Council Looks to Past and Future in Passing $318.6 Million Budget

By Jorge Casuso

The past and the future were the final beneficiaries of Santa Monica's $318.6 million budget Tuesday night, as the City Council voted to fund schools, childcare, a playground and the preservation of historical images.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District was the big winner, walking away with $3.1 million in one-time funds, some of which will likely be used to beef up the district's bare bones budget reserve.

"Many members of the community, including me, wish we could give more to the district, but we don't spend money until we have it," said Mayor Ken Genser. "This is what we can give at this time. I know the district will use discipline."

After hearing pleas for money from 75 members of the public, the council spent nearly three hours grappling with how to spend the final $250,000.

As the clock ticked towards 1:30 a.m., the council voted to grant $195,000 in childcare subsidies to be administered by Connections for Children and $55,000 to complete a playground upgrade at the Children's Place.

The childcare funds are expected to serve 60 low-income children and make a dent in a persistent waiting list that has remained stagnated at 300 for years.

"This is a big, big budget, and it's been a wonderful process," said Councilman Kevin McKeown. "This is a chance to reinforce our commitment to education and childcare."

The council looked to the past as well, earmarking $20,000 to help the Santa Monica Historical Society preserve some of its 200,000 images.

The council also directed staff to add several objectives to the budget. They include analyzing options for additional parking downtown, institutionalizing the city's updated logo and providing multiple platforms for computers in public spaces.

The council also made it a high priority to conduct an environmental review for a proposed pier ramp and the widening of the pier bridge.

"The pier has been crying for a solution for years," said Councilman Robert Holbrook. "We need to get that up on the plate somewhere."

City Manager Susan McCarthy kicked off the 6 ½-hour marathon session by outlining the council's budget priorities, which she said "could consume many times our spending potential."

"The level of service proposed is sustainable in the long term," McCarthy said. "You and future council members should not be faced with the difficult task of reducing service to our community."

The five budget priorities were set during public hearings and three budget study sessions. They are:

· Education: Services to youth and families will receive $15.5 million, with $11.5 million of that in ongoing support. The city also will help the community raise money for arts and music education in the public schools and lobby the state and federal governments for more funds.

· Affordable Housing: The council earmarked $25 million to construct, purchase and rehab approximately 229 units. The amount includes money advanced from other city funding sources and which must be repaid.

· Quality of Life/Neighborhood Livability: Nearly $8 million will go to fund objectives of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan, including funds to build fields at the airport, expand Virginia Avenue Park and design restroom improvements. Concerns expressed by residents of the Pico and South Beach neighborhoods will be addressed with close to $500,000.

· Mobility: The city will use money to persuade motorists to leave their cars behind and ride the Big Blue Bus, to test methods of managing traffic in the congested downtown and pier areas and to manage the effects on Lincoln Boulevard of development underway south of the city limits. The city also will continue its efforts to make crosswalks more visible, educate drivers and pedestrians and enforce traffic laws.

· Sustainability/Environment: The city will make organizational changes to strengthen the Environmental Programs Division and fund the implementation of the Green Building guidelines, new energy initiatives, the promotion of sustainability in the business community, underground tank mitigation and water conservation methods. Provision also has been made for the potential implementation of a living wage measure covering City contractors and employees.

Unlike previous budget sessions, the council members made no speeches before or after casting their votes, reserving their comments for the three hours of debate that led to the final decisions.

The most hotly contested item was the School District funding, with Councilman Paul Rosenstein lobbying to attach strings to the $3.1 million one-time grant.

"I think that more than ever, it's irresponsible of us to basically send blank checks to the school district," said Rosenstein, referring to repeated budget shortfalls he said have eroded the district's credibility.

The other council members disagreed, continuing an argument that has been going on for months.

"I think we're crossing the line as a council telling them how to spend money," said Councilman Michael Feinstein.

"I don't want to cross that line and say, 'This is what you have to spend it on,'" said Councilman Richard Bloom. "The district's budget is a moving target. That alone is the reason to give them that discretion."

"I think there is a serious level of public scrutiny that will continue," said Council member Pam O'Connor. I think the school district has gone a long way in communicating with the community."

The school-funding vote was 5 to 1, with McKeown recusing himself because he has a contract with the district.

There was unanimous agreement to give the Historical Society $20,000 to help preserve more than 200,000 donated negatives. The council wanted to act quickly because the subject of many of the pictures - which are being digitized - have not been identified and there is hope than some of the older members of the community can help.

"I greatly value this city's past, and I'm concerned that collection of negatives isn't getting out to the public quickly enough," McKeown said.

"We are very impressed by the progress that's been made in preserving the photographic collection," said Barbara Stinchfield who heads the city's Department of Community and Cultural Services. "There were many more photographic negatives in each folder than they thought.

"It's very tedious work," Stinchfield said. "More staff hours could speed up the process and make community access happen quicker."

Efforts by Holbrook to earmark $5,000 for the Santa Monica Symphony and $10,000 for the California Heritage Museum on Main Street failed after the council decided not to dip into its budget reserves.

"Small incursions into the reserve can encourage more incursions," Bloom said. "That sets a dangerous precedent. Are we not sending the message that we can do it for more and more things?"

A strong lobbying effort by advocates of a proposed Disabilities Commission failed to garner support to fund a part-time staff member.