City Council approves grant letter
in Limoneira development agreement
Published:  April 15, 2015

The City Council approved a letter that had been pulled in the past from the revised Limoneira Co. development agreement that outlined the intended use of a public safety grant. But, the approval came over the objections of a councilwoman who questioned the lack of pay increases for police dispatchers and clerical workers in the grant.

Councilwoman Ginger Gherardi was on the minority side of the 3-1 vote on the letter written by Mayor John Procter, who has recused himself from all discussions on the issue due to a conflict of interest.

The issue was brought back at the April 6 meeting and centers on a $750,000 grant to the city to be used to hire, equip and retain police officers.

The grant, first approved by the council in November 2013, will be parceled out at the rate of $250,000 each year, an amount that must be matched by the city. The three-year total of the grant will be $1.5 million.

The staff report by City Manager Jaime Fontes noted projected spending of the grant for the first time: salaries for sworn officers, $573,982; hiring two new officers with “associated hiring and equipment costs”, $560,869; and vehicles and other necessary equipment $235,149.

The report also notes that the council “has authority to negotiate a change to the intended uses of the grant funds,” but any changes would also require the approval of Limoneira.

With Vice Mayor Martin Hernandez taking over the mayor’s gavel, the council discussed the issue with Gherardi noting that the funds had already been accepted.

“The only issue,” she added, “is whether or not this letter (Procter’s) is required … ”

Councilwoman Jenny Crosswhite asked about the source of the city’s match and was told payments on costs to the city’s Joint Powers Agreement insurance carrier would be deferred and a portion of the revenue from the city’s former wastewater treatment plant sale would also be utilized.

After some more questions and comment was offered Councilman Jim Tovias, who first brought the grant proposal to the council, showed impatience.

He noted a timeline of the grant was included in Fontes’ report and all meetings were televised so there is no attempt “to do anything now, we’re just trying to correct a clerical error … if we expect Limoneira to keep their part of the bargain we have to keep ours.”

Tovias made a motion to accept the report but Gherardi disagreed noting her concern with distribution.

“I think the grant should be used for the full police department,” including non-sworn personnel. “I don’t think it would be appropriate to not treat all employees the same way,” and Gherardi said the way the grant was set up was “shortsighted … ”

She noted the union representing police officers and dispatches last year had reached an impasse in negotiations due to total raises of about $18,000 to be split among dispatch personnel over a three-year period. 

That $6,000 a year she noted, “is a fraction” of the $500,000 added annual funding culled from the grant and the city’s match.

Tovias said the grant is a very generous one and “if we make changes this late in the game I wouldn’t be surprised if the $750,000,” pledged by Limoneira “would be taken off the table … ”

Countered Gherardi, “Not unless they want to reopen the development agreement,” she noted had already been approved by the council.

A discussion on how many sworn officers are presently working for the SPPD led to several other questions on the accuracy of the numbers and funding sources as well as spending already taken place that would be reimbursed with grant funding.

Ultimately the city wants to have 32 sworn officers, two less than approved in 2010. 

Fontes said there is also the need for “Some other equipment that has yet to be determined … ”  

After more discussion Councilwoman Jenny Crosswhite said she has concerns regarding the sustainability of grant-funded positions once the money runs out.

But she also noted, “Without dispatchers our officers are up a creek,” and urged that their pay be examined.

After her nay vote on the item Gherardi said her opposition was not against the grant program but rather that other non-sworn police personnel — including clerical workers represented by another union — be compensated fairly. 




Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster