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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/18/1990, C-2 - REQUEST BY THE BIA FOR CITY CONTRIBUTION OF $15,000.00 TO ASSIST IN CLEANING DOWNTOWN SIDEWALKS. �� I�IIIIII�I��IIII � (� „ MEETING DATE: CI O SdT1 LUIS OBISPO Dec.. 1990 BV WMaZe COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT "" "' FROM: David F. Romero, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Request by the BIA for City Contribution of $15,000. 00 to Assist in Cleaning Downtown Sidewalks. RECOMMENDATION: By Motion Approve BIA Request to Transfer $15, 000.00 to the BIA Account for Sidewalk Cleaning. BACKGROUND: For a number of years the BIA has taken the sole responsibility for cleaning of downtown sidewalks with the city contribution being limited to the purchase and maintenance of equipment, and city cleaning of sidewalks in front of its own privately held parcels. The theory behind lack of city participation was that this was a special program of benefit only to downtown and not of benefit to the community as a whole. The BIA contracts for this service, however in recent years the contract price has increased to the point where the BIA no longer has sufficient funds to carry out the program they would like. This was pointed out to the city in a letter from the BIA dated September 11, 1990, attached. DISCUSSION: A great deal of the staining of downtown sidewalks is caused by berries dropping from city street trees, and although city staff has attempted for many years to reduce this berry drop, staff has thus far been unsuccessful. If the staining and debris on sidewalks is caused by a city facility such as trees, then it is proper that the city also participate in the cost of solving the problem created by its actions. On this basis, staff is in agreement that it would be proper to augment the BIA budget for this year. FISCAL IMPACT: The $15,000.00 proposed could be transferred from the 1989-90 operating budget carry-over from the Public Works Department and be placed in a contract services account for the 1990-91 BIA operating budget. City of San LUIS OBISp0 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT BIA Funds Meeting of December 4, 1990 Page 2. Staff recommends this as a one-time transfer and recommends BIA request these funds in its future operating budgets. The Council may determine at that time the appropriate level of city participation in downtown sidewalk cleaning. Attachment: BIA letter APPROVED: ity Ad inistrative Officer y for ey Finance Director &24/blafunds by i_ ev-z f J_ 44" DOWNTOWN SAN LUIS OBISPO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION September- 11,1990 John Dunn, CAO City of San Luis Obispo P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403 Dear John: In reviewing our 1990-91 budget for the BIA, we find ourselves with a $15,000 short fall. This is caused by the increased cost of maintaining our downtown sidewalks. As you are aware, between the activities downtown and the street tree program, our sidewalks have become soiled and stained in their appearance.. Though this appears minor, it , reflects negatively to the public's perspective of an C enjoyable downtown. Because of this we feel obligated to ask the city to assist in .maintaining maintainin the of the city as a whole. general appearance This year the cost of sidewalk cleaning has tripled. Presently, the BIA is funding the basic project, as it has since 1985 when the equipment was purchased, and with the cost increase, our entire- Beautification budget will be used. This leaves us incapable of working with projects such as art in public places, public seating, and other major projects which would enhance the downtown. Please consider our request for $15,000 a year so that we can continue to maintain the sidewalks and at the same time contribute to the beautification aspects of San Luis Obispo. We have an aggressive Beautification Committee with many wonderful ideas. At the present time, we are outlining a twenty-year art in public places program with Jeff Hook which we would like to initiate this year. However, unless the city helps us with the sidewalk cleaning, we will not have the money to move forward with this or any other project. We realize that you are fully aware of the problems, and C that the BIA is endeavoring to rectify the issue within our means, through an aggressive program which has been expedited and will deplete our funding ability within the next three months. P. O. Box 1402, Son Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (805) 541 -0286 This is not an issue we take lightly, nor do we believe it is caused by any one situation , be it street trees, farmers market ( 51 times a year) , water shortage or traffic in general. we do believe that itis a combination of all these factors and ask your support in rectifying this problem. If you have questions or wish further input from the BIA, please contact Becky Hoffman or Monte Lukov to set up an appointment. Sincerely Tom Donat President, BIA Attachments DOWNTOWN SAN LUIS OBISPO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Sidewalk Cleaning Program 1985 through December 1990 Annual Budget• Beautification $5,200.00 Thurs. Night 1,936.00 7,136.00 Five Year Period: Total Budget $35,680.00 Area of Responsibility: Blocks 74 Previous Work Schedule: Days 4 per. wk. Hours 3 hrs. We were able to clean streets only 2.8 x' s per. yr. Background: Equipment purchased; Aug. 1985 Vehicle Loaned Aug. 1985 Vehicle Trade Value_ $5-700.00 City Invested $5,000. 00 City Maintains vehicle and equipment City Uses for own projects We believe this second vehicle loaned Current Program• Work Schedule; 5 to 7 days Hours 3 to 7 hours per. day Shifts AM 6:30 to 9:30 PM 6:30 to 10:30 (no thurs. or sat. nights) Projected Budget: Cost per months $1,589.47 5 days 7 hrs P.O. Box 1402, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (805) 541-0286 plus fuel and oil or aprox. $180. 00 per mo Projected Yearly $21,233. 64 Cur-rent 2 yr old budget $7,136. 00 BIA has spent in excess of this much, out of this years budget todate. This has been caused by Public, Council and Membership complaints regarding the condition of the sidewalks and the potential sanitation problems. We have had to increase the times and days used to maintain these areas and were paying a higher hourly rate up to now. Problem: The problem has many faces; A. General traffic B. Thursday night activities C. Trees D. Lack of water It would be hard to blame anyone of. these factors, but they all contribute their fair share.