Below is a recap of the community's key issues and formal responses provided by the City of San Fernando. Click here to download the meeting's audio file.
Community members can direct their further questions and concerns to the City via e-mail or by calling San Fernando City Hall at (818) 898-1201.
BUDGET, COMPENSATION, FINANCES AND PROPERTY TAX
| 1 The Lopez Adobe is a community landmark that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. |
| ISSUE: |
Where can I find information on City employee and City Council salaries? |
| RESPONSE: |
You can find it here. |
| ISSUE: |
There should be a moratorium on City employee wage increases. |
| RESPONSE: |
Employees of our general, management and part-time bargaining groups will not receive wage increases through fiscal year 2012. All requests for future increases will be considered only if the City's General Fund reserve meets a minimum of 10% or $1.7 million after expenditures. That reserve amount, as of June 30, 2010, is estimated at $146,000.
Effective January 1, 2011, employees of our police bargaining unit will receive a 2% cost of living adjustment (COLA). This increase was negotiated after the unit agreed to a number of concessions in July 2009 that included among others, the deferral of a previously negotiated 2.5% annual COLA through July 2011.
Click here to view the City's negotiated bargaining unit contracts. |
| ISSUE: | The City's budget format should include figures spanning five years back. |
| RESPONSE: |
Municipal governments like the City typically do not include five-year trend figures within their budget. This is due to changing fund sources, added or deleted programs, and new reporting formats required by law or outside auditors. Nevertheless, the City is working to revamp its annual budget for next fiscal year to include more line item detail and trending information. The City's prior and current year budgets can be found here. |
| ISSUE: |
Why does San Fernando have the fourth highest property tax rate in LA County? |
| RESPONSE: |
Because over time, voters have approved various taxes that support local schools and water systems among others. The city's property tax rate is 1.435%. |
| ISSUE: |
Are City funds being used for the Lopez Adobe preservation project? |
| RESPONSE: |
City General Fund dollars are not being used for the $1.137 million Lopez Adobe preservation project1. Below is a breakdown of fund sources:
- California Cultural and Historical Endowment program (STATE):
| $602,000 (53%) |
- Community Development Block Grant program (FEDERAL):
| $385,000 (34%) |
- San Fernando Redevelopment Agency (RESTRICTED LOCAL):
| $150,000 (13%) |
The City is currently in the process of seeking bids to complete all preservation work by June 2011. The improvements include seismic retrofits, architectural and foundation repairs, and new landscaping to allow the building's future use as a house museum. For more information, call the Community Development Department at (818) 898-1227. |
CODE ENFORCEMENT AND HOUSING
| ISSUE: |
The City needs to do more in addressing foreclosures. |
| RESPONSE: |
Foreclosure prevention workshops have been held and will continue to be as resources become available. Click here for a list of agencies and organizations that can assist with foreclosure prevention. |
| ISSUE: |
Who do I call to report illegal garage conversions and construction? |
| RESPONSE: |
Report the problem to your assigned code enforcement officer. Click here to find the officer assigned to your neighborhood. |
| ISSUE: |
The City should establish a rent control board. |
| RESPONSE: |
The issue of rent control was discussed by the community as part of the process leading to the adoption in 2009 of the City's Housing Element (a component of the City's General Plan). The Housing Element addresses concerns about undue rent increases, unwarranted evictions, lack of proper maintenance and repair of apartment properties and other tenant-landlord issues by providing a local housing mediation service. This service would provide trained mediators to help resolve specific tenant-landlord disputes. Such services are being provided by a number of other communities in Southern California, and the City will be working in the near future to provide this service to its residents. |
CUSTOMER SERVICE
| ISSUE: |
I reported graffiti and it took 2 weeks for City staff to provide a status update. This is unacceptable. |
| RESPONSE: |
We agree and apologize for the oversight. Status updates are provided within 48 hours if so desired - we just ask that you clearly request an update and provide your contact information to the public works dispatch operator when submitting your request. On a related note, if you see any graffiti in progress, report it by calling the Police Department at (818) 898-1267 and pressing "0" to reach a dispatcher. |
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
| ISSUE: |
The City needs to look at ways to revitalize the downtown and auto center areas. |
| RESPONSE: |
The downtown and auto center areas are among the City's top priorities. For the downtown area, we're currently:
- Developing an overlay zone that attracts entertainment uses.
- Amending redevelopment plans to assist the downtown with long-term funding.
- Finalizing a study that identifies national retailers looking to locate to San Fernando.
- Working with downtown landowners to develop a business improvement district.
As for the auto center area, we're ready to expedite private development proposals - a few of which will be considered within the next few months. For more information, call the Community Development Department at (818) 898-1227.
|
NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUES
| 2 Proposed parking zones include review by neighborhood stakeholders, the City's Transportation and Safety Commission, the City Council, and finally an amendment to the City's Municipal Code. |
| 3 The Traffic and Safety Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 117 Macneil St. |
| 4 This is done by: (1) inspecting the light and issuing a work order for the repair of City owned lights; or (2) informing Southern California Edison to repair their lights. |
| ISSUE: |
Does the City have a preferential parking permit program for congested neighborhoods? |
| RESPONSE: |
Yes, the City has such a program and two residential parking zones exist. If you wish to establish a permit parking zone in your neighborhood, call the Public Works Department at (818) 898-12222. |
| ISSUE: |
How can I establish a neighborhood watch group? |
| RESPONSE: |
Contact the Police Department by calling (818) 898-1267 and pressing "0" for dispatch. By establishing a neighborhood watch group, you and your neighbors can learn how to protect yourself, your neighborhood and your property from crime. You can also be alerted of the latest crime trends in your area and be provided with information on other City programs. |
| ISSUE: |
How can I help reduce speeding in my neighborhood? |
| RESPONSE: |
Here's what you can do:
- Report all instances of speeding by calling the Police Department at (818) 898-1267 and pressing "0" for dispatch.
- Voice your concerns to the City's Traffic and Safety Commission3.
- Call Public Works at (818) 898-1222. They can provide information on how to request new traffic signs and speed bumps for your neighborhood.
|
| ISSUE: |
My neighbor allows his dog to defecate on my yard and doesn't remove the waste. |
| RESPONSE: |
Report the problem to your assigned code enforcement officer. Click here to find the officer assigned to your neighborhood. |
| ISSUE: |
Street lights in my neighborhood are dim and some are not working. |
| RESPONSE: |
With nearly 2,000 streetlights to maintain, we appreciate your help in identifying lights that are dim, out, malfunctioning or even obstructed by street trees. You can report street lights by e-mailing Public Works dispatch or calling (818) 898-1293. Our goal is to respond to a reported streetlight issue within 72 hours.4 |
| ISSUE: |
Who do I call to report loud noise? |
| RESPONSE: |
Contact the Police Department by calling (818) 898-1267 and pressing "0" for dispatch. Please remember that all service calls are prioritized. |
SENIOR CONCERNS
| 5 The Senior Advisory Board meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Las Palmas Park Community Center, 505 S. Huntington St. |
| ISSUE: |
There are no new senior programs at Las Palmas Park. |
| RESPONSE: |
New senior activities and programs are introduced every month and notifications are posted in the lobby of the Las Palmas Park Community Center. New events for September include the Fiestas Patrias dance, and excursions to Las Vegas and the Los Angeles County Fair. To propose new events or programs, inform the Senior Advisory Board or call the Community Services Division at (818) 898-7340.5 |
| ISSUE: |
It's too hot in the Las Palmas Park Community Center when senior dances are held. |
| RESPONSE: |
We're checking our air conditioning system to see if repairs or adjustments are needed. In the future, please voice your facilities maintenance concerns to community center staff or call the Community Services Division at (818) 898-7340. |
| ISSUE: |
There is a lack of public transportation to the Las Palmas Community Center. |
| RESPONSE: |
Two public transit options serve the Las Palmas Community Center: the San Fernando Trolleys and Mission City Transit.
- The San Fernando Trolleys run daily using two routes that link San Fernando neighborhoods to key destinations including the Las Palmas Community Center. The fare for seniors is 25 cents per ride and trolleys operate weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trolley route schedules are available at the Las Palmas Community Center and can be downloaded here.
- Mission City Transit also provides San Fernando residents with door-to-door transportation service anywhere within San Fernando, and to nearby medical facilities. Service can be scheduled for travel Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fare per trip is 25 cents for seniors, and all trips must be reserved at least one day in advance. To schedule a trip, call (818) 366-4119.
|
OTHER
| 6 All reviews are conducted pursuant to Section 832.5 of the California Penal Code. |
| ISSUE: |
What are the City's priorities? |
| RESPONSE: |
The City's priorities for FY 2010-11 include a range of projects from water system improvements and new financial reporting tools, to amending critical redevelopment plans and completing the Lopez Adobe preservation project. Click here to view the entire list. |
| ISSUE: |
A civilian police review board should be established in light of reports of a recent taser incident and harassment of day laborers around the Home Depot center. |
| RESPONSE: |
The Police Department already has a review process in place.6 To make commendations or complaints to the Police Department, please complete a Citizen Report. The form can be obtained from police headquarters, 910 First St. |
| ISSUE: |
The former board of the San Fernando Mission Braves football team (allegedly) left the organization broke. Is there anything the City can do so we don't lose this program? |
| RESPONSE: |
The City is not in a financial position to provide assistance but the San Fernando Police Officers Association may be able to help. Contact Lt. Jeff Eley for more information: (818) 898-1258. |
| ISSUE: |
The trolley stop in front of Las Palmas Park continues to take up more street parking. |
| RESPONSE: |
The City is not aware of additional street parking taken by the trolley stop. If you believe this stop or others have been illegally extended (ex: painted curb), call the Public Works Department at (818) 898-1222. |
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