$24-Million Budget Plan to Be Considered

Hiring one police officer and increasing staff for recreation programs are among proposals in the budget plan to be considered tonight by the City Council.

The council will seek public comment on the proposed $24-million citywide spending plan for fiscal 1997-98. The proposal includes a $16.4-million general-fund budget.

In a recent budget study session, officials talked about hiring additional police officers. But city staff is recommending only one new officer for the Patrol Division. That would bring total Police Department personnel to 67.

City Administrator Robert D’Amato said that every department could use more personnel but that the city cannot afford to pay for more than one new officer. He said the spending plan reflects a balanced budget. “We have to live within our means,” he said.

Other staffing increases would be adding part-time staff hours for supervision at Tynes and Oberle gyms and McFadden Park and adding part-time clerical help in the Finance Department. Also, a full-time police services supervisor position is expected to be upgraded to a police services manager.

Separately, the council tonight will consider prohibiting parking from 2 to 6 a.m. on North Mission Way. The storage of vehicles on the street by people from outside the neighborhood has prompted the request for no overnight parking, staff said.

Residents on Mission have also signed requests for the parking restriction and submitted photographs of the stored vehicles and of repairs taking place, which they say result in trash and oil spills on the street.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers, 401 E. Chapman Ave.

Information: (714) 993-8231.