Community Improvement Grants Available
City grants of up to $300 are available for community engagement projects, beautification, neighborhood participation activities, or other projects that bring people together and build community. The purpose of this grant program is to help people to implement their own creative ideas for making their street, block, neighborhood, or community a better place to live and work.
Eligible projects will have a positive impact and will offer an opportunity for neighbors to get to know one another and work together toward a common goal of community improvement and engagement. This program is one way the City is helping people to strengthen the foundation of the entire community.
More information and applications are available at the Office of the City Manager at 1017 Middlefield Road, by sending an email to mail@redwoodcity.org, or by calling the City Manager's office at
650-780-7300. You can also get information and an application online.
Applications will be reviewed once a month and applicants can expect to hear from the City within 45 days of receipt of the application.
Developing a community garden, publishing a neighborhood newsletter, organizing a block-wide beautification project, holding an annual block party or monthly pot luck dinners are just a few ideas - bring your own creative, fun, community-building ideas to the table and let the City help with some of the cost.
This grant program is for small projects - but many small projects together can offer big, positive changes for our community. Anyone with an idea for a community-building neighborhood project is urged to apply for a Redwood City Community Improvement Grant.
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Lots of Free, Live Music Happening for Summer
We're in the middle of summer, and what better way to keep enjoying our beautiful weather than to bring the family and experience some free live outdoor music!
"Live in Downtown" and the Stafford Park concert series promise to make the balmy evenings of summer even more enjoyable in Redwood City. Here are the schedules for our two concert series:
"Live in Downtown" Summer Concert Series
Friday nights - excluding July 2 - from 6 to 8 pm in the City Center Plaza, right next to City Hall at 1017 Middlefield Road, across the street from the main library. Sponsored by the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission
2004 Schedule (as of July 1):
July 9 - Gator Beat - New Orleans Zydeco
July 16 - Dave Crimmen - 21st century Elvis
July 23 - Octobop - West coast jazz
July 30 - Stanford Jazztet - Youthful jazz group
August 6 - California Cowboys - Contemporary western
August 13 - Brass Works- From classic to dance
August 20 - Orquestra Kalichin - South of the border salsa
August 27 - Ron Garriffo - Big contemporary jazz
September 3 - Orquesta de Sol - Lively Latin
Stafford Park Summer Concert Series
Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 pm at Stafford Park, at King Street and Hopkins Avenue, funded in part by a generous donation from the Port of Redwood City and through local business sponsorships
2004 Schedule (as of July 1):
July 7 - Golden Bough - Celtic
July 14 - The Internationals - Bavarian & Polka
July 21 - Harmonics - Steel Drum Band
July 28 - Double Funk Crunch - Disco & Funk
August 4 - E-Ticket Band - Rock n' Roll
August 11 - Jackie Payne & Steve Edmonson - Blues
August 18 - Bob Saul's Big Band - Big Band Sounds
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