LIVERMORE AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT

 

MINUTES

 

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2008

 

ROBERT LIVERMORE COMMUNITY CENTER

4444 EAST AVENUE, LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA

6:00 P.M.

PALO VERDE ROOM

 

 

 

DIRECTORS PRESENT:            Director Faltings, Director Furst, Director Kamena, Director Wilson and President Goodman

 

DIRECTORS ABSENT:                    None

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:            Chiye Azuma, Tim Barry, Jim Brandenburg, Jim Carlson, Lora Cohen, Maureen Gandara Swinbank, Steve Gregg, Nidia Iversen, Jill Kirk, Rich Lange, John Lawrence, Mike Nicholson, Gretchen Sommers, Brian Tibbetts

 

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Meeting was called to order by President Goodman at 6:02 p.m. All Directors were present except Director Kamena.

 

2.            BUDGET WORKSHOP

General Manager Barry stated that the Board will review midyear Operating and Capital Budgets, calendar and process.

 

2.1     Overview of District 2007/2008 Financial Status, Midyear Operating and Capital Budgets

Mr. Barry and Fiscal Supervisor Lora Cohen reviewed the staff report, which addressed the following items: revenue projections (property taxes, supplemental tax, sundry revenue); expenditure projections (salaries and benefits, group insurance, retirement plan, services and supplies); fund balance update and capital budget review (Little House lot split, renovation of Karl Wente Park, CIP budget adjustments; actual costs of joint projects with the City of Livermore, Robertson Park Master Plan update).

 

Mr. Barry and Ms. Cohen referred to the following back-up materials in presenting the report: “Consolidated General Fund Operating Revenue & Expense Report,” “General Fund Operating Revenue & Expense 2003-04 through 2006-07 Actuals,” “Policy Establishing Designations for the District Unreserved Fund Balance,” “Designations of Unreserved Fund Balance,” “2007-08 Capital Improvement Plan Budget-by Project,” and “2007-08 Capital Improvement Plan Budget-by Fund.”

 

Director Kamena arrived at 6:15 p.m.

 

Discussion occurred regarding whether it is possible for Board and staff to develop some contingency plans in case the State imposes another property tax shift via ERAF (Education Revenue Augmentation Fund) on the District, such as what programs might be cut. Director Kamena complimented General Manager Barry on his vision and fiscal prudence, which has brought the District to its current state of having reserve funds. President Goodman asked that staff bear in mind what programs might be cut, should cuts become necessary. Assistant General Manager John Lawrence said it is always in staff’s mind, but recommends against labeling specific programs at this point.

 

Other discussion items included: the percentage of the Operating Budget that should be the District’s goal to maintain in the unreserved fund balance; the District’s bank account and the interest it earns; AB1600 funds; update on Karl Wente Park playground renovation project; questions on specific line items of the CIP budget; agreement to wait on issuing a Request for Proposal for a Carnegie Park Master Plan Update.

 

2.2     Review Program Unit Budget – Discussion

General Manager Barry stated that, at the January 30, 2008 Board Meeting, Director Kamena asked that an analysis of the different LARPD programs and their level of subsidy be included in the Midyear Budget Workshop. Mr. Barry noted that in the attached report, “Calendar Year 2007 Actual Operating Revenue & Expense Summary by Unit,” staff chose to depict the calendar vs. fiscal year in order to report the most recent figures and to match actual program expenditures to the revenue collected.

 

2.2.1        Program Unit Subsidy Analysis

Staff and Directors discussed specific line items on the summary report. President Goodman asked that the Board receive this report each year and, if it is not too time-consuming, that staff prepare a report that goes back some time, as well.

 

2.2.2        Results From Addition of ESS Part-Time Designated Teacher Positions

Senior Recreation Supervisor Jill Kirk reported that ESS waiting lists have improved, as has staff retention. She said she is negotiating securing more space at the Arroyo Seco site, which will allow more children into the program.

 

2.2.3        Friendship Center

Recreation Supervisor Maureen Gandara Swinbank reported on the Friendship Center’s difficulty while waiting for a decision on whether the program will be permitted to remain at the current site. The uncertainty of the program’s future has hurt attendance figures.

 

2.2.4        Rock Gym

Mr. Barry and Ranger/Naturalist Supervisor Mike Nicholson reported that the Rock Gym has not met budget thus far. Board and staff discussed revenue trends, terms of the lease, and marketing and promotion. Director Kamena requested more detailed information, including an explanation regarding the dramatic increase in revenue in January.

 

2.3     Discuss 2008/2009 Budget Preparation Calendar and Process.

Board approved the proposed calendar.

 

3.            ADJOURNMENT

            Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

 

 

APPROVED,

                       

                                                                                    _______________________________

                                                                                    Steve P. Goodman

President, Board of Directors

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

General Manager and ex-officio

Clerk to the Board of Directors