As the city of San Diego strives to increase the budget for its Parks & amp; The recreation department may face obstacles in filling staffing positions next year. City officials discussed the department’s challenges at La Jolla Parks & amp; Beach Board Meeting on May 23.
The La Jolla / Riford Library meeting was the first personal board meeting in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Steve Hadley, representing the office of City Councilor Joe LaCave, whose District 1 includes La Jollo, said the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-23 includes a $ 4 million increase for parks & amp; Rec Department “specifically to assist with some of the executions that are supposed to be needed,” as well as to “increase salaries and benefits for Parks & Recreation Workers.”
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Additional enforcement is proposed, as the city introduces new regulations on pavement sales that would allow vendors to operate in most city parks if they meet certain criteria.
Additional positions and shifts for Parks & amp; Recreational maintainers for cleaning bathrooms in the park.
But wages and the city’s hiring process pose challenges in filling those jobs, Hadley said.
Currently, a beginning land maintenance worker earns about $ 36,000 a year, Hadley said. “Try living in this city with that amount,” he said. “It’s a lot of work for a small salary in this city.
“So part of the problem is that we have trouble paying these people. They come to work in Parke & amp; Rec and can move to another department and have a safer salary and benefits. “
He said the coastal park cleaning site is running out of 17 or 18 people, and there are a total of 1,738 vacancies of city staff provided in the budget in all departments.
Hadley drew a parallel with the city’s problems with police detention. He said there are about 200 vacancies in the police administration, which are provided for in the budget.
The second issue, Hadley said, “is the length of the hiring process.… You have these professional people applying for a job and the city needs three to six months to go through the process. They can find a job elsewhere faster.”
The debate came after San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria released a so-called “easy revision” of the draft budget, an update that reflects feedback from city council members based on suggestions from their constituents.
LaCava organized two meetings of the budget town hall in May to gather contributions. Residents of La Jolla have expressed the need for more rescuers at night, more funding for the police administration and additional funding for cleaning toilets in coastal parks.
This photo of the untidy stall was taken in April in the south toilet area of Kellogg Park in La Jolla Shores.
The audit included five new night shift sergeants; second edit Parks & amp; Recreational staff for cleaning and protecting bathrooms in the park; overtime police officers; police recruitment efforts; renewal of funding for arts, culture and community festivals; and professional services in support of urban real estate transactions.
The budget is expected to be finalized on Monday, 13 June, with the new budget year beginning on Friday, 1 July.
Other LJP&B news
Pavilion issues: Although some privacy issues are emerging in the new Scripps Park Pavilion restroom, LJP & B member Ken Hunrichs said there is still a “clear view from the hotel across the street into the showers.”
The facility opened in January next to La Jolla Bay, but visitors soon found that men’s and women’s wardrobes are visible from the street at certain angles. Hunrichs said a barrier had been erected to reduce this.
La Jolla Cove Swim: La Jolla Cove Swim organizer Judy Adams Halter, a former member of the LJP & B board of directors, said the public event will take place on Sunday, September 11, in La Jolla Cove Bay and that 270 swimmers have already registered.
Proceeds from registration fees and donations help pay for swimming courses for children in poorly equipped neighborhoods and for the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla Concerts by the Sea, which will take place weekly from July 17 to August 7 at Scripps Park. Any additional funding will go to organizations supported by the Kiwanis Club.
The 1-mile race will start at 9 a.m. and will be limited to 600 swimmers. The 3 mile swim with a limited number of 100 swimmers is already sold out.
Halter said volunteers will arrive at the setup around 6 a.m., and the event is expected to take place by 3 p.m.
Steering Committee Development Workshop: The Steering Committee will attend a closed-door workshop in early June to help the group formalize how it will continue projects in the future.
“I’d like to see us focus on community-led projects and beautification, community engagement, and a plan for the future,” said LJP & B President Bob Evans.
Brenda Fake, vice-chairman of the board, said that the topics to be addressed would include “what projects we want to work on in 2022 and 2023, clarifying the roles of each director, how to raise funds for these projects, how to obtain legal permission. entry “and other items.” We want to be effective as a team. “
Next meeting: La Jolla Parks & amp; The beaches next meet at 4 p.m. Monday, June 27, at La Jolla / Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Learn more at lajollaparksbeaches.org. ◆