Recreation & Park Budget Hearings 2002
Hosted by The Neighborhood Parks Council for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department
Districts 8, 9, 10 and 11 Park Planning Committee Meeting
January 30, 2002
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70 people in attendance
I. Welcome and Introductions - Elizabeth Goldstein, RPD and Isabel Wade, NPC
Elizabeth Goldstein: Welcome to the 2002 Budget Hearings for Supervisorial Districts 8, 9, 10 and 11. Each District's PROSAC representative was introduced: Joanie Levy - District 3, Laura Cuvaluzzo and Franco Mancini - District 8, Jean Dara - District 9, Jill Fox - District 10, and Mary Harris - District 11.
Isabel Wade: Tonight RPD will present the budget as they will present it to the RPD commission. They will provide budget and staffing information by district and facility as well as the district demographics which have been compiled by the Neighborhood Parks Council.
Thanks to PROSAC members, RPD, NPC and especially Mary King-Gorwky for providing details in this years budget. This will be a challenging year for our communities, since RPD's budget is down this year.
Elizabeth Goldstein: Introduction of RPD's staff and PROSAC representatives.
II. Budget Overview - Mary King-Gorwky, RPD
Where does the R&P Budget come from?
RPD's budget for Fiscal Year 2001-02 is $142.4 million. These revenues are received from the following:
- Programs and Services - $20.3 million
- DPT - garages that are located on or around RPD land - $9.1 million
- Open Space Fund - property taxes - $21.1 million
- Bonds and Gifts, including the 2001 Neighborhood Parks bonds - $47.3 million
- Yacht Harbor - $1.7 million
- General Fund Support, which includes taxes on hotel and Pac Bell revenues, as well as any other revenues not earmarked for other projects - $42.9 million
- COLA (Cost of Living Allowance) Raises - $75 million
How is the budget allocated?
- Operating costs include staffing, contractual services, and neighborhood services such as after school programs and maintaining natural areas.
- Capital costs are long-term costs such as deferred maintenance.
- Neighborhood Services: costs $77 million and earns $10 million
- General Fund: costs nothing and earns $42 million
- Zoo: costs $21 million and earns $7 million
- 3Com Park: costs $4 million and earns $7 million
Revenue by Fiscal Year:
- 00-01: $85 million
- 01-02: $100 million
- 02-03: $65 million (anticipated)
- There were no Zoo bonds issued this year, which accounted for $17 million in a previous year.
- 00-01: $125 million
- 01-02: $131 million
- 02-03: $110 million (anticipated)
- 00-01: $40 million
- 01-02: $40.5 to $41 million
- 02-03: $40.5 to $41 million
- 00-01: 1,161.20
- 01-02: 1,177.06
- 02-03: 1,177.06 *
FTE numbers may be fractional because of time spent at more than one worksite by the RPD staff.
Where do emergency funds come from?
- A certain amount of money funnels through the Controller's Office and is stored in the City's General Fund. It is not budgeted annually. The City is self-insured and has a litigation account.
- General Fund revenues and expenditures: priorities will be set so revenues can increase and expenditures will decrease.
- COLA adjustment: up approximately 2.5%
- GF Staff COLA: up $2.1 million
- Operating costs: Expected 1.7%, or $2.681 million savings. Potentially 10% of GF support.
- Parking garage revenue: down $900 thousand
- Revenue from tourist destinations, including admissions and concessions: down $400 thousand
- Revised permit and fee structure revenues are expected to increase.
- Open Space: up $1.6 million
- Gift Funds: $850 thousand
- OS Staff COLA: up $536 thousand
III. Budget Process Timeline
- Public Budget Hearings are scheduled for January 30th, February 4th and February 6th, 2002.
- February 7th - The draft budget and community comments will go to the RP Commission, along with the community feedback.
- February 8th - February 19th - Budget revised
- February 20th - The Mayor will receive the proposed/revised budget.
- April 1st - The preliminary budget heads to the Board.
- April/May - BOS budget meetings
IV. Explanation of RPD's District Facilities Overview Document
Provided document contains information on each district's size, budget allocations, facilities, operating budget breakdowns, total staff by class and title, capital project status reports, and demographic data.
V. Capital Budget Process Timeline - Gary Hoy, RPD
- January 18th - CAIC received the proposed budget
- February 17th - Proposed budget will be sent to the RPD Commission
- March - CAIC of the GF capital budget
- April - CAIC review of Capital projects
- Neighborhood Parks Bond - $10.52 million; down from last year's $24.2 million
- Zoo Bond - $0; down from last year's $13.5 million
- GGP Bond: $0; down from last year's $2 million
- Union Square Park: Unknown; was $2.4 million in FY 01-02
- Conservatory of Flowers: $0; down from last year's $2 million
- Other project costs are similar to FY 01-02.
- Total FY 01-02: $57.46 million
- Total FY 02-03: $23.54 million
The Capital Plan adopted in 2000 is still on track, though parts have been delayed.
On March 5th, the State will put forward a new $2.6 billion dollar fund. Proposition 40 could bring $45 million to San Francisco.
VI. Thanks and Recommendation - Isabel Wade
Vote for Prop 40. Check out their website at www.yesonprop40.com.
Thanks to the RPD for preparing the budget analysis.
VI. Questions and Comments from the Audience
COMMUNITY REQUESTS:
Mission Pool:
David Van Demmel, Co-Chair of Advisory for Mission Pool:
We have a petition with over 150 signatures, mostly from lap swimmers (adults). City pools are services for the community. The Mission Pool is an oasis in the city. Obstacles for operation include cold water, uneven lighting, and ADA accessibility. These are now under construction. In 2001, a supplemental boiler was installed. Over 2 years, the City has spent $700,000 for improvements. We should make better use of our investment. The pool shuts down in the winter months. We consider this a gross under usage of a great recreational resource. Please keep the pool open longer. $21,000 per month for a few more months per year would cover the costs of keeping the pool open. This is the only outdoor pool in the city and the only pool in the Mission.
Two community members seconded the support for Mission pool. It is unique because it is outdoors. Some adult swimmers are willing to pay more to use it, but we would like to keep costs down for kids. It should be geared towards use for families.
Many children's summer programs include swimming at Mission pool and Garfield Park. Soccer fields are critical for kids, too. A girls' soccer program was just started.
Glen Park:
The two Hardball Diamonds are unusable for months at a time because of poor drainage.
Coleman Advocates for Youth:
A parent asks that latchkey programs and youth leagues not to be cut.
EG : Neighborhood services are important to families and depended on by children. If their budgets are cut, then team sports and latchkey programs get cut.
McLaren Park:
Some people feel that McLaren Park is underutilized, but I don't. I feel it has a very diverse group of users and nothing associated with it should be cut.
We think equipment maintenance is very poor. The waiting periods are too long.
Illegal dumping is a problem there, too. We need more trashcans. A bulletin board should be put up to promote volunteerism. Now, it is difficult for prospective volunteers to find information.
STAFFING REQUESTS:
- McLaren Park and Visitacion Valley need more gardeners.
- Dolores and Garfield Parks' soccer fields need maintenance.
- The baseball fields at Balboa Park need repairs.
- McLaren Park needs more gardeners.
- EG: The Greenway Project's lack of staffing has stalled the project. We are sitting on funds we have raised. Capital Projects logjams are a problem, but we hired staff in November 2001. Stalled projects are beginning to get back on track. All FTE's shown on the list are filled.
EG: Something has to be cut - what will it be? We're trying to maintain service delivery in the field. Think about your facilities. Which services are underused? Which are integral? Could hours be adjusted to make the most of them? The public is needed in the decision making process.
- Programs, especially those for youth, could generate more revenue if they verified San Francisco residency. Many non-residents now use them without contributing taxes for their operation.
- During the International Rugby Games at Balboa Park, people park their cars everywhere and the cars often get towed. Could attendees park at the CCSF reservoir lots and pay to take a shuttle to the park?
- To gain revenue, RPD could rent space to non-profit organizations looking out for a home.
- We should promote greater use of volunteers.
- Marina boat slips have a 15-year waiting list because their rents are way below market value. We could raise rents in order to generate funds.
- If additional boat slips were built in the Marina, rent could be charged on them. Parking fees could be charged as well.
- RPD staff is being asked to buy less expensive equipment.
- A sliding scale fee system could be used.
- As a community member, I feel that RPD is very important for latchkey programs. If not for these programs, kids would be home alone or on the streets. Sliding scale is fine, but these programs need to stay affordable for everyone.
- Don't let our parks be privatized.
- As a dog owner, I would like to see RPD reach out and include us, rather than relegating us to a few unpleasant parks.
- Dog owners can be made to pay more for some off-leash areas. They can also contribute towards maintenance.
Are cuts being made across the board?
- We are looking for smart cuts, where impact will be lessened. We can increase fees where possible. We would like to see smarter use of programs and facilities.
- It is in-house. Unfortunately, turn-around times are not quick enough.
- RPD is revising the permits process fee structure.
- Unfortunately, there are no guarantees. The public needs to inform their community leaders of their priorities.
- The RPD is currently involved in 77 projects. Everything must be prioritized. Public input is needed. Communities should get involved with the RPD decision-making process. Contact RPD to have your voice heard.
- The planning process on Kaufman Pool is starting next week. We expect six months of planning, one year of design, then construction.
- St. Mary's Dog Park is in the final stage of construction. Sod is being installed and will about four to five weeks to take root. It should be opening very shortly for use.
VII. Closing Remarks - Isabel Wade and Elizabeth Goldstein
David Graves, a longtime friend of McLaren Park, passed away last week. A memorial service will be held noon on Sunday at Roundhouse Street. This is a great loss for community advocacy.
We would like to thank everyone for attending. Please tell your friends and family to join our other sessions next week. Anyone interested in Park and Recreation issues in their neighborhood should contact Vidya at the NPC: (415) 621-3260 and get involved with the District Park Planning Program currently running in each district.
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