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ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING CITY COUNCIL POLICY 3.04.080 FOR STRONG COMMUNITIES OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, AND ALLOCATING POSITIONS TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE RESTORATION OF LIBRARY AND RECREATION SERVICES
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Approving council policy 3.04.080 establishing the activities and responsibilities of the Strong Communities Oversight Committee;
2. Approving guiding principles for the use of Strong Communities funds;
3. Allocating 26 positions to the Community Services Department for the restoration of library and recreation services; and
4. Authorizing the City Manager to take appropriate actions necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
On November 8, 2016, Stockton voters approved Measure M, a ¼ cent special transactions and use tax for the restoration and expansion of library and recreation services. Measure M will have a significant, positive impact on the residents of Stockton for many years and requires careful planning with input from a broad cross-section of stakeholders. To initiate this process, staff is seeking City Council action regarding requirements of the enacting ordinance (2016-06-07-1212, Attachment A) and seeking input and direction to aid in developing a budget for the funds (Strong Communities Fund). Furthermore, staff has contacted several community groups supporting libraries and recreation and extended invitations for them to discuss their priorities for funds during public comment.
The ordinance requires the establishment of a citizen oversight committee. In establishing the oversight committee, staff recommends adoption of City Council policy 3.04.080 to outline the roles and responsibilities of committee members and to adopt a set of guiding principles to assist the Council in decision-making as it relates to the use of Strong Communities funds. Staff further recommends that the City Council allocate 26 new positions to the Community Services Department (Department) for the restoration of library and recreation services. Allocation of positions now, allows the Department to begin the recruiting process and to meet a deadline of January 1, 2018, for restored hours at Libraries and Community Centers.
DISCUSSION
Background
On November 8, 2016, Stockton voters approved Measure M, a ¼ cent special transactions and use tax for the restoration and expansion of Library and Recreation services. The Measure is estimated to raise between $9.4 million and $11.8 million per year for 16 years and is to be used specifically for the purposes of supporting Library and Recreation services in the City of Stockton. The enacting ordinance, 2016-06-07-1212 (Attachment A), requires a citizen oversight committee be established to annually review revenues and expenditures from the Strong Communities Fund and review the City’s annual independent audit of the fund. This ensures transparency and community engagement in the process of verifying that taxpayer monies are spent as promised. The Committee is also permitted to make recommendations to the City Council regarding those expenditures.
In accordance with Measure M, committee members will be appointed to two-year terms by the City Council and may simultaneously serve on other City committees or commissions. According to the ordinance, the Friends of the Stockton Library, Library and Literacy Foundation of San Joaquin, Stockton Parks and Recreation Commission and the Stockton Parks and Recreation Foundation shall each have the opportunity to recommend candidates for the Committee to the City Council. In no event, may the Committee include more than two (2) members of each of the aforementioned groups.
After reviewing the adopted ordinance and prior Council Policies for oversight committees, Staff developed a policy for the Strong Communities Oversight Committee (Attachment B). Staff recommends City Council approve the policy to establish a clear framework for the committee, including their roles, responsibilities, and authorized activities.
In addition to the Council Policy, staff also recommends approval of a set of guiding principles to assist the Council in decision-making as it relates to the use of Strong Communities funds over the 16-year lifespan of the measure. As community and Council priorities evolve over time, the guiding principles will serve as a consistent framework. Therefore, staff recommends the following guiding principles:
• Restore services.
• Give priority for programs and projects that have high community benefit.
• Improve existing assets wherever possible.
• Focus on under-served areas.
• Leverage partnership opportunities.
To enable the City to restore library and recreation services, staff also requests an allocation of 26 new positions. The restoration of services includes increasing library and community center hours on evenings and weekends, support for sports programs, library programs, after-school programs, homework assistance, and youth programming.
The estimated expenditure from the Strong Communities Fund for full-time and part-time staffing is approximately $2.5 million and will be requested as part of the 2017-18 budget process. No expenditures will be made during the 2016-17 fiscal year. The requested positions are as follows:
|
Classification |
Number of Positions |
Compensation + Benefits |
|
Supervising Librarian* |
1 |
$109,285 |
|
Librarian II |
1 |
$101,826 |
|
Senior Library Assistant* |
1 |
$87,831 |
|
Library Assistant II* |
7 |
$554,561 |
|
Circulation Assistant II |
2 |
$138,908 |
|
Recreation Superintendent |
1 |
$141,984 |
|
Recreation Program Coordinator |
2 |
$180,530 |
|
Senior Recreation Assistant |
5 |
$412,760 |
|
Recreation Assistant II |
3 |
$210,396 |
|
Supervising Office Assistant |
1 |
$88,440 |
|
Administrative Analyst II |
2 |
$216,802 |
|
Part-Time Staff: City Library |
|
$189,223 |
|
Part Time Staff: Recreation |
|
$410,184 |
|
Total |
26 |
$2,842,730 |
|
County Library Funding |
|
$329,300 |
|
Strong Communities Funding |
|
$2,513,430 |
*A portion of these positions is shared with the County and proportionately funded by County revenues
An allocation of positions at this time allows the Department to begin the recruiting process to meet the deadline of restoring hours at Libraries and Community Centers fully by January 1, 2018, based on the following timeline:
• Council approval (April 2017)
• Recruitment planning with HR (April 2017)
• Recruitments commence (May 2017)
• New Staff begin to join department (July 2017)
• Training, orientation, and preparation for new assignments and increased hours (November - December 2017)
• Restored hours begin (January 2018)
PRESENT SITUATION
The passage of Measure M has the potential to significantly improve Stocktonians quality of life for years to come. While revenues will allow for many improvements, they do not guarantee that all needs will be met. Therefore, it is critical that all stakeholders have an opportunity at the outset, and throughout the life of the measure, to voice their opinions of how resources should be used. For this reason, a large cross-section of groups have been invited to attend this Special City Council Meeting and provide public comment. Groups include the Friends of the Stockton Library, Library and Literacy Foundation of San Joaquin, YMCA, Table Community Foundation, Stockton Parks and Recreation Commission, Stockton Youth Soccer Association, Monarcas Academy Youth Soccer, Oak Park Senior Center advisory group, City of Stockton volunteer sports coaches, social service organizations, and many others.
In addition to this Community discussion, Staff is making specific recommendations to approve a draft City Council Policy (3.04.080) for the Strong Communities Oversight Committee, and a draft of guiding principles for the use of Strong Communities funding.
Finally, the work of restoring Library and Recreation services to previous, healthy levels cannot take place without restoring staffing. For this reason, staff is requesting approval of 26 positions for the Community Services Department. These positions are primarily involved with direct public service and are necessary to re-open and provide restored programming at Libraries and Community Centers six days a week, including evenings and weekends. Based on the information received at this meeting, staff will develop a budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year that corresponds to City Council direction and public input.
Staff will return to the City Council to approve appointments of Committee members and receive direction and approval for any operational or capital project priorities.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Strong Communities tax revenues will be appropriate and sufficient to fund 25 of the 26 new staff positions related to restoring library and recreation services. One position will be funded through San Joaquin County, and three of the positions included in the allocation request will be funded proportionately by Strong Communities as well as County funds. Salary and benefits for the Strong Communities portion of these positions are estimated to cost $2.5 million annually and will be appropriated from Strong Communities Fund beginning in the 2017-18 fiscal year. An estimated $6.9-$9.3 million (after employee salary and benefit expenses) will be available per year for additional projects and future operating costs.
Attachment A - Ordinance 2016-06-07-1212
Attachment B - Strong Communities Oversight Committee Council Policy