Mid-Year Budget Review:  Overall, the Mid-Year Budget Review of Fiscal Year 2014-2015 was very positive.  Many General Fund revenues are expected to outperform the original budget estimate and departments are holding the line on expenditures.  Actions taken by City Council during the first six months of the year, including leasing the pool to the County of Los Angeles and renegotiating the Fire Services contract, have resulted in a balanced budget.

Additionally, the Five-year Financial Projection for the General Fund has been updated based on the mid-year adjustments.  As the Projection shows, if the City continues on the current course, remains fiscally conservative, and there are no major unforeseen bumps in the road, the General Fund deficit is projected to be eliminated in five years.

Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Budget Calendar:  It's that time of year again to begin preparing for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget process.  Staff has developed a preliminary budget calendar.  City Council priorities for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 will be discussed in late April and budget study sessions will  be held in mid-May.  Staff will work with the City Council to schedule these dates and will post important dates on the City's website once they are finalized.

Avoid Late Fees on Your Water Bill:  Have you ever received late fees because you forgot to pay your Water Bill? Avoid lat fees by signing up for AutoPay and have your Water Bill debited from your account automatically. For more details, , contact the Finance Department at (818) 898-1211.

Financial Reports:  As a reminder, all of the City's financial reports, including annual budgets, audited financial statements, and the Measure A Annual Report can be found under the Finance Department page on the City's website (www.sfcity.org). 

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Shoulder Tap Operation Nets Five Arrests:  On February 11, 2015, San Fernando Police Detectives conducted a "Shoulder Tap" operation at two local ABC licensed off-sale establishments using two minor decoys.  During the operation, five adult males were arrested for 25658 (A) Business and Professions Code, furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Sergeant Arrests Parolee with Firearm:   On February 22, 2015, a night watch Sergeant was patrolling an area where a recent burglary occurred and saw a vehicle parked in front of a closed business.  Upon further inspection, the Sergeant saw an individual inside the vehicle and later determined that the individual was on parole for stalking.  A search of his vehicle, pursuant to conditions of parole, revealed a loaded 9mm handgun.  The parolee was arrested and booked on multiple felony charges.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Public Works Busy Improving Our City:  
 

Sidewalk, Curb, Gutter Repairs (600 Block of Fifth Street) - As you're aware, in January 2015, three Ficus trees were removed at this location due to root intrusion with underground utilities and damage to nearby sidewalk, curb and gutter.  As a result, the sidewalk, curb and gutter in this area required removal/ replacement in order to ensure a safe path of travel for the public and proper drainage.  Our team worked to address these issues last week, removing/replacing the old damaged concrete areas.  Thanks for the quick response!

Water Service Repairs at Harding Street/First Street - Over a recent weekend, staff received a request from a local business to temporarily turn off water service in order to make plumbing repairs.  After an investigation of this location, it was determined that the existing service had deteriorated and was in need of repair.  Public Works crews responded quickly; repairing damaged water service and installing a new shut-off valve for the property owner.  Great work and response by our team!

• Baseball/Softball Field Preparation - All fields at Las Palmas Park and Pioneer Park were renovated in preparation for  baseball/softball season. Field No. 1 at Pioneer Park, which previously had an all grass infield (baseball), was converted to an "all ball" soil field (softball).

• Pilot Solar Lighting Replacement Project for San Fernando Bicycle Path - Public Works plans to replace lights along the San Fernando Bicycle Path with solar lighting due to theft; wires used to operate current lighting system are consistently being stolen. The estimated cost per light is $500. Solar lights will be tested along the Orange Grove section of the bicycle path for a total of four weeks prior to replacing lights at all 60 locations along the path.

Street Patching - Lazard Street, Workman Street, Glenoaks Boulevard:  As you're aware, road repair crews are scheduled to be in town over the next few weeks to complete miscellaneous street patching repairs.  This maintenance/repair work is directed at several of our most problematic and deteriorated road locations (with pavement management ratings of less than 50 out of a total score of 100) in the City.  These patching repairs differ from full road resurfacing "projects" in that they are designed to repair smaller areas of a roadway (as opposed to a full street section).  Staff is also working on a Request for Proposals (RFP) to establish an on-call road maintenance contract for other road patching work scheduled for spring 2015.  If you know of other specific locations that need attention, please contact the Public Works Department.  These maintenance services would be in addition to planned resurfacing projects currently included in the budget.  As a reminder, all of these improvements will be funded using special revenue funds (Gas Tax, Measure R, Proposition C).

• February 11 - 13, 2015: Lazard Street (Fifth Street to Glenoaks Boulevard) - Installation of new asphalt concrete (approximately 1.5" thickness) on deteriorated street sections, and repaint street markings. 

• February 23 - 26, 2015: Workman Street (City limit to Woodworth) and 2000 Block of Glenoaks Boulevard (adjacent to fast food restaurants) - Grind and install new asphalt concrete (approximately 2" thickness) on majority of the street and repaint street markings.