Gilroy’s suffering sidewalks could be fixed soon, but at the
expense of other programs
Gilroy – The latest recipe for citywide sidewalk repairs could save Gilroy tens of thousands of dollars in loan costs, but it would mean multimillion dollar cuts in programs and services.
“If we’re going to put a million dollars a year into repaying a bond, why can’t we put in $2 million a year, save on the expenses and get it done in three or four years?” asked Councilman Craig Gartman.
On the campaign trail last fall, Gartman touted the idea of borrowing against future tax revenues to finance the estimated $6.5 million cost of fixing Gilroy’s cracked and uprooted sidewalks.
A majority of council members support the idea, but they have not been willing to proceed with the plan until a sidewalk task force makes recommendations on the scope of repairs, alternate financing options and a range of related issues.
The task force is expected to report back in September. In the meantime, Gartman has started eyeballing the city budget for potential savings that can be steered toward sidewalk repairs. He insists the cuts should take place in the current budget season, and plans to raise the issue May 8 during a council workshop.
“I want the repairs to start as soon as our task force is done with its work,” he said. “Another year means more people tripping and falling and needlessly being injured.”
Councilman Russ Valiquette supports Gartman’s latest idea, but prefers waiting until next year to start trimming the budget. City leaders, he pointed out, will not learn the outcome of a labor deadlock with the local fire union until June, just days before the 2006-2007 budget must be approved. The city could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in new expenses depending on the decision of an outside arbitrator.
For Valiquette, too many unknowns are in play to start carving up the budget this year.
“How much sidewalk damage is out there?” he asked. “How much is it going to cost to repair? What kind of financial situation are we in?
Whenever officials begin identifying cuts, they will have a menu of items to choose from.
In anticipation of economic downturns, City Administrator Jay Baksa has compiled a long list of potential cuts ranging from the cancellation of July 4 fireworks to the closure of the Gilroy museum. Tight budgeting and an improving economy have freed councilmen from resorting to the list, but they may give it renewed attention as they review the 2006-2007 city budget.
Even without a citywide solution this budget season, sidewalk repairs will see more funding than in recent years. As part of the 2006-2007 budget, Baksa has proposed $250,000 for repairs and new walkways. More than half of the money would help clear out the backlog of people awaiting assistance from the 50/50 program, which splits the cost of sidewalk repairs with homeowners. The proposed spending exceeds past contributions of roughly $75,000 a year to the 50/50 program – spending that was discontinued three years ago as a cost-cutting measure.
“I’m trying to balance public improvements with staffing and services,” Baksa said. “I’ve put $250,000 in (the budget) for sidewalks, but I’m also trying to put more cops on the streets and staff the third fire station. Budgets are always about options and priorities, so if the council wishes to shift priorities, then they can do it.”
If Gartman leads the charge, he’ll have to get through Mayor Al Pinheiro. A few weeks ago, the mayor barely contained his frustration on the dais when Gartman resurrected the sidewalk financing issue. Pinheiro, who could not be reached for comment, acknowledges the need for a citywide solution but felt Gartman’s push to fast-track the financial component would undercut the task force.
In addition to financing options, the group is studying ways to make the city’s walkways more accessible to disabled people, developing a list of trees that cause less damage to sidewalks, and reviewing laws that would force homeowners to shoulder full legal liability for sidewalk injuries.
While Gartman may find it difficult forcing through budget cuts this year, his latest financing plan already has fans on the task force.
“If the cuts can be made without too much pain, I’d rather go with that rather than a 10-year bond,” said Bob Dillon, a former councilman who now serves on the group. “In my opinion, that’s shaping up as the task force’s perspective.”
