{"id":1946,"date":"2012-06-09T05:43:36","date_gmt":"2012-06-09T05:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesecretnewsonline.com\/?p=1946"},"modified":"2012-06-09T23:09:24","modified_gmt":"2012-06-09T23:09:24","slug":"city-council-votes-to-cut-community-preservation-and-arts-staff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesecretnewsonline.com\/?p=1946","title":{"rendered":"City Council Votes to Cut Community Preservation and Arts Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The City Council made key budget decisions at its June 5 meeting last week. The basic budget package developed in the three May workshops changed little, but the variations that did emerge are worth a look. They center on staff cuts, funding for Capital Improvement Projects, and two low budget but useful programs\/projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Staffing cuts produced the sharpest divisions and a split Council vote. The job of Community Preservation Officer and an Arts Coordinator post generated the heat. SEIU representatives made eloquent pleas to keep both posts, making three key points. They argued that if reductions were needed, management and workers should share the pain. Why are just folks on the line rather than their up-line superiors at risk? A second argument focused on the danger of losing talent that could not be replaced. Down the road, as one of them put it, you\u2019ll be sorry you lost the expertise these people represent. Finally, they argued for early consultation with workers when layoffs are first considered.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>SEIU didn\u2019t win the day, but their reps\u2019 arguments, I think, had an impact. \u00a0City Council Members Ruth Atkin and Jac Asher were sympathetic from the start. Mayor Jennifer West was inclined to \u201cbite the bullet\u201d and reduce staff now rather than later. But she supported a move to reduce $500,000 set aside for capital improvement projects to $400,000 and to keep a reserve for consulting fees if the loss of the two positions resulted in important work not getting done. She also verbally endorsed the principle of early consultations with workers\u2019 reps if layoffs loom in the future. The final vote, after the dollar adjustment mentioned above, was 3-2 in favor of reduction of the two posts, with Atkin and Asher voting against. The Council also found funds to extend the city\u2019s existing contract for bike messenger services and for development of a \u201ctech corridor\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oversight Committee<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mayor West, City Manager Patrick O\u2019Keefe, and City Attorney Michael Biddle reported on how the Alameda County Oversight Committee is doing regarding Redevelopment Agency projects. This is the body dueling with the State Finance Department over funding for RDA work in various stages of planning around the county, including some important ones here in Emeryville. My read on their comments is this: Finance wants to reel in all it can of RDA funds; the city, through its reps on the Oversight Committee, is pushing back; and the cards are in the State\u2019s hands in this tough game. I\u2019m not optimistic that much can be salvaged for us. At least it\u2019s good to see our city and others around the state putting up a fight. <\/span><\/p>\n

One final comment: The City Council takes its last look at the budget for 2013-2014 on Tuesday, June 19 .<\/strong> It will be a meeting worth attending. I hope to see you there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bill Reuter is <\/span>Resident Member and Chair, Finance Advisory Committee, City of Emeryville<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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