Measure U Community Advisory Committee Meeting - April 17, 2023

The Measure U Community Advisory Committee met on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the city budget, a draft Measure U fact sheet, and performance metrics for participatory budgeting projects. The meeting included a presentation from Budget Manager Mirthala Santizo on the fiscal year 2023 budget and revenue sources, followed by committee feedback on the draft fact sheet and metrics for 17 recently awarded participatory budgeting grants. Public comment addressed remote work, grant distribution concerns, and budget timeline issues.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the March 20, 2023 meeting minutes.
• Approved the updated Agenda Log.
• Received and filed the Measure U ballot language and resolution establishing the committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lambert Davis (multiple items): Expressed opposition to remote work raises for city employees, stating that employees working from home—especially out of state—should not receive raises. He questioned the Del Paso Boulevard Partnership grant ($20,000) for cancelling outreach meetings and urged faster disbursement of grant funds. He also criticized a perceived inequity in grant distribution between north and south areas.
• Barry Boyd (Item 6 and public comment): Raised concerns that when no applications were received for one category, remaining funds were allocated directly to two entities without public notification or opportunity for other applicants. He acknowledged the pilot process but called for greater transparency. He also thanked the Mutual Assistance Network for hosting an Earth Day event.
• Keyan Bliss (Public comment): Encouraged the committee to schedule a special meeting to discuss budget recommendations earlier in the city's budget cycle, and reported that the Granicus video player was not functioning across multiple browsers.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – Overview of City Budget and Major Revenue Sources: Mirthala Santizo presented the FY23 budget ($1.45 billion total, $135 million Measure U, 18% of general fund). She noted salary and pension cost increases, slowing revenue growth, and a projected gap for homeless services. Committee members asked about the budget timeline, the ability to provide timely recommendations, and the breakdown of Measure U funds. Member Sala requested quarterly presentations on Measure U spending. A motion to require such presentations was noted as not actionable because the item was for discussion only; staff took the request under advisement.
• Item 5 – Draft FY2022/23 Measure U Fact Sheet: Staff presented a one-page summary of Measure U allocations. Committee members praised the format and suggested adding a QR code linking to more information, translations for non-English speakers, and more detail on specific programs within broad categories (e.g., affordable housing). Staff indicated the fact sheet could be updated dynamically and final without a vote.
• Item 6 – Participatory Budgeting Project Implementation Performance Metrics: The committee reviewed potential metrics and success indicators for 17 grantees (total $1 million, split equally between north and south areas). Members emphasized that contracts should mandate demographic data collection (income, age, ethnicity), and that metrics should align with each project’s original community-defined goals. Member Riviera and others supported requiring reporting on program quality, not just inputs. Concern was raised about the feasibility of collecting data from vulnerable populations. Staff confirmed demographic requirements would be included in contracts, with reporting templates. Member Sala noted a lesson learned from the process: when no applications were received in one category, the committee agreed to redistribute funds rather than re-open the public call; this should be reconsidered in future rounds.

Key Outcomes

• The consent calendar was adopted by unanimous vote (8-0, with members absent).
• No formal votes were taken on Items 4, 5, or 6 as they were for discussion and feedback only.
• Staff will incorporate feedback into the Measure U fact sheet and finalize it.
• Performance metrics and demographic reporting requirements will be included in all participatory budgeting contracts.
• The committee discussed the need to prepare budget recommendations by the May meeting given the tight timeline between the proposed budget (late April) and council adoption (late June). A special meeting in May was suggested as a possible solution.
• Two subcommittees (budget, communication and outreach, participatory budgeting) were pending approval by the Personnel and Public Employees Committee on April 18; several members expressed interest in serving.