[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6303601,"mediaKeyId","2471181-3b0c2633a85ec48bf111b4b7f767886c","parentId",2471181,"title","Council reviews design, funding plan for Greenfield Recreation Center and Park","audioSeconds",3397,"startMs",1161000,"endMs",4558000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2471181-3b0c2633a85ec48bf111b4b7f767886c&start=1161&end=4558","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2471181-3b0c2633a85ec48bf111b4b7f767886c/thumbnail_1161000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6303601/Greenfield-City/Monterey-County/California/Council-reviews-design-funding-plan-for-Greenfield-Recreation-Center-and-Park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303601-1108cd69f87c7334711bea683cdd72c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775185532&Signature=lF37xyCEPy7s~xiJJN9I2x45JIf3pSkIUB8AX0lbbUzD7yJv5jZwiM9WqCnglKnW1VufGIVoqi6RTmqMrVtkx6vzodnbIqOPEJwYGEOvfK2tiLSP~7nQC-j~m~y9rz~rM9K1Dhl847Go4V8o15nK~~fi7g1X4euBewml0ESshYQPhqk1yC0dTUnOTcGx~IF2~2FdhPNxm9YhmdUZOUELn29NiD12OocV5wJ1LOY5qFTfV75hKvxw-YE~n21je10yKPZf0Ug4KKyxTJHfwlFmiaQkSUisLoKt-r4OCxYj9jdknrD6R4oj~eiWFeBCjOaiwitk1QL92cGb0JsOO3g8yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Greenfield CA","date","2025-02-26T16:44:51Z","article","NJA Architects presented an updated schematic design and funding plan for the Greenfield Recreation Center and Park, showing a multipurpose building, a large multiuse field and landscaped public plaza and saying the project will pursue additional grants to reach construction funding.

The presentation, given by representatives of NJA Architects, described community outreach, universal-access play areas, drought‑tolerant landscaping, a multipurpose gym and a flexible lobby intended to double as public programming space. The design team said the project has been scaled from roughly 23,000 square feet to a little over 18,000 square feet to reduce cost, and that the primary awarded grant totals $8,500,000. The team also said it will apply for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (maximum request up to $6,000,000) in August.

Why it matters: Council and residents said the park and recreation facilities are a high local priority and asked how the city will bridge a remaining funding gap. Architects described several value-engineering measures intended to keep the scheme eligible for the awarded grant while providing room for future additions such as a splash pad or aquatics facility if extra funding is found.

Design and program details
John, a presenter with NJA Architects, said the plan centers on a multiuse plaza framed by the building, a naturalistic playground and an open multipurpose field large enough to host sports, movie nights and community events. The building design emphasizes durability and low maintenance, including metal facades and a rammed earth entry feature intended as a local material reference. \"This project will be LEED silver,\" John said, listing daylighting, cool‑roof technology, solar panels, permeable paving and rainwater harvesting among proposed sustainable features.

The team described a cost‑saving strategy of using a premanufactured metal building system and reducing square footage as measures estimated to have trimmed roughly $3,000,000 from earlier budgets. The architect said a schematic-level cost estimate is under development and that a full permitting package could be ready by the end of the year, but that the project must be fully funded before breaking ground.

Funding and timing
The city has $8.5 million in grant funding already awarded for the project. The design team said applying for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (state grant) in August could bring up to $6 million more. The architect gave a current ballpark total project estimate of $18 million to $20 million and said the city would likely need an additional $10 million to $12 million to be in position to break ground next year.

Architects and staff cautioned that construction cost escalation has been significant in recent years and that the grant awarded to the city requires the project to have begun construction before the grant deadline; staff said the deadline to break ground on the awarded grant is June 2028.

Public comment and council discussion
Several residents who attended the public workshop and the council meeting urged the council to prioritize elements such as an aquatic splash pad and inclusive play equipment. Noemi Chico, a Greenfield resident, said she hopes the project does not take years to reach construction and urged a splash pad instead of an additional unlit soccer field. \"We don't need another soccer field; I think we'd rather have a splash pad,\" Noemi said during public comment.

Council members asked for more precise cost estimates and options showing the financial implications of adding square footage, lighting for the field and a splash pad. Staff and the design team committed to return with detailed cost estimates from cost consultants and options that include the additional features requested by residents.

Next steps
Staff will present the cost estimator's report and a funding‑gap update to council as design development proceeds. Councilmembers asked staff to outline specific funding options (including use of local reserves or ARPA funds) and to return with comparative costings for add-on features such as field lighting and a splash pad.

Ending: Council praised the design work and the community outreach and asked the architects and staff to return with cost estimates and a refined funding strategy to move the project toward construction.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 25, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","NJA Architects presented an updated schematic design and funding plan for the Greenfield Recreation Center and Park, describing an 18,000-square-foot multipurpose building, landscaping and a multiuse field and saying the city will pursue a second grant and other funding to bridge a remaining gap.","taxTitle","Greenfield City, Monterey County, California","taxId",71906,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303592,"Council votes 3–2 to create public safety director role and assign police chief; debate centers on safety and cost",1619,5670000,7289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2471181-3b0c2633a85ec48bf111b4b7f767886c&start=5670&end=7289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2471181-3b0c2633a85ec48bf111b4b7f767886c/thumbnail_5670000.jpg","/articles/6303592/Greenfield-City/Monterey-County/California/Council-votes-32-to-create-public-safety-director-role-and-assign-police-chief-debate-centers-on-safety-and-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303592-2d149021f34701968602546d5ce7b06e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775185532&Signature=Ez1W87vje4wvz03TzC-Qzu~IEX6ep-IxSmUHdtPT-~PhREdt1h9~wBuuxaS0fnpnC5gzP24ETk091HSIS4g0Fg7~W2Eqp9taw0vTDLqmU85YkGkBuk3qmnPnzQtcNjPi5SQ-Vqk-Yby434xlkLcWqJycE8W-4G1zJNtGSYRPaInDztiG0kODq8pZ2j9iGgzPeqNW5BXhV02qEtYmJ3h7TpfMhGMhBNH8JMVtyMCbp5OltqTMjbwEyupGkj794ZcdDsBpUUhBZQMLe58kB6UNMIkijw~jQEB3UneD62HsZ~ovJ4tuYCMMu90-uOEAxc2Pc72WZ8kDO0-YrY6QO37o6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted 3–2 to establish a public safety director position, deactivate the fire chief post upon the incumbent’s retirement and assign Police Chief Bill Mixer to the new director role. The decision followed a lengthy staff report, public comment and extended council debate about savings, operational risk and the need for comparative data from similar cities.

City Manager Paul Wood presented the proposal to combine executive leadership for the police and fire departments. Staff said the approach would reduce executive headcount and yield an estimated one‑time savings of about $97,911 for the remainder of the current fiscal year and an annualized saving of about $217,000 in 2025–26, before accounting for possible out‑of‑class pay or other adjustments for captains and support staff.

Why it matters: The change would replace a separate fire chief with a consolidated public safety director (to be filled by the police chief) and redistribute responsibilities to captains and other staff. Several residents and councilmembers said that consolidating command risks weakening specialized fire leadership; others noted the city’s tight budget and supported seeking savings.

Proposal details and fiscal figures
Paul Wood explained the plan: deactivate the fire chief and police chief positions and create a single public safety director position, proposed to be filled by the city’s police chief. The staff report itemized potential financial impacts: salary adjustments, the elimination of incident‑command stipends previously paid for an on‑call incident commander, potential outsourcing of certain fire‑marshal responsibilities and modest increases for captains or administrative support based on negotiated out‑of‑class duties. The staff estimate labeled some figures provisional because labor negotiations and outsourcing costs remain undetermined.

Public comment
Multiple residents urged caution and asked council to retain separate leadership for police and fire. One longtime resident, Layala, told the council, \"This has been the safest I've felt in Greenfield in a long time... Please, I urge you, reconsider this.\" Other speakers raised concerns about firefighter succession, the technical expertise required for fire operations and potential outsourcing costs for a fire marshal.

Council debate and vote
Council members discussed whether the change should be temporary, how long the council should test the model and whether staff should provide comparative data from other jurisdictions. Several council members asked staff to return quickly with salary comparisons and examples of other cities that use a consolidated public safety director model.

On the motion to adopt the resolution establishing the public safety director and assigning the police chief, the roll call vote was: Council member Jones — yes; Council member Garcia — no; Council member Ortiz — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez — no; Mayor White — yes. The motion carried 3–2. Council directed staff to return at the next meeting with comparative salary data and examples of similar arrangements in other cities.

Votes at a glance
- K1: Resolution approving a supplemental appropriation of $61,162 to move two sewer vehicle expenditures from FY 2023–24 to FY 2024–25 — adopted (voice vote).
- K2: Resolution transferring $60,000 of water CIP funds to Well No. 7 for pump and electrical repair — adopted (voice vote).
- K3: Resolution establishing Public Safety Director position and amending the unrepresented salary schedule — adopted by roll call, 3–2 (Jones yes; Garcia no; Ortiz yes; Rodriguez no; White yes).

Ending: Council approved the structural change and asked staff to return quickly with comparative salary and structural examples from other cities and a clearer cost breakdown for any outsourced fire‑marshal services or pay adjustments for captains and administrative staff.","Facing a retiring fire chief, Greenfield City Council voted 3–2 to deactivate the fire chief post, create a public safety director position and assign the police chief as director. Supporters cited budget savings; opponents and residents warned the change could weaken fire leadership and asked for comparative data before the move.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6303596,"Midyear review: Greenfield’s revenues lag budget while personnel costs drive spending",608,4366000,4974000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2471181-3b0c2633a85ec48bf111b4b7f767886c&start=4366&end=4974","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2471181-3b0c2633a85ec48bf111b4b7f767886c/thumbnail_4366000.jpg","/articles/6303596/Greenfield-City/Monterey-County/California/Midyear-review-Greenfields-revenues-lag-budget-while-personnel-costs-drive-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303596-f38bc0410aa0f0237d7fbcc741494997/orig.mp4?Expires=1775185532&Signature=HPoceVPJW6h7bw48jyQJ9Jsyuc0H9wErL~jC6Y-S0Ur76hYKY9M5Af3EtrHBhPnznUKWABnnZ3ksQuvH28vRnA0uW8CWoxz~di7iYOl4tfIhc9CjObolE2n-0HeRb-UqJ8ISvKKeG87C8gStGpSnvlhkucDLaQOSJqP7WE86ilcuv2xghHEYYQYe8v2MGB3KOrmGmHxqZsU1yzZeabcpR1gkw5ONh5rR~bN6yoSHqZWp59XLCsVCVhcgmMOpdFs~3AO-gbnvi9EWKtoay1RMIFDc7-Q-~Op3AHJapvyiqlTQsaTwrMPvMIya3nBF08y9zJpwde2~BmwzhiXsvN9zXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance staff gave a midyear financial review showing revenues lagging budgeted targets while personnel costs remain the largest spending category.

Finance Director Ed told the City Council the general fund is budgeted for roughly $21 million in revenues and $21 million in expenditures. Through the July–December accrual period revenues are about $9.4 million, or roughly 44% of the annual budget, and expenditures are at about 47% of budget, leaving a midpoint shortfall of about $600,000 compared with target pacing.

Why it matters: Sales tax and certain fee streams have been weaker than budgeted; personnel expenses comprise about 80% of the city’s operating spending, so the city has limited options other than slowing hiring or trimming services to rebalance the budget.

Key points from the presentation
- Major revenue drivers: fees and permits (construction/permits), cannabis taxes and transient occupancy taxes (TOT) were discussed; cannabis and other taxes are collected on a schedule that can affect midyear numbers. Ed said some franchise fee receipts and construction permits typically come in later in the fiscal year.
- Expenditures: roughly 47% of budgeted expenditures are spent at midyear. The finance director said the city is more fully staffed than a year ago and that personnel costs are a primary driver of spending.
- ARPA and fund balances: Council discussed how prior years’ ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) receipts — roughly $4.2 million received in earlier years — are available in fund balance but were recognized as revenue in previous fiscal years. That creates the appearance of a shortfall in the current year when the city appropriates those prior-year funds for projects such as wastewater plant repairs; the city reported it has committed $1.2 million of ARPA funds for the wastewater treatment plant.

Council direction and fiscal outlook
Councilmembers questioned where additional savings might be found and asked staff to prepare options for the FY 2025–26 budget. Finance staff recommended careful control of hiring and overtime, a closer look at people‑related costs, and identification of any nonessential spending that can be delayed until revenues improve.

Ending: Staff will return with the cost estimates and scenarios for the next year’s budget process. Council members stressed caution and asked staff to bring proposed hiring and spending adjustments back for early review during the FY 2025–26 budget cycle.
","Finance staff reported general fund revenues are at about 44% of budget through midyear while expenditures are at about 47%, leaving a midyear shortfall largely tied to economy‑linked revenues and staffing patterns; council was advised to slow hiring and account for ARPA fund timing in next year’s budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews design, funding plan for Greenfield Recreation Center and Park

Council votes 3–2 to create public safety director role and assign police chief; debate centers on safety and cost

Midyear review: Greenfield’s revenues lag budget while personnel costs drive spending