HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-2013 ac PH 1 Grimes 2Goy dwin, Heather
From: Grimes, Maeve
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:48 AM
To: Goodwin, Heather
Subject: FW: Public Comment on Budget Considerations
Heather,
Please distribute as Agenda Correspondence for tonight's meeting, for Item PHI.
Thank you.
m wve kenncoy crimes
City Clerk
city of san lulls onispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
phone: (805) 781-7102
crnmL• mgrimes@slocitv.org
From: Greg and Mary Bettencourt fmailto:gmbett2charter.net]
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2013 11:04 PM
To: Grimes, Maeve
Subject: Public Comment on Budget Considerations
RFCEIVED
,'_1 17 2013
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AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
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Dear Mayor Marx and City Council Members
am writing to provide input regarding budget considerations. More to the point, I am writing to reiterate the support of
those who appreciate open space in general and the Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers in particular for a budget
which provides sufficient Ranger staffing to effectively manage City open space and fulfill other duties. The need for
expanded staffing has only increased since I wrote the letter which I have included below.
We are well aware of conflicting demands for limited financial resources. But we also know that the Parks and Recreation
Ranger staff, as it is now constituted, cannot continue to provide the level of service it currently performs (dealing with
homeless, creeks, open space and trails) throughout the next budget cycle without an additional full-time ranger.
Please see my letter below for more details.
Thank you.
Greg Bettencourt
Director, Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers
gmbett apcharter.net
http://cccmb.org
April 9, 2013
Dear Mayor Marx and City Council Members
I am writing regarding your efforts to adopt an appropriate city budget. Specifically I am asking you to reconsider how that
budget can best provide for sufficient staffing to effectively manage City open space.
Fortunately, city open space has grown and become an integral part of community life in the last 20 years. As you know,
better than most, that growth is the result of a very high level of support from the community. Residents and visitors of all
ages and interests use city open space to enjoy nature, exercise and recreate. Parks and open space are among the
most valued services provided by the city.
Unfortunately, P & R Ranger Service staffing which is essential for the maintenance and safety of those areas has not
kep -pace with the size and demands of the open space. Nor has it kept pace with the city's needs regarding the
homeless and creek clean-up issues.
,As the president of the Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers I can say that CCCMB is proud and happy to partner
with the city to help maintain, improve and expand open space and we appreciate that maintaining the partnership is a
priority for the city. CCCMB fully intends to continue to provide volunteers to support and assist the P&R Ranger
Service.
However as policy makers for and managers of city resources you know that over-reliance on volunteers is a
mistake. Currently the relationship between staff and volunteers is appropriate and healthy. CCCMB worries, however,
that as open space demands increase (as they surely will) and Ranger Service staffing does not keep pace, the reliance
on volunteers will become unhealthy and unrealistic.
It is for these reasons that we urge you to reconsider increasing the Parks and Recreation Ranger Service allocation to
accommodate at least one additional full-time ranger.
Thanks
Greg Bettencourt
Director, Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers
gmbett(o)charter.net
http://ccemb.org