Tag Archives: Mayor Jeff Ira

Community Update from Mayor Jeff Ira — Structural Change Needed in Budget

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I’m sure the entire community is aware of Redwood City’s serious budget difficulties. Skyrocketing pension and benefit costs; steady increases in operating expenses; flat revenues; a stagnant economy; and the necessity for significant reductions in expenditures. One result is a Redwood City organization with far fewer staff than we had ten years ago. Even while working to generate new revenues and improve efficiencies, we have to address the underlying structural problems with our budget to ensure we’re creating a sustainable fiscal foundation.

A big part of the solution is permanently reducing costs. Using “smoke and mirrors” (think: California) won’t provide long-term financial stability. Temporary fixes are just that – temporary. Using one-time funds, such as reserves or gifts, only delays the need for real fiscal reform.

If we were to use reserves to balance our budget, at the end of three years those funds would be exhausted and we’d still be facing a deficit in the following years. We’ve utilized reserves in the past – under specific circumstances to endure temporary revenue losses, to buy time as the financial tide turned. But today’s situation is different. The “new normal” of the fiscal environment requires significant, permanent structural change in our expenditures.

In the same manner, using bequeaths or other one-time funds for ongoing operations merely postpones the inevitable. Once those funds are gone, they’re gone – but our day to day services must continue.

Such use of reserves or one-time funds doesn’t provide for a solid, sustainable financial structure. It creates a short-term dependence that will unquestionably be followed by a collapse when the dollars run out and we’re left with providing services we can’t continue to fund. That path is simply not sustainable. A permanent reduction in expenditures is the only viable way to lay the foundation for a more prosperous future.

In fact, the use of reserves to support long-term ongoing operations is the kind of fiscal course that could lead to bankruptcy in cities like ours. It’s far more prudent to make the tough decisions now, in order to build for tomorrow. Every Redwood City department, at all levels, is making difficult choices right now. There are no easy answers, but in the long run it’s precisely those tough decisions that will lead toward fiscal stability.

I’m proud and gratified that the Police Officers Association, Police Sergeants Association, and Executive Management Team have made those tough decisions and come to agreements on concessions that will help our long-term finances. They are leading the way, and are good examples of the City moving in the right direction.

These difficult times illustrate the value of giving back to the community. This is the time to work together, get involved, find a passion and interest in the community, and take action: volunteer with a non-profit, help out with a league sports activity, help our Library, or a school, or service club – there are many volunteer opportunities online at www.redwoodcity.org/calendar (sort by “Volunteering”) and at www.redwoodcity.org/opportunities

Thank you,
— Jeff Ira, Mayor

Proposed Bay Plan Amendments

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Like many of you, Redwood City is concerned with the long-term impacts of climate change, including sea level rise and its potential effect on our community. No matter what its underlying causes, potential sea level rise (estimated by some at one-to-two feet by 2050) must be addressed in a coordinated strategy with local and regional governments, other involved agencies, the business community, and the public.

The Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) is a California State Commission formed by the legislature in 1965, whose mission is the protection, enhancement, and responsible use of the San Francisco Bay, and the preparation of a plan for the long-term use of the Bay – the San Francisco Bay Plan (Bay Plan). BCDC’s objectives are accomplished through its authority and efforts in the areas of Planning, Dredging and Sediment Management, Permits, and Enforcement. You can learn more about BCDC at www.bcdc.ca.gov

Over the last couple of years, BCDC has been developing proposed amendments to the Bay Plan to address sea level rise. Redwood City, along with other cities and stakeholder groups such as the Bay Planning Coalition, the Bay Area Council, and others feel that the proposed amendments are burdened with a number of issues of great concern.

In summary, there is concern with:

  1. The unnecessary rush by BCDC to approve the amended Bay Plan/new regulations
  2. Vague language, undefined prohibitions and mandates, unclear authority for application, and ambiguous standards
  3. A lack of incorporation of comments by groups such as the Bay Planning Coalition, the Bay Area Council, and others, into the draft policies
  4. Apparent over-reaching of BCDC authority, in the draft policies, and related potential legislative expansion of BCDC authority and its impacts on local control over local development
  5. Lack of input from local government and the public
  6. Lack of a balanced approach between the State regulatory environment, local control, and economic development.

These issues prompted Redwood City and other stakeholders to urge BCDC to slow down the process of approving those amendments, extend the public comment hearing and outreach period, and fully take into consideration the issues raised by local government. Fortunately, BCDC has consented to this request.

The timeframe for BCDC to take action on the proposed amendments to the Bay Plan is unclear, but they have said that they will be holding a number of special meetings and public workshops over the next few months, and everyone is encouraged to participate in this dialog.

As a stakeholder in this issue, Redwood City will continue to be involved and vigilant of the process, offer substantial input, and keep our community informed, especially about upcoming opportunities for the community to be involved and make comment.

— Jeff Ira,, Mayor, Redwood City

Editorial: An Alternative Site for a New Jail

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Last year, Sheriff Munks indicated that he needed a new jail to address over-crowding. With the courts and the Sheriff’s office in downtown Redwood City, the argument was made that the new jail needed to be downtown. The preferred site was the County Motorpool lot on Brewster.

After several years of community planning and civic investment in our downtown, the addition of a new jail to our downtown was not the type of urban housing any of us on the Council wants. Under the leadership of Mayor Ira, and with the full support of the Council, an alternative site has been identified — on Chemical Way, across the street from our police station.

Local government is more nimble and can move quickly. A lot of effort was spent in working with 4 separate property owners to purchase their properties for a fair price. Sales contracts were written, and the City executed the agreements with everyone’s knowledge and awareness that these contracts would be transferred to the County. Sheriff Munks and the Board of Supervisors have agreed that the Chemical Way site is a viable site for a new jail, and they have endorsed this site at their October 19 meeting.

This is just the beginning of the process to confirm an alternative site for a new jail. The sale of the properties cannot be finalized until the County completes the environmental review process. The downtown site will likely be analyzed as an alternative site during the EIR process, so we must continue to be vigilant. If a new jail is needed and is required to be in Redwood City, the Chemical Way site is the best site.

— Jeff Gee, Redwood City Councilperson

Sign Up Now for PACT

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Registration is now available for the 2010 session of Redwood City’s renowned PACT (Partnership Academy for Community Teamwork) program. The deadline to register is 5:00 pm, March 1st, 2010.

The easiest and quickest way to register is to go online to www.redwoodcity.org/pact, where you’ll also get the details. Registration forms are also available from the City Manager’s office, located in City Hall at 1017 Middlefield Road, or by calling 650-780-7300. Enrollment is limited to 40 participants. High school students are encouraged to participate (waiver must be signed by parent or guardian).

This is a nine-week community academy will provide participants with a hands-on overview of the management and governance of Redwood City, while helping to build relationships that will strengthen our entire community. The 2010 program takes place each Thursday evening from April 1st through May 27th and engages in dynamic and interesting activities illustrating how the City functions. The sessions cover subjects from Public Works to the Police Department, from the City Council to Finance, from the Fire Department to the Library, and more. This is a great opportunity for interested community members to get an insider’s view of where the City is going, become experts on how the City operates, and help to build a great community together.

The objectives of PACT are to involve and engage people in learning about and understanding the operation of City government, and to improve communication between the City and those that live and work here in order to strengthen and enhance the entire community. Participants will learn how decisions are made, how City funds are allocated, and how City departments operate with each other, and get an opportunity to sit down with City Council members for frank discussions of issues, projects, politics, and plans for shaping the future of our community.

Here’s what Mayor Jeff Ira says about PACT: “Particularly during these tough economic times, it’s important for people to really get engaged with the City and with their communities, to learn how things operate and to bring true partnership to how we address community issues. This is a ‘call to action’ for anyone in our community who wants to be more involved and engaged with the City and with each other.”

If you’re already a PACT graduate, then you know what a fun, interesting, and fulfilling program it is — and if so, please forward this email to invite a neighbor or friend to get involved.