HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Newsletter
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VOLUME t. NUMBER j
Published by the Redevelopment Agency. City of San Bernardino
Nov.Oec 1990.Jan 1991
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Development within State College Project Area
CITY NEWSLETTER:
Over the next few years, the City
of San Bernardino (SB) must solve
economic puzzles unlike any it has
faced in its long history.
As the Inland Empire's oldest
community, SB has limited
undeveloped land on which new
homes can be built. And, much of
our commercial and industrial
property has older, existing buildings
on it.
This means we are in a tough
competition with the newer
communities around us, in luring
new housing, commercial and
industrial developments to our
community.
Why A City Newsletter?
As the city works to improve
itself, it is vital taxpayers understand
the stakes involved, and the strategies
being used. That is why the Redevel.
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YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW
opment Agency C'ROA") has begun
this newsletter.
What Is The Redevelopment
Agency?
RDA's mission is to work with
private investors to bring new
businesses, jobs and tax revenues to
5B. Also, it is our role to convince
developers to spend money rebuild-
ing the older parts of the city, so they
will be better places to live and work.
The agency has found that often a
good plan is difficult to put into
action if the public does not have the
information to understand what is
being done and why.
This newsletter's goal will be to
give you the facts about what ROA is
doing and why. Hopefully you will
then be in a position to provide
support or criticism based upon this
information.
Who Will Pay For The
Newsletter?
The City's Redevelopment
Agency, with funds specifically
designated for these purposes, will pay
all costs associated with the develop-
ment of this newsletter. No City funds
will be used.
Will City Council Matters Be
Discussed?
Even though ROA will pay for this
newsletter, facts about some City
Council issues will be covered. ROA
has found that unless the city has good
services, like police and fire protection
or street maintenance, it is hard to get
investors to come here.
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STATE ACTIOI'. TO CUT CITY Sb~VICES
Remember when the State
Legislature could not balance its
budget last July? In part, they finally
did so by arranging to take some of
the money city residents pay to have
city services delivered inside SB.
Here is how it works:
The State took money away from
the County and changed the law so
the County could get it from the city.
The result: you pay property and
utility taxes to SB City Hall for
services like the library, police and
paramedics. Instead, part of your
money will now go for jailing prison-
ers and collecting taxes. Never in
history have city taxpayers been
charged for these responsibilities.
City Must Cut $2,000,000 in
Services
In SB's case, the State's action will
cost city residents about $2,000,000 in
services, or $16.26 for each adult and
child in the city.
The City Council held a televised
hearing on October 13th to decide
what workers and services to cut or
fees to raise.
City Government Already
Reduced
The choices will not be easy.
Since 1980, price hikes and Prop. 13
have already made SB become more
efficient, and learn to provide equal
service with less purchasing power.
In 1979, SB city government had
$318 in purchasing power per resi-
dent. In 1990, it was $281 per resi-
dent ... $37 less 01.6%).
As a result, the city has had to
become more efficient. It has: con-
tracted work to private firms; used
civilians for police desk work;
combined departments; eliminated
senior managers.
Unfortunately in 1990, crime and
blight control have required more
City Services Per Person
Inflation Adjusted Spending Per Person
$400
$318
$300 - -$281-
$200 f-- - -
$100 '-- - -
0
1980 1990
Source: Annual city current & capital budget,
population and inflation.
city effort. Thus the 1991 budget was
very tight. By taking scarce city
monies at this time, the State Legisla-
ture has guaranteed SB will have to
reduce public services or raise
revenues.
NEW WEST SIDE SHOPPING CENTER
FINALLY!
In 1991, for the first time in 20
years, West Side families will not
have to cross the 1-215 to go to a
major shopping center. That is the
real news from the agreement that a
new West Side Shopping Center will
be built at Baseline & Medical Center
Drive. The project will be accom-
plished without using one dollar of
money from the City's tight budget.
Long an RDA and City goal, the
new center will be anchored by a
large VIVA market and include a
police drop-in center, drug store, gas
station, and shops.
The West Side is Growing
This development was possible at
this time because of the solid im-
provements being made in the West
Side area's economy. Thus an
(continued on page 3)
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WEST SIDE SHOPPING CENTER
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NEW FRONTIER COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, INC.
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(NEW WESTSIDE...continuedJ
increasing number of middle class
families are buying in the area and
causing property values to rise. Once
dormant neighborhoods, like Delmann
Heights, are now bursting with people.
A tract of 114 large attractive homes is
under construction, using RDA financ-
ing. And, a 51 unit senior housing
complex at 16th and Medical Center
Drive was recently approved.
Homes People Can Afford
Underlying this success is the fact
that the West Side is one of SB
County's few urban places where most
families can still afford a home. 54% of
California families could pay the
$87,200 price for existing new homes
there; 33% can afford the $126,000 for
new homes.
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Complex Arrangement
Makes Center Possible
A complex arrangement has
made the West Side Center possible.
The developer, New Frontier Enter-
prises, agreed to borrow and invest
$6.5 million in the project: $5.7 million
from private loans and $0.8 million
from a personally guaranteed RDA
loan.
Quality Foods International,
owners of Market Basket, Boy's
Market, Food 4 Less and Viva, saw the
West Side economy's potential, and
agreed to build a full scale Viva
market, and hire their employees
locally.
The U.S. government made a $1.85
million grant available.
Finally, RDA is putting $3.2
million in land and site improvements
into the center, and will buy and own
$0.9 million in market fixtures. For its
land and money, RDA will own 40% of
the center and will profit on its sale or
refinance.
As the funds RDA is investing in
the project are from sources totally
unavailable to the regular city budget,
not $1.00 of money the City could use
for services is involved in the transac-
tion. D
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Cleaning Up The City
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New street sweeper on all early //lornillg rUIl through dowlltowll
Sail Bernardillo.
When people come to SB, one
of the first things they notice is
how well we care for our commu-
nity. For this reason, the city
sponsored an amazingly success-
ful Christmas clean up last year,
using youth and neighborhood
groups. However one shot events
are not enough.
Cleaning the Streets
Since the mid-1980's, when
budget problems forced SB to cut
back on the frequency of street
sweeping, citizens have expressed
concern over the city's appear-
ance. RDA has shared this con-
cern, as the unkept look of a
neighborhood can hurt the
chances of attracting new busi-
ness.
As a result, the Council agreed
to spend $250,000 of the money
raised from the recent $48 prop-
erty assessment to buy more street
sweepers, hire staff, and dramati-
cally increase street sweeping
throughout the city.
Nearly every city street will be
swept twice a month. Major
streets like Mt. Vernon, Highland,
Baseline and Medical Center, will
be swept twice weekly. The
Hospitality Lane area will be
swept daily.
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Schedules will be placed in
the newspaper so citizens can help
this effort by not parking on
streets during the days when they
are to be cleaned.
Clearing Away
Abandoned Vehicles
Finally, since 1988, one of the
War on Blight's successes has
been the public's voluntary
removal of over 8,000 vehicles
found to be abandoned under city
ordinances. This action has saved
an enormous amount of effort for
SB's Facilities Management
Department.
Under the code, any citizen
may file a complaint if a vehicle is
felt to be unregistered, inoperable,
parked on a lawn, or a fire hazard.
The city's removal cost is $138.50,
which is charged to the property
owner, and becomes a lien if not
paid in 30 days.
People who enjoy working
on older cars may of course do so,
provided they are stored inside or
otherwise screened from public
view.
To report an abandoned
vehicle please call the Facilities
Management Department (384-
5366).
MORE MONEY'
As the Southern California drug
problem has grown, and more and
more SB homes have become inex-
pensive rentals, the city has begun to
inherit some of LA's crime problem.
As a result, SB's police officers
are swamped. The crime rate has
taken off so fast they can barely keep
up with the calls.
People Demand More
Protection!
As a result, the city has had a
barrage of citizens's requests for more
protection.
In response, the Mayor and
Council made the difficult decision to
assess property owners $48 per year,
starting in 1991. 83% of the money
raised will go to the police depart-
ment, the balance to street sweeping
and street lighting.
34 More Officers on the
Streets
To put more police on the streets,
24 new officers will be hired for
patrol and investigations. In addi-
tion, 10 current officers will be
reassigned to these two functions.
The latter will be made possible as 10
new service reps and clerks will be
hired for the backup functions these
uniformed officers were once per-
forming.
Faster Response to Calls
To speed non-emergency re-
sponses to accidents and calls, 8 other
service reps will be hired.
Thus, altogether 42 extra police
staff members will be directly or
indirectly making the department's
work faster and more visible. To
assist their efforts, 15 new radio
equipped patrol, service and un-
marked cars have been purchased.
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MORE STREE~r COPS!
Computerized Crime
Fighting
Finally, modern police work
needs computerized backup. Thus 7
staff members will be hired to man
the police crime fighting computer,
and handle the extra paperwork a
larger street force will generate.
Where Will The Money
Go?
No one likes paying extra fees.
However, this time the public is at
least buying a very specific package
of police services. The dollar break-
down for the $2 million in new staff
and cars is:
(colltillucd 011 page 5)
IUUI
7TH STREET
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I . Proposed Beat
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SB's $48 A YEAR ASSESSMENT
Budget For The Extra $2 Million
In Police Money
24 - Officers (57.2%)
18 - Field Staff (24.2%)
7 - Office Staff (9.0%)
15 - Patrol Cars (9.6%)
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NORTH
The downtown area has beell targeted for illcreased surveillallce by a foot patrolmall.
The beat, (highlighted.! covers the areas with the highest crime rate.
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(MORE MONEY... continued) '_
$1,146,000 (57%) for 24 patrol officers
and crime investigators; $485,000
(24%) for 18 field support staff;
$192,000 (10%) for 15 new radio-
equipped cars.
Thus, altogether, 91 % of the $2
million will support on-the-street
police services. $180,000 (9%) will go
to staff the crime fighting computer
system and increased paper flow.
Keeping Officers in S8
Patrolling S6 is a hard job
requiring experienced cops. Unfortu-
nately S6' s benefits are less than in
many prosperous towns. To stop the
loss of trained officers, $500,000 of the
new fees will go to making S6 police
benefits competitive. 0
JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY OPENS
What do an ex-Marine Drill
Instructor, money seized from drug
dealers, and 5th and 6th graders at
Lytle Creek Elementary School have
in common?
The Junior Police Academy!
Discipline, Belonging,
Excellence!
Operating on the old fashioned
idea that, given a chance, many
children enjoy discipline, a sense of
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belonging, and the chance to excel,
the cadet program challenges stu-
dents to prove they are tough enough
to become solid citizens.
Cadets must agree to improve
physically, mentally and academi-
cally. They must be willing to work
to better their school and community.
And they must be ready to drill.
Drill...DrilI...Drill
Ex-Marine Drill Instructor Gun-
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San Bernardino's Police Department is often the most direct contact our citizens have
with city government.
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f
ther Griebau works with the cadets
30 hours a week. They learn close
order drill, snappy salutes and how
to conduct themselves with a military
bearing. In extra study work, cadets
learn the elements of law enforce-
ment and safety work.
At their magnet school, cadets ...
who currently wear uniforms once a
week ... will perform tasks such as
safety patrol, bicycle safety classes,
breakfast and lunch patrol, restroom
and hall monitoring.
In the community, they are
expected to become a presence in
working to improve S6. Parents are
asked to join in their children's
efforts.
A Decent Use For Drug
Money
$28,000 of the funds the S6 Police
Department has seized from major
drug dealers forms the core of the
funding of the Jr. Police Academy.
The hope is to start a movement
which will combat the role of gangs
in the lives of many young people.
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SAN BERNARhiNO'S WAR ON B:.6IGHT
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Combined City and community forces teamed up for last year's Christmas cleanup.
In 1989, SB declared War on
Blight. Since then there have been
raids on delapidated motels, and
ordinances setting property mainte-
nance standards and licensing single
family landlords. And the battle
continues...
As RONs toughest job has been
to convince investors to develop in
the city's most poorly kept areas, it is
important for you to know what the
city is doing about blight and how
you can help.
Home's Must Be Kept Up on
It's The law!
In 1989, a SB city ordinance was
passed saying that poorly maintained
property or sub-standard housing is a
nuisance that must be cleaned up or
repaired. Owners are subject to fines
if it is not done. Since that time the
city's code enforcement officers have
been among its busiest workers.
While victory cannot be de
clared, a gradual improvement has
occurred in many neighborhoods.
Abandoned houses and buildings
have been demolished. Owners are
becoming aware of their obligations.
Citizens who believe a home in
their neighborhood is not being kept
up to city standards should contact
the code enforcement office. They
are so busy they have four numbers
(384-5257,5272,5181, or 5223). A
check off list of the city's property
maintenance requirements can be
found on Page 7.
Shutting Down Decaying
Motels
One tragedy, uncovered by the
War on Blight, has been the large
number of families living in decaying
motels. The City, in coordination
with its building inspectors, has so
far identified and closed nine such
establishments.
In each case families were found
living in rooms filled with safety and
sanitary violations. Residents were
offered assistance in moving to
permanent housing and the motels
have been closed.
Every person who accepted
assistance has in fact been relocated
to a liveable dwelling.
Those turning down assistance
do so for personal reasons, including
the desire to remain anonymous.
The police department has
indicated that one positive side effect
of the closures has been a crime
reduction in surrounding areas.
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One Absentee landlord
Rents 59 City Homes!
City staff members estimate
9,500 of SB's 34,300 homes are
now rentals (26%). This is partly
the case as low local home prices
have lured LA/Orange County
real estate investors to the city.
Because many of the city's
problem houses are owned by
such absentee landlords, all
single family landlords are now
required to have a license.
When they get one, they are told
about the city's property stan-
dards.
To date the City has identi-
fied 4,909 landlords, contacted
4,790 and licensed 3,552 of them.
54% were found to be absentee
owners, largely from LA/
Orange Counties. The landlord
with the most rentals was found
to have 59.
If you are a landlord, a
tenant, or believe a nearby rental
is unlicensed, please contact the
City Clerk's office (384-5302).
If the city can separate the
good landlords from the bad, it
will make enforcement of
property maintenance standards
more successful.
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SAN BERNARulNO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
In 1989, many citizens came to
the Common Council to discuss ways
of insuring that local homes and
businesses are well maintained. Most
speakers felt it was wrong for one
owner to let their property decline
and harm the character of a neighbor-
hood and the value of homes within
it. Many felt there was a direct
relationship between lower crime
rates and nicer neighborhoods.
In response the Council took
three actions. It passed an ordinance
establishing property maintenance
standards. It set up a schedule of
fines for violations. And, it beefed up
the size of the city's code enforcement
staff.
When property is found to be in
violation, owners are given 10 days to
clean it up. Failure to do so results in
a fine to the owner. If the fine is not
paid it becomes a lien against the
property. In very serious situations,
the city may hire a contractor to
correct the problem and bill the
owner for the work.
If you wish to report a violation,
or ask any questions about the
property standards, the fine schedule,
or the inspection process please call
(384-5257,5272,5181, or 5223). If a
line is busy, try another one. This is
one of the city's busiest operations!
The following check off list can be used to determine if property violates city property maintenance
standards. While the Court sets the exact amount, fines for not correcting a problem usually fall within the
ranges shown.
TYPE OF STRUCTURE:
o House
o Retail Business
CHECK BOX THAT DESCRIBES INFRACTION:
o Duplex
o Inoperable Vehicle/Parts:
D Service Business
o On property
o On dirt/unimproved surface
o Multiple Units
o Industrial
($100-$200)'
CHECK BOX THAT DESCRIBES INFRACTION:
o Operable Vehicle: ,\
On Lawn
llIegally On Street
o Weeds/Grass not maintained ($50-$100)'
($50-$100)'
o Rodent or Insect Infestation
($100-$200)'
o Litter/Debris on property ($50-$100)'
o Sewer Seepage/
o No Sewer Disposal
o Lack of Landscaping ($50-$100)'
o No pool fence
o Dead Vegetation not removed ($50-$100)'
($200-$400)'
($200-$400)'
o Unsafe/Unsanitary Interior
($50-$100)'
o Paint on structure faded/peeling ($50-$100)'
o Graffiti has not been removed
o The structure needs repair:
o Porch
o Wall
o Stairs
o Balcony
o Deck
o Fence
'Plus penalty assessments
($50-$100)'
CHECK BOX THAT DESCRIBES MISDEMEANOR:
($50-$100)'
o Allow Use/Occupy structure with no
o Certificate of Occupancy: ($500-$1,000)'
o Roof
o Walkway
o Multi-residential
o Commercial Industrial
o Driveway
o Operate a business without a
o Certificate of Occupancy ($500-$1,000)'
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CITY MEETING SCHEDULE
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The public is invited to attend all City Council and commission ffil"t'tings. Listed below
is the regular meeting schedule:
Mayor ana Common Loundl- 8:3Q"a~m.
First and Third Monday,
Animal Advisory Commission 7:00 p.m.
Second Wednesday
oard'OfWiitcrLommisslOners 9:30 am.
First and Third Tuesday'
Building Commission 9:00 a.m.
First Friday
CerneteryCOITiii'ii'SSion 3:00 p.m.
Second Tuesday~ other month
Civil Service Board 9:00 a.m.
Second and Fourth Tuesday
CO'ffi'imiilityT.V:"'COiTiffi'ission 2:00'p:m.
First and Third Tuesday,
Fine Arts Commission 4:00 p.m.
Second Friday
FiTe'COffi'ffi'issibn
First Tuesday
Franchise Board
Council Chambers~City'HaIl,
300 North "0" Street
Council Chambers, City Hall
Fifth'FI60j-~City HaIl-
Council Chambers, City Hall
211 E~NinthStreet
2nd Floor Board Room, City Hall
Sixth~F1oor;CiWHall
6th Floor, City Hall \
12:15p:m.
Fire'station;200 PThird stfeet
7:00 p.m.
Sixth Floor, City Hall
Second Tuesday
[LiBrary Board 7:30 p:m.
_ Second Tuesdal:...~
Parks and Rl.'>Creation In""'......ittee--- 5:30 p.m.
ThirdJ"p<~ay '77r~~~ ~
Planning Commission ~7~OO'p:;rp;
Fi st and Third Tuesday'
Police Commission 7:30 p.m.
Second Monday
555 W~sixth'street
547 N. Sierra Way
Council Chamb-ei5;CiWI-f'all--
Council Chambers, City Hall
SENIOR INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
provides assistance to help senior citizens solve any
problems they may have.
SENIOR INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
Open regular office hours, Monday-Friday. Call 387-2423
City of San Bernardino
300 North '0' Street
San Bernardino, CA 92418
Animal Control Information/
Animal Shelter 384-5048
Building Permits 384-5071
Business Licenses 384-5302
Cemetery Office 885-6385
City Attorney 384-5355
City Administrator 384-5122
City Clerk 3S4-5002
or 384-5102
City Treasurer 3S4-5021
Civil Service 384-5061
Code Enforcement 384-5205
Community Television 384-5147
Community Development
Department 384-5065
Council Office 384-5188
Dog Licenses 384-5084
Facilities Management 384-5244
Finance Department 384-5242
Fire (Emergency) 911
Fire Dept./Prevention
Fire Dept./General
Jobline
Library
(Norman Feldheym) 381-8201
Mayor 384-5133
Omnitrans/
Route Schedule
Parking Citations
Parks, Recreation, and
Community Services
Personnel Department
Planning Department
Police (Emergency)
Police Department
Public Services:
Street Sweeping,
Repair, Asphalt, and
Sewer Maintenance
Refuse Collection
City Trees
Public Works
Department
Redevelopment Agency
Water Department
TELEPHONE LISTINGS
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384-5388
384-52S6
384-5376
383-5283
384-5366
384-5234
384-5361
384-5057
911
384-5742
384-5045
384-5335
384-5180
384-5112
384-5081
384-5095
BULK RATE
CARRIER ROUTE PRESORT
U.s. POSTAGE PAID
San Bernardino, CA
Permit No. 450