Posted by Richard L. Roberts
At a Vocational Meeting at Me & Z's Restaurant, speakers were introduced: Bob Perrault, Grover Beach City Manager, aka Cowboy Poet Bob and John Shoals, the great Mayor of the City of Grover Beach.
Despite the economic downturn, the city is on a relatively sound footing; since Perrault was hired four years ago, the workforce has been reduced from 68 to 56 but the delivery of services have been consistent. GroverBeach does more with less; of the seven cities in the county, Grover is number four in population but the last in annual budget amount, $7.6 million. The city has four major economic development goals: completion of the Lodge & Conference Center; Technology Master Plan when implemented will provide businesses with high speed fiber optic network with Asia, one of only two in the US; Local Economic Stimulus Programs implemented, e.g., shop & dine incentives; Marketing & Signage, looking to move the city forward with a new logo, and motto: "A Great Place to Spread Your Wings".
Major streets are getting their fair share of repair funds thanks to Proposition 1B special sales tax funding; $6-8 hundred thousand spent annually, helped by federal grants. West Grand Avenue major rehab very successful and greatly appreciated by businesses in the area; it will welcome people into the community and will promote a public gathering area. Two phases of the Ramona Specific Plan, Transit area, sidewalks, curbs and gutters along Ramona between Eighth & Tenths Streets; plans are now underway for the third phase, to construct a cul-de-sac on 9th Street and a pedestrian mall to connect RamonaGardenPark with the e Station. Several utilities & infrastructure/water supply projects completed such as, Meadow Creek Bridge, South Industrial area sewer main and fiber optic installation, new storm drains, etc.; others are in the planning phase,
Progress in Public Safety has been made in several areas, third place in statewide Law Enforcement Challenge, new Graffiti Ordinance; joint five cities volunteer
academy; Fire Department consolidation and Police Department building a team of professionals. Exploring avenues for further cooperation with public safety partners will continue. Community Development and Planning Elements are all on track; Zoning Code rewrite is currently underway. Parks & Recreation are working on CleaverPark master plan, Summer Concert & Farmers' Market events are going well and Beach Cities Trail study is completed.
It is unlikely that City finances will improve, economic recovery is expected to be slow but City Council and Staff will work hard to ensure budget balance and delivery of services is preserved. State will continue to attempt to "raid" local coffers. Proposition 22, if passed, will prohibit the state to continue to drain local treasuries.