Measure U Community Advisory Committee Meeting - August 15, 2022
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Measure U Community Advisory Committee Meeting - August 15, 2022
The Measure U Community Advisory Committee met virtually on Monday, August 15, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:35 p.m. The committee received presentations on the City Auditor's 2022 Community Survey and the Participatory Budgeting Pilot Program, discussed the FY2022/23 Measure U Approved Budget, and received updates from ad hoc committees and staff. Chair Flojaune Cofer announced her upcoming departure and shared her experience with burnout, emphasizing mental health.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (June 20, 2022): Passed by motion.
- Ad Hoc Committees Membership Roster: Received and filed.
- Measure U Community Advisory Committee Agenda Log: Approved by motion.
- Overview of FY2022/23 Measure U Approved Budget: Separated from consent calendar for discussion; received and filed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lambert Davis (owner, To the Bay and Back Cheesecakes): Expressed concerns about survey sample size (7,000 out of city population) and questioned the statistical validity of results below 50% satisfaction. Also criticized the Participatory Budgeting (PB) pilot for lack of transparency, noting that he and several community members from District 2 were not selected as delegates despite attending meetings. He praised the Grant High School drum line and urged support for youth programs in Del Paso Heights.
- Barry Boyd (proposal delegate): Questioned the survey sampling methodology and margin of error, calling for larger sample sizes. On PB, he asked about the role of Third Plateau (the evaluator) and expressed frustration with the consultant's facilitation, noting that corrections were needed in the process. He also thanked Chair Cofer for her advocacy and urged the committee to oppose the proposed ban on ad hoc committees.
Discussion Items
- Item 5: City Auditor’s 2022 Community Survey – Farishta Ahrary (Principal Fiscal Policy Analyst) presented results from a random sample of 7,000 households (700 responses, 95% confidence, ±4% margin of error). Key findings: 59% rated overall quality of life as excellent/good (downward trend since 2018); only 18% anticipated positive economic impact; 11% rated affordable housing as excellent/good; 57% felt safe in downtown commercial areas during the day. Custom Measure U priorities: community-based mental health and wellness ranked highest, followed by community response services, affordable housing, homeless services, public safety, street maintenance, and youth programs. City Auditor Jorge Osaquena addressed public concerns about sampling, noting the survey is statistically sound. Chair Cofer noted that subgroup analyses (e.g., by district) lose statistical power. The item was received and filed.
- Item 6: Participatory Budgeting Pilot Program Implementation Update – Christania DeLeon (Participatory Budgeting Project) reported that the pilot is in the proposal development phase, with $500,000 allocated to Northeast and Southeast areas each. Proposal delegates are developing 15 proposals (Northeast) and 15 (Southeast) covering parks, food access, youth services, and more. The vote is planned for fall 2022. Committee members (Noel Mora, Marbella Sala) expressed disappointment with the consultant's performance, citing last-minute materials, lack of expert guidance in breakout sessions, and insufficient support for community delegates. Vice Chair Kimberly Williams noted lessons learned. Ash Roughani clarified that Third Plateau (contract $50,000) is evaluating the process. The item was received and filed.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved items 1, 2, and 3; item 4 (budget overview) received and filed after discussion.
- Annual Report: The Spending Oversight and Budget Development Ad Hoc Committee will meet prior to September to draft the FY2020/21 annual report, due to City Council by September 19, 2022.
- Ad Hoc Committee Updates: Participatory Budgeting Implementation Ad Hoc – ongoing; Marketing and Communications Ad Hoc – revised logo options (based on option 3) to be finalized in September, along with a communications plan.
- Chair Succession: Chair Cofer announced she will not seek another term, urging members to consider stepping up for the role.
- City Manager’s Office Report: Denise Malvetti noted a $1 million ARPA investment for food security (NOFA open through August 24) and a $1.5 million childcare investment going to City Council on August 16.
- Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda: Lambert Davis and Barry Boyd both spoke; Chair Cofer alerted the committee to proposed changes to board/commission rules (including a ban on ad hoc committees) to be considered by City Council on August 30, and encouraged members to provide input.
Meeting Transcript
Chair staff is ready when you are. Okay. Good evening. Welcome to the August 15th, 2022 Measure U Community Advisory Committee meeting. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish quorum? Thank you, Chair members. Please unmute and turn on your video for roll call vote. Commissioner Cresswell will be absent tonight. Member Dickinson. Here. Thank you. Member Goris will be absent tonight. Member Kibble. Here. Thank you. Member Lujean. We'll be absent tonight. Thank you. Member Mora. Present. Thank you. Member Odo Kent will be absent tonight. Member Perez. Present. Thank you. Member Pray. Present. Thank you. Member Riviera. Is absent tonight. Member Sala. Here. Thank you. Vice Chair Williams. Here. Thank you. Chair Kofer. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. Thank you. This meeting is virtual via Zoom. For members of the public who wish to join, please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link. Once you've joined the meeting, if you wish to speak, you can use raise your hand to provide public comment when the chair confirms the public comment speaking period for your desired item. If you're online, you click raise hand on the bottom of your screen. In the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option under the more tab. If you're on the telephone, to raise your hand, you dial star nine. Then to unmute or mute, you dial star six. And speakers that are calling in by the last four digits of your phone number.
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