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Council hears crossing‑guard funding shortfall; staff seeks options to maintain service through school year
Summary
Councilors and staff discussed a funding gap for crossing‑guard bonuses and continuing current service levels through the end of the school year. Staff refined an initial estimate and described options including one‑time funding, union notification and short‑term staffing solutions; council asked staff to return with formal amendment options.
City Council members and staff discussed a funding shortfall for crossing‑guard pay and bonuses after disruptions caused by recent fires and other events.
Transportation and program staff said their first estimate for the bonus program was $3.3 million; as they gathered data the estimate was refined to $2.5 million, which staff described as leaving a $1.5 million deficit for the program if all proposed bonuses were implemented. Staff said the final figure will depend on how many crossing guards meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
The discussion focused on maintaining the current level of crossing‑guard service through the end of the school year and on where to find one‑time funds to close the gap. Staff warned that funding sources and timing vary: some funds set to expire in March, and any program modification would require notice to unions and coordination with payroll procedures. Staff proposed options including reallocating departmental funds, seeking recommendations from a finance advisory body and preparing a formal amendment for council consideration.
Public commenter Yitzelyn, who identified herself as a 911 worker, urged support for the crossing‑guard budget, saying crossing guards ‘‘help families and children’’ and prevent accidents by stopping traffic and keeping kids safe while crossing streets.
Council members emphasized the need for flexibility in the short term while staff continues to refine costs. Staff said they could use overtime or hire temporary workers to process applications in other agenda contexts and that, if handled correctly, some extra costs could be structured to be reimbursable. Staff asked for formal direction and an amendment so funding could be secured through the end of the school year.
No roll‑call vote to appropriate new funds for the crossing‑guard program was recorded in the transcript during this meeting. Council members directed staff to return with a formal amendment and recommended funding sources to maintain current service levels until the end of the school year.
Next steps: transportation staff will prepare amendment language and funding options, notify relevant labor representatives as required and return to council with cost estimates and recommended sources.
