HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-2013 council advisory bodiesSection 2
Recommended City Goals
COUNCIL ADVISORY BODIES
S 2013-15 Financial Pla n
Council Advisory Bod y
RECOMMENDED GOAL S
•
December 14, 201 2
~ city of san Luis osispo
COUNCIL ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDED GOALS
TABLE OF CONTENT S
Introduction 1
Council Advisory Body Recommended Goal s
Architectural Review Commission 2
Bicycle Advisory Committee 3
Cultural Heritage Committee 5
Human Relations Commission 6
Jack House Committee 7
Mass Transportation Committee 8
Parks and Recreation Commission 1 0
Planning Commission 1 1
Promotional Coordinating Committee 1 2
Tourism Business Improvement District Board 1 3
Tree Committee 1 4
The Housing Authority did not provide a goal listing .•
•
INTRODUCTIO N
•This document summarizes advisory body recommendations to the City Council fo r
consideration during the 2013-15 Financial Plan process . The goals are listed by advisory bod y
in alphabetical order .
BACKGROUN D
Community input is imperative to the City's budget process . As part of its extensive outreac h
effort, the City Council asks its appointed advisory bodies to provide input as to the most
important projects and tasks the City should pursue during the next two-year financial plan
period. Each advisory body first provides a list of goals independently and is then provided with
a summary of all advisory body goals submitted . This process allows each advisory body t o
consider what the other bodies deem important objectives to be accomplished over the next tw o
years .
REVIEW PROCESS
In 2012, all City advisory bodies provided the initial listing of goals after their October meeting .
The consolidated listing of all recommended draft advisory body goals was sent on Novembe r
14, 2012 for review during the December regular meetings. The final recommendations from
each advisory body are provided in alphabetical order in this report .
GOAL SUMMAR Y
Several of the listed goals appeared on more than one advisory body submittal and are liste d
below :
•Alternative Transportation (Bicycle &Pedestrian Improvements )
o Architectural Review Commissio n
o Bicycle Advisory Committe e
o Planning Commissio n
o Parks & Recreation Commissio n
o Tourism Business Improvement Distric t
•Homeless Issues and Affordable Housing
o Human Relations Committee
o Planning Commissio n
o Tourism Business Improvement District Boar d
•Beautification
o Architectural Review Commissio n
o Promotional Coordinating Committe e
o Tourism Business Improvement District Boar d
•
•
-1-
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSIO N
The Architectural Review Commission (ARC) requests Council consideration of the followin g
budget goals in priority order :
1 . Downtown Concept Plan :
Update and further expand the Downtown Concept Plan with focus on the following :
a.Enlarge and improve Mission Plaza to the Broad Street dogleg .
b.Extend and improve facilities along the downtown creek-walk .
c.Implement pedestrian plaza in front of Government Center on Monterey Street .
2 .Gateway Projects :
Implement three previously-identified City gateway improvements .
3 .Alternative Transportation Incentives :
Encourage using in-lieu parking fees and other transportation revenue sources for th e
development of bicycle circulation and improvements and encourage the development o f
spaces in conventional parking lots and structures to accommodate scooters and othe r
alternative transportation vehicles .
4 .Downtown Beautification &Maintenance :
a.Provide finding for ongoing "maintenance activities like shrub and flower planting in
•
landscaped areas and the steam cleaning of sidewalks to improve the appearance of th e
downtown .
b.Expand the uniform streetscape improvements to other areas .
Why It's Importan t
a.Improves citizens' enjoyment of community .
b.Provides a diversity of experiences .
c.Promotes economic distribution throughout the downtown core .
d.Makes downtown an attractive environment to encourage mixed-use developments .
How to Make it Happe n
a.Encourage public-private partnerships with the Downtown Association and individua l
businesses to take on the responsibility of downtown maintenance .
b.Emphasize low-cost improvements over costly capital projects .
•
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTE E
.On November 20, 2012, the Bicycle Advisory Committee drafted its recommended FY 2013-1 5
goals for Council consideration. The following table presents the Committee's draft goals whic h
are designed to implement Measure Y priorities of Traffic Congestion Relief, maintain the City's
silver level "Bicycle Friendly City" designation by the League of American Bicyclists and mak e
the best use of the City's limited financial resources . Goals are not listed in any specific order .
The Committee recommends that what can be done, should be done .
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Maintain
time
Principa l
Transportation Planne r
position and as the City's
fiscal health improves,
restore funding to 1 .0
FTE .
The Principal
Transportation Planne r
position oversees th e
City's bicycl e
transportation program .
Direct relationship :
Traffic Congestio n
Relief
Also support s
Preservation o f
Essential Services an d
Fiscal Health
-General Fund
Maintain ¼ time
temporary staffin g
position for
Transportatio n
Program s
Implementation and a s
the City's fiscal healt h
improves, restore fundin g
to 0 .50 FTE and make the
position permanent .
This position seeks ou t
and applies for grants a s
well as assists in th e
implementation of th e
Bicycle Transportatio n
Plan.
Direct relationship :
Traffic Congestio n
Relief
Also support s
Preservation o f
Essential Services an d
Fiscal Health
-General Fund
Continue improving th e
maintenance &safety o f
bicycling &pedestrian
facilities
in
conjunction
with
Pavement
Management
projects .
($25,000 annually).
Increases the usability &
safety of bicycle &
pedestrian facilitie s
which promote s
alternative transport .
Including these
improvements in the
Pavement Management
cycle results i n
substantial cost savings .
Direct relationship :
Traffic Congestio n
Relief
Also supports
Infrastructure
Maintenance
- Traffic Impact fee s
Continue
design
and
construction
of
the
Railroad
Safety Trail :
Taft to Pepper.
This goal provides a huge
safety enhancement for a
large volume o f
bicyclists, a safe bike
route to the University ,
schools, & parks :
implements General Pla n
goals to increase bicycl e
use and supports Gran d
Jury recommendations t o
close gaps .
Direct relationship :
Traffic Congestio n
Relief
Also supports Climat e
Protection
General Fund
BTA grants
STIP fundin g
City debt financin g
for constructio n
Fundraising effort s
--
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BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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City Coal
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Continue design an d
construction of the Bo b
Jones City to Sea Trail .
This project continues t o
be a high priority amon g
residents and SL O
County is movin g
forward with their sectio n
of the trail .
Direct relationship :
Traffic Congestion
Relie f
Also supports Climat e
Protection
-
Grant s
Maintain $7,500 i n
funding for Bicyclin g
Safety Education .
Education efforts reduc e
collisions . Also support s
Grand Jury goal o f
promoting safe cycling.
Direct relationship :
Traffic Congestio n
Relief
-
Transportatio n
Development Ac t
(TDA) fund s
Fund the design an d
construction of Bicycl e
Boulevards.
Bike boulevards are
relatively inexpensive t o
construct and increas e
ridership as they appea l
to risk-averse ,
inexperienced an d
younger bicyclists .
Direct relationship :
Traffic Congestio n
Relief and
Neighborhoo d
Wellness
Also supports Climat e
Protection
- General Fun d
- Traffic Impact fee s
Implement multiple lowe r
cost Bicycle
Transportation Pla n
projects .
The City's bicycl e
infrastructure can be
greatly expanded fo r
minimal costs if many
small projects in th e
Bike Plan ar e
implemented .
Direct relationship :
Traffic Congestio n
Relief
Also supports Climat e
Protection
- General Fund
- Traffic Impact fees
•
•
CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTE E
1.Historic Context Statement :
With the assistance of a consultant, complete the Historic Context Statement that has bee n
funded by a Certified Local Government grant ; and as time and resources are available ,
consider updates to the Historic Preservation Program Guidelines to incorporate the Contex t
Statement .
2.Historic Resource Surveys :
In alignment with the City's status as a Certified Local Government, continue histori c
resource survey efforts .
3.Historic District Boundaries :
Following completion of the context statement, examine the boundaries of existing histori c
districts to determine if amendments are needed and seek final approval and funding for th e
installation of historic district identification signs .
4.City owned Adobes :
Focus efforts on the preservation of the La Loma adobe and seek grants and grass roots
efforts to support this effort . Assign this effort to a specific City department outside o f
administration such as Community Development or Natural Resources .
5.Historical tours and outreach media :
• Support the development and implementation of historical tours of the City by public entitie s
and volunteer efforts, employing various media . Utilize these tours and associated medi a
(maps, brochure, podcasts, interactive web based GIS mapping of site-specific historical ,
cultural, social, economic, architectural and archeological information to be made availabl e
to the public on the City website) to support heritage tourism efforts .
•
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSIO N
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) makes recommendations to the City Council and staf f
on how to best address social concerns and human needs in San Luis Obispo . The HRC serve s
as a conduit for input from community members and social service organizations and has th e
opportunity to encourage cooperation and collaboration between nonprofit agencies and cit y
departments .
Why?
A community's moral value is determined by how it treats its most vulnerable members .
Therefore, the HRC recommends to the Council that the support of basic human needs b e
established as a major city goal for 2013-15 .
What ?
Although there are many worthwhile needs such as senior services, hunger prevention, suppor t
for youth at risk and others, given the current fiscal constraints we encourage the city to focus o n
homeless prevention, supportive services and transitional housing .
Homeless Prevention and Transition Pla n
Continue to support a long-term, comprehensive, proactive, sustainable program that addresse s
homelessness and focuses on transitioning children, families and individuals out o f
homelessness .
How :
1.Continue to work with the County and other local municipalities in implementing the Sa n
Luis Obispo Countywide 10-year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness .
2.Support the development of a comprehensive homeless services facility that includes th e
implementation of a Good Neighbor Plan and requires case management enrollment .
3.Balance needs of the homeless population and neighborhood wellness e .g . expanded safe
parking program, transitional programs, meals, etc .
4.Explore ways to increase the affordable and transitional housing inventory using creativ e
financing, master leasing, and purchase programs .
5.Increase the Grants in Aid budget and General Fund support .
•
JACK HOUSE COMMITTE E
•1 .Gazebo restoration :
The Gazebo is an important landmark element in the Jack House Gardens, but has been classifie d
as being in questionable condition by the Department of Public Works . Parks and Recreation i s
working in conjunction with Public Works to submit a CIP for Gazebo Restoration in th e
upcoming fiscal cycle .
2.Bay Window restoration and elevator shaft removal :
The bay window on the south side of the house used to serve the first floor dining room and th e
second floor master bedroom . The bay window was removed and replaced with an exterio r
elevator shaft to serve the resident at the time . Removing the elevator shaft and restoring the bay
window would restore the south side of the house to its original charm and grace . It would als o
restore the missing south light quality to the dining room and master bedroom . Hopefully some
of the funding of this restoration could be provided for through the recent trust endowment fo r
Jack House restoration projects .
3.Annual outdoor maintenance :
To passer-byers and visitors alike, the house appears dirty and dingy on the outside . The
Committee would like to see that it receive an annual cleaning of dirt and debris, including th e
fence that lines Marsh Street before wedding season begins in April . In addition to the annua l
clean, the house should be painted on an 8-year cycle, as recommended by Public Works .
4.Buggy Shed makeover and updating for public use :
The Buggy Shed is an integral part of the Jack House Gardens . Several years ago it had a seismi c
structural upgrade which made it safe for public use . With minimal funding and anticipate d
volunteer work the front half of the facility can be open to the public as a display space fo r
historic artifacts and/or a small meeting facility . The back half of the facility will remain a
storage space for tables and chairs used in the Gardens .
•
MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTE E
In order of priority
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1 .
Maintain part-time
temporary staffin g
position for
Transportatio n
Program s
Implementatio n
(approximately
$38,000 annually)
• This bicycle/transit funded positio n
seeks out and applies for grant s
as
well
as
assists
in
th e
implementation of the Bicycl e
Transportation
Plan
and
Short
Range Transit Plan .
•
Traffic
Congestion
Relief
&
Bikeway Improvement s
• Public Safety Service Levels &
Downtown Improvements
•'/2 General Fund
•'/2 Transit Fun d
2 .
Maintain existin g
service level s
including Evenin g
service .
• Improve
accessibility throughout
the City .
• Federal Transit dollar s
• Transportation Development
Act dollar s
• Shelter and bench advertisin g
• Measure Y
3 .
Develop an d
implement a
comprehensiv e
marketing campaig n
for fixed route an d
trolley operations .
•
Increase ridership, revenues an d
farebox recovery ratios
• Federal Transit dollar s
• Transportation Developmen t
Act dollar s
• Shelter and bench advertising
4 .
Add a Full Time city
staff position wit h
responsibilities for
marketing an d
outreach .
•
Promotes
economic
goals
and
reduces the
likelihood
of fare
increases or service reduction s
• Increased revenue
• Federal Transit dollar s
• Transportation Developmen t
Act dollars
• Shelter and bench advertising
• Measure Y
5 .
Complete physical
infrastructure t o
support convenien t
ridership, including
schedule and medi a
information, AD A
access, lighting, bik e
capacity, electroni c
AVL signage an d
increased bus stop
passenger amenities .
•
Improve
accessibility
throughout
the City.
• Increase convenient bus service .
• Increase ridership
•Capital improvement progra m
• Federal Transit dollar s
• Transportation Development
Act dollar s
• Prop IB-CAL EMA
•
•
MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTE E
6 .
Complete Transi t
CIP infrastructur e
projects includin g
Transit facility fue l
tanks, Transit
facility expansio n
and Transit facility
bus was h
modification .
• Improve Transit system reliabilit y
• Reduce operating costs by reducin g
fuel costs via bulk purchases
•Capital improvement program
• Federal Transit dollar s
• Transportation Development
Act dollars
• Prop 1B-CAL EM A
7 .
Conduct a Joint
Short Range Transit
Plan (SRTP) updat e
for SLO Transit and
RTA .
• Improve Transit system reliabilit y
and efficiency
•Improve Transit system coordination
of services
• Federal Transit dollar s
• Transportation Development
Act dollars
8 .
Support SLOCO G
Coordinated Transi t
Center EIR
• Next step in the process to construc t
a joint
transit
hub
for
SLO
Transit & RTA
•Capital improvement program
• Federal Transit dollar s
• Transportation Development
Act dollars
• Prop 1B-CAL EM A
9 .
Reduce Greenhouse
gas emissions by us e
of alternate fuel o r
hybrid electri c
Transit vehicles .
• Improve air quality • Federal Cap & Trade fund s
• Federal Transit dollar s
• Transportation Development
Act dollars Prop 1 B
10 . Support congestio n
relief and long ter m
fiscal health throug h
transit-supportiv e
land use strategie s
and revising parkin g
requirements nea r
transit routes
• Land use is the most important lon g
term
influence
on
ridershi p
levels .
• Puts land use into more revenu e
producing uses .
• Policy change s
• Municipal code changes .
•
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIO N
The 2012 Adopted Major City Goal Recommendation for the Parks and Recreation Commissio n
is as follows :
Provide for Active and Healthy Lifestyles for our City residents through furthe r
investment in plans, programs and facilities .
Objectives
1 . Commit financial support for recreational facilities, activities and program s
•Increase Ranger Staffing to improve public safety and neighborhood wellnes s
•Implement Sinsheimer Stadium Study Recommendation s
•Construct the Santa Rosa Skate Par k
•Construct lit tennis courts at Emerson Par k
•Fund an update of the Parks and Recreation Elemen t
•Complete the Railroad Safety Trail, Bob Jones multi-use trail, and bike boulevard s
2 . Expand recreational opportunities (for example):
•Form community partnerships to increase sports programmin g
•Build additional open space trail s
•Support Parkway development
•
•
PLANNING COMMISSIO N
On November 28, 2012, the Planning Commission amended its draft goals for the 2013-1 5
Financial Plan and finalized its submittal :
•Increase support for non-auto related transportation alternatives in plan and projec t
approvals as well as program implementation through budgeting priorities .
•Implement the Economic Development Strategic Plan, including a focused attention t o
retail uses in the downtown .
•Maintain a sustainable City budget and level of services by focusing o n
infrastructure maintenance, new revenue sources, and renewal of Measure Y .
•Emphasize affordable housing programs and homeless services and Housing Elemen t
implementation .
•Stress early implementation of the updated Land Use and Circulation Element high -
priority programs .
•
PROMOTIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTE E
The PCC had a lively discussion during its October 2012 regular meeting regarding goal settin g
for the 2013-15 Financial Plan . Consistent with its assigned role, the adopted goals concentrat e
on improvements and enhancements that would make the City of San Luis Obispo an even bette r
place to reside and visit . The PCC did not weigh the goals since the members felt that they wer e
equally important .
Goals
•Beautificatio n
o Concentrate on median beautification and create an "Adopt a Median" program .
o Include all business districts (Railroad, Old Town, China Town) in beautificatio n
instead of concentrating solely on Downtown .
•Create signage for bicycle trails with a distinct look so they visually link together .
Utilize green paint for street marking of bike lane .
•Enhance and increase capacity, awareness, and information about all modes of publi c
transportations in and around San Luis Obispo .
•Support collaboration with local cultural, recreational and competitive sports events t o
drive visitors to San Luis Obispo .
o Establish a process to make event organization and permitting easy, cost effective ,
and user friendly . As a City embrace and facilitate events as much as possible .
•Install proper pedestrian lighting on residential and perimeter streets to increase safety .
Consider implementing an "Adopt a Street Light" program for this purpose .
•Finish the build-out of the directional wayfinding program .
•
•
TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOAR D
The Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) board reviewed its 2011-13 goals and fel t
that they were still valid . The board recommended some updates and additions and the member s
hope that some of the goals will make it into the 2013-15 work program to improve the visito r
experience in San Luis Obispo . The TBID board did not weigh its goals, keeping them al l
equally important .
Goals
•San Luis Obispo Events
Establish a process to make event organization and permitting easy, cost effective, an d
user friendly. As a City embrace and facilitate events as much as possible .
•SLO Airport
Support the San Luis Obispo Airport in its efforts to keep airline services in town an d
assist with marketing efforts to bring visitors to San Luis Obispo by plane . Encourage the
upgrade of the arrival area in the airport as well as the expansion of the regional airport .
•Establish a City shuttle service to outer areas (LOVR, Madonna, Airport) as well as th e
train station to facilitate visits to Downtown San Luis Obispo .
•Increase funding for the Promotional Coordinating Committee in its efforts to promot e
cultural, recreational, and social events that bring and keep tourists in San Luis Obispo .
•Beautification of City Gateways and the City's downtown core .
•Enhance security relative to transient populations throughout the City so residents an d
tourists can feel safe while enjoying activities in San Luis Obispo .
•Increase emphasis on completion of the Bob Jones bike path as a connection betwee n
San Luis Obispo and the beach .
S
TREE COMMITTE E
Tree Committee Goal Suggestion for 2013-15 :
Increase the operating budget and staffing for the Urban Forest (Program 50220 Tre e
Maintenance )
Why ?
To ensure the vitality of our urban forest, where trees are trimmed on a regular basis, trees are
replaced, new trees are planted and all the trees within the city are cared for in a manner that adds valu e
to the city . San Luis Obispo has been a Tree City USA, for 29 consecutive years now since 1983 .
How?
a.Increase staffing by adding a third full time position to the Tree Crew . Three people is the
industry standard size crew for most efficient tree trimming .
b.Increase staffing by converting the young tree care specialist to a full time position . This position
has been a temporary worker for 11 years .
c.Increase budget for one year to purchase a stump grinder for Tree Crew for $30,000 .
d.Increase the tree budget by $10,000 .00 a year to keep up with necessary, tools, training ,
education and operating expenses . The city currently has four certified arborists on staff . All 3
full time positions and one "temporary" worker are certified arborists .
These increases will help to bring the city closer to parity with other cities of a similar population an d
number of trees . The City has almost 19,000 street and park trees that are cared for by the Urba n
Forestry Crew . Many cities with a similar population or number of trees under their care have muc h
larger budgets and personnel for the Urban Forest.