State of the City Report

2008 ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY REPORT
CITY OF LOMITA

As I complete my term as mayor of Lomita for the current year, I'm pleased to present the 2008 Annual State of the City report to you. It is truly an honor to serve as the mayor of Lomita and to share with you the state of our wonderful city. The annual report is an opportunity to briefly celebrate the city's accomplishments over the past year and highlight the programs and achievements that help keep Lomita moving forward even through difficult and challenging times.

I think that we can all agree 2008 is and will continue to be a very difficult and challenging year. The state budget crisis, housing mortgage crisis and the Wall Street financial meltdown impact each of us in different ways. Still, local government finds the ways and means to provide public services that are required by residents for their everyday well being. Public safety, recreation, refuse collection, water and wastewater and public landscape maintenance are just a few of municipal the services that are conducted on a daily basis which sometimes we all take for granted.

Accomplishing the many goals and objectives within a city environment requires practical planning, collaboration and efforts of many groups and individuals. City-wide projects and activities are not accomplished by one individual. Teamwork, compromise and cooperation are essential elements in the success of our city.
I am proud to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of my fellow city councilmembers, city staff, citizen advisory committee members and the numerous active organizations that contribute to our progress. We work together to provide the best possible public services with the available resources at our disposal.

Following is a brief overview of the city's numerous achievements for the past year that have contributed to the overall quality of life for our residents:

PUBLIC SAFETY
Safety of our residents, children and visitors has always been the Lomita City Council’s highest priority. The City Council has been especially diligent this year in providing improved technology, training and adopted policies that enhance public safety. Public safety activities include:

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program – The City, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, conducted four training sessions for Lomita residents in 2008. Currently, 149 city residents have received CERT training that will be invaluable to Lomita neighborhoods in event of a natural or man-made disaster
Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) System-- The City of Lomita in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. purchased and deployed a new technologically advanced system known as Automated License Plate Recognition software that reads and records vehicle license plates in day or night conditions. This system, installed in a patrol car, automatically notifies deputies when it receives information on a stolen vehicle, stolen license plates and vehicles wanted for other criminal activities such as Amber Alerts. The system can read one license plate every four seconds and vehicular traffic with speeds up to 110 mph in day or night conditions. The council approved funds to outfit two patrol cars for Lomita with this new technology
Sexual Offender Ordinance-- The City Council adopted a Sex Offender Residency Restrictions Ordinance that prohibits registered sex offenders, whether or not on parole or probation, from residing temporarily or permanently within 2000 feet of any public or private school, any park and all places where children frequently gather. The ordinance also prohibits registered sex offenders from residing within 300 feet of any child-care facility
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ordinance-- The council adopted an ordinance that prohibits, as an incompatible land use, medical marijuana dispensaries from operating within the city
Fireworks Suppression Enforcement Program-- For the second consecutive year, the city council authorized the Sheriff’s Dept. to wage a comprehensive enforcement campaign against the use of illegal fireworks including the so-called “safe and sane” variety within the city. Along with the city newsletter newspaper articles, the suppression program included the deployment of electronic message sign boards alerting residents and passing motorists that fireworks are illegal and violators would be cited and fined. According to feedback from residents, the suppression has been a huge success
COPS Program-- The city council approved the continued funding of a Community Resource Deputy (CORE) to focus on transient issues, prostitution and gang activities, graffiti and surveillance of criminal activity
Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Health Fair-- The city sponsored the first annual Health, Safety and Emergency Expo complete with exhibits representing public health, disaster preparedness and free health screenings were provided

PARKS AND RECREATION--
A full program of seasonal sports, recreation, instructional classes and leisure activities continued on a strong note throughout the year at Lomita Park and other city venues. In addition, major activities events included:

Senior Walking Path completion and dedication ceremonies held
5K Run/Walk and Pancake Breakfast
Founders’ Day and spectacular aerial fireworks show
Railroad Museum Expansion Project and inauguration of lecture series
Mayors’ Second Annual Golf Tournament (fund-raiser for city youth program)
Recreation Department sponsored two Lomita Night trips to watch the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games. Lomita was well represented at both games
Also provided was a wide array of summer activities including a Summer Teen Program, “Movies under the Stars”, Knott's Berry Farm excursion and “Shakespeare by the Sea” event at the city hall grounds.

WATER CONSERVATION--

Water Wise Workshop was hosted by the City at no charge to residents to learn how to improve yard landscaping while conserving water. The workshop highlighted landscaping materials and techniques that help reduce water run-off and the amount of water used in the yards. The Workshop focused on such topics as basic landscape design, California-friendly plants, efficient irrigation systems, fertilizers and watering
“It’s time to get serious” conservation and water use initiative-- The City Council adopted the West Basin Municipal Water District water conservation campaign that consists of numerous programs and practical ideas designed to reduce water usage
City council approved membership with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and adopted a resolution committing the city to reducing local emissions that contribute to pollution
The city took advantage of water conservation grants from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and received approximately $5,000 of equipment in addition to a savings of $2,800 annually in water usage
The city is completing its first draft of a water conservation ordinance that will require conservation efforts aimed at reducing water usage including a set of standards for drought conditions
Making an extraordinary effort to create public awareness of water conservation with its businesses and residents the city used its newsletter, inserts with water bills and working on a “green” page for its webpage throughout the year to call attention to the need to conserve in times of drought.

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE--

To raise the capital needed to pay for water system improvements the city created a Public Financing Authority. In addition, the city assisted financial and legal consultants in the preparation of financial documents to secure Revenue Certificates of Participation for water system improvements, primarily for new construction of a 5 million gallon water reservoir, rehabilitation of Well No. 5 and water treatment facilities. The City received an enviable AA- bond rating which resulted in a lower interest loan which saved our taxpayers approximately $1.2 million dollars.
The city council scheduled meetings with its commissions and the Chamber of Commerce to discuss current issues impacting the city and worked toward addressing those issues in a uniform, transparent fashion
Coordinated efforts by AT&T to upgrade infrastructure to provide new high technology video services to residents. Lomita was one of the first cities in the South Bay to offer the new technology services
Administrative Services Dept. completed city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), achieved full compliance with new Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB 34 and GASB 44 requirements) and achieved full compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
The City was awarded its third consecutive Excellence in Financial Reporting Certificate for Fiscal Year 2006-07 by the Government Finance Officers’ Association
The City Council approved the development for video streaming of its meetings in an effort to provide additional access and transparency for city residents. By the end of the year, residents will have the ability to view council meetings on their computer at home.

PUBLIC WORKS--

Our Public Works Department completed Phase II of the Slurry Seal Program with the majority of the streets being resurfaced in the Lomita Pines and Rolling Ranchos areas
Initiated five-year Water Line Replacement and Street Improvement Programs and completed approximately 1,000,000 square feet of slurry seal to provide added life to street surfaces
Obtained $873,000 Safe Routes to School Grant and completed requirements to access $400,000 in Proposition 1B funds for street improvements
Coordinated 7th annual Arbor Day/"Looking Good Lomita" program and planted 31 new trees during event
Assisted with the Cypress Street Reservoir Environmental Impact Report and credit rating for Certificate of Participation Bonds in financing of the reservoir.

COMMUNITY SERVICES--

The City Council adopted Traffic Control Policy Guidelines as recommended by the Public Safety and Traffic Commission. The guidelines are designed to resolve traffic issues including safety, circulation and traffic complaints
Completed and assisted in documenting of required training for City employees to be compliant in National Incident Management System (NIMS) including submission requirements
Completed “swipe card” innovation and advancement in technology to replace paper vouchers for improved monitoring and management of the Dial-A-Ride and Dial-A-Taxi programs
City Council approved a towing-impound service fee
In the Residential Rehabilitation Program, Staff completed 30 rebates and grants, with an expenditure of more than $200,000 on construction repairs
Secured contract for a Capital Improvement Project at Lomita Manor in the amount of approximately $100,000 as part of the Public Housing Agency (PHA) plan.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT--

Adopted a mixed-use ordinance to encourage development in the downtown area
Adopted and had certified by the State of California the City’s Housing Element
Completed enforcement of the Retailers Tobacco Permit for retail stores and/or supermarkets that sell tobacco products
Management of the design and construction process for the Lomita Railroad Museum, California Cultural and Historical Endowment planning grant
Management of the design and construction process for the Senior Walking and Fitness Path at Lomita Park. Staff was also responsible for securing the $100,000 Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District grant that funded the project
Adopted new ordinance regulating Wireless Communication Facilities
Completed the Cypress Reservoir Environmental Impact Report for certification and coordinated the annexation of the site into the City of Lomita.

In closing, the state of the City of Lomita continues on the upswing in a good financial condition that can support public services and programs on an ongoing basis. The City can maintain existing service levels and respond to changes. However, I would be remiss in my role as mayor in delivering the State of the City address if I did not note that there are economic challenges that we as a community, state and nation will face in the upcoming months and years which will test our patience and fortitude.

I do not think that I need to get into a long discussion of such challenges at this time. This is a time for celebrating our achievements over the past year. We do need to be committed to working together in overcoming the economic distress that impacts each and every household as well as the ability of local government to assist and deliver its basic services. It will not be easy. Revenues are declining and ongoing maintenance of our infrastructure--streets, water and facilities-- are vital. We continue to play catch up and the present state of economic conditions will slow down our progress.

We need to be vigilant, patient and work together for the common good and continue to support our wonderful City of Lomita.

Mayor Margaret Estrada
City of Lomita