Input To Council Goal Setting Process January 2011

1. Input To Council Goal Setting Process January 2011

2. E Volunteer Development B A Transparency Initiative Contract Labor Costs / Pension Reform C D Community Planning / Shores Property Completion Of Major Projects

3. A Contract Labor Costs / Pension Reform Problem: Significant parts of Del Mar’s General Fund budget include Fire, Sheriff and Pension costs. These appear to be continually increasing, taking up a larger part of the budget every year. Unlike other General Fund expenditures, these costs seem to be “uncontrollable” since they are determined by agencies outside Del Mar’s direct sphere of influence.

4. A

5. Del Mar Expenditures A

6. A Contract Labor Costs / Pension Reform Problem: Significant parts of Del Mar’s General Fund budget include Fire, Sheriff and Pension costs. These appear to be continually increasing, taking up a larger part of the budget every year. Unlike other General Fund expenditures, these costs seem to be “uncontrollable” since they are determined by agencies outside Del Mar’s direct sphere of influence. Proposal: Appoint a blue ribbon panel of community financial experts to recommend to the Council strategies that could be used to moderate cost increases in the Fire and Sheriff contracts. Ask the same panel to recommend long range strategies for lessening the pension costs of the City. Implementation: Each Council-member appoint one community volunteer to serve on the panel. City staff provide oversight, and financial data. Two Council-members attend each meeting to provide support. Panel propose work plan to Council. Recommendation due __________.

7. A What about the Finance Committee? Finance Committee Blue Ribbon Panel Review of: City Budget Fairgrounds Purchase Capital Projects Parking Plan City Hall Alternatives Strategies for: Fire & Sheriff Contracts Pension Costs Specific assignment, with time schedule. Reports recommendations, then disbands. On-going, standing committee.

8. B 2011 Transparency Initiative The City of Del Mar has taken significant steps in recent years to improve the transparency and openness of government. The City uses the Web to post all agendas and meeting materials. All Council meetings are broadcast and video taped for citizen review. This initiative is meant to build upon those efforts and continue to improve the two-way flow of information between the City Council /Staff and the Del Mar community.

9. B 2011 Transparency Initiative Problem: There is a perception in the community that the City Council makes decisions without adequate communications with residents and public input. Yet the City has made major efforts to provide information on City issues. The Council should continue a proactive, focused effort to increase transparency and encourage community dialogue.

10. B 2011 Transparency Initiative Council Sub-Committee • Add Regular Agenda Item: • “Comments From Council members, • City Attorney, City Manager” • During this item….. • Members can ask brief questions. • Members can make brief comments. • Any two members can ask that any • matter be agenized for consideration • at a later meeting. • No action or decisions can • be made. • Fully Report Closed Sessions • Before each closed session, describe the limits • of the Brown Act, then describe the subject of • the closed door session. • Strictly limit discussions in closed door session • to subjects prescribed in Brown Act. • Have City Attorney keep basic minutes of closed • sessions, with topics discussed. • After closed session, report basic subjects • discussed and whether or not action was taken. Form a sub-committee to work with Staff to identify additional steps City can take to increase open government sharing of information. • Brown Act • Members or staff may ask questions for clarification and provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information. • Members of the legislative body or staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by persons during public comment periods. • Members or staff may make a brief announcement, ask a question or make a brief report on his or her own activities. • Members may, subject to the procedural rules of the legislative body, request staff to report back to the legislative body at a subsequent meeting • concerning any matter. • 5. The legislative body may …….. take action to direct staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda.

11. 2011 Transparency Initiative B Community Forums Pre-scheduled meetings held in 9 neighborhoods that allow two-way exchange of information. City up-dates citizens on current issues, citizens ask questions and provide input.

12. 2011 Transparency Initiative B Publishing On City Web Site Capital Projects Balanced Scorecard City Council-members’ public email addresses and phone numbers. • Present on web site • current status of large capital projects: • Expenditures to Budget • Percentage completion • Establish handful of basic measurements that reflect successful • City operations. Report quarterly on these metrics to Council and post on website. • Performance to Budget • Quality of Work, Project Completion • Citizen Satisfaction • Employee Growth & Development

13. 2011 Transparency Initiative B Implement Citizen Polling Post City’s Weekly Status Report On Web Labor / Employee Contracts Post questions regarding key City issues on website and allow citizens to answer questions and provide input to Council. • Contracts, agreements for employee • services should be presented and • reviewed in open session before • approval. • Contracts should not be approved • on the Consent Calendar.

14. B 2011 Transparency Initiative Problem: There is a perception in the community that the City Council makes decisions without adequate communications with residents and public input. Yet the City has made major efforts to provide information on City issues. The Council should continue a proactive, focused effort to increase transparency and encourage community dialogue. Proposal: Add “Council Comments” to Council Agendas Fully Report Closed Sessions Form Council Sub-committee to increase transparency. Schedule 1 “Community Conversation” meeting a month in nine neighborhoods over nine months. Post public email address and phone numbers for Council-members. Routinely post project status reports on major capital projects on website. Establish handful of basic measurements that reflect successful City operations…balanced scorecard. Implement citizen polling, where residents can submit responses to questions on key City issues. Present and review progress of employee contract negotiations in open session. Implementation: Appoint two Council-members as subcommittee on Transparency. Identify cost-effective ideas. Bring back to Council for approval.

15. C Community Planning / Shores Property Problem: The City has completed the purchase of the Shores Property. The City now owns and is responsible for how the property will be used /developed. The City is heavily involved in major construction projects, including the building of the Safety Center. City Planning Staff has limited time available. There is a temptation for the City to postpone any additional work on the Shores property until time and resources become available. Many constituencies in Del Mar are now anxious to move ahead with their plans for use of the Shores property. If we do not work with the Community to develop an integrated plan for how the Park should be developed, there will be strong pressure to make piecemeal decisions that won’t maximize the benefits of the park. The future of Del Mar’s City Hall is also unresolved. The Friends of Del Mar Parks, who helped raise money for the purchase of the Shores property, has offered to help facilitate community planning for the Park. Proposal: Allow Friends of Del Mar Parks to spearhead a community effort to prioritize the uses for the Park. Use City Planning Staff for over-sight only. Involve other community groups in the effort (Park & Rec., DMVA, etc.). Conduct community workshops to document ideas, preferences of residents.

16. C 2010 2011 2012 Shores Property Purchase Develop Master Plan What does Community want ? Safety Center Fundraising Safety Center Construction

17. D Completion Of Major Projects Problem: The City has two major projects underway; Torrey Pines Bridge and the 21st Pump Station. We are about to complete drawings for the Safety Center, and hopefully will start construction next year. While our focus is on these major projects, there is a half-built undergrounding project that we have left unfinished at the south entrance of town along Camino Del Mar at 4th Street. The trenching is done, the conduits are in the street. All that is needed for the cable to be pulled and connections made. Then the poles can be taken down, and a major Improvement can be realized. The City ran out of 20A conversion funds half-way through the project. We should not let the project sit unfinished. City Staff is in communications with SDG&E. The are trying to work out a financial solution that would allow completion of the project. Proposal: Designate a City Council member to work with SDG&E and City Staff to develop a solution for completing the Camino Del Mar undergrounding.

18. E Volunteer Development Problem: Del Mar is dependent on active volunteers assisting the City in solving problems, identifying issues, and prioritizing future actions. This often takes the form of advisory and ad-hoc committees, providing input to the City Council. It has been difficult to recruit citizen volunteers to fill committee positions. There has been a steady turnover of people, many of them very knowledgeable and experienced. Feedback from some volunteers has been that work on committees has been frustrating and not a productive use of time. Proposal: Select two Council-members to work with the chairs of Del Mar’s volunteer committees to identify ways to improve the working relationship between the committees and the Council. Identify specific proposals that would improve the experience of citizen volunteers, and indirectly encourage others to volunteer as well. Possible suggestions: Create a skills / resource bank of people in Del Mar through. City Council proactively encourage people to serve. Structure committee assignments so a value-added product or set of recommendations is produced. Ensure City Council receives, comments and follows up with committees on their work. Expand recognition by highlighting volunteers at Council Meetings, in the media, and through awards.