Walnut Creek Wants to Spare Its Band—But Not Pay for the Masters Swim Coach

The Walnut Creek City Council Tuesday clarified those programs it wants to cut, and those it still wants to save, to close a $20 million budget shortfall. While the Walnut Creek Concert Band is on the list of recommended cuts, the City Council very much wants to keep it. 

The band's Memorial Day performance reminded Walnut Creek residents that the city needs the band, council members said. Mayor Sue Rainey was particularly adamant about keeping the orchestra, which performs at official city events and provides free and low-cost concerts to the public. Mayor Pro Term Cindy Silva agreed with her. "We should look at the City Council contingency money to save it, "said Silva.

However, the city might not be able to keep another of its signature services, the downtown trolley, or at least maintain it as a free service. Silva said the city should do a survey to find out who is riding the trolley and why.  "We should find out what the free concept does to to the ridership," said Silva.  Council member Gary Skrel agreed. "The trolley doesn't have to be free."

As for the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Council Member Bob Simmons said Walnut Creek should not be the only city helping to fund this nonprofit wildlife museum and rescue center.  "Some of the animals at the Lindsay are not from Walnut Creek.  It is a regional cultural entity," said Simmons.  He said Walnut Creek could make a challenge grant to the Lindsay, and suggested that the museum has a great deal support throughout the area and would be in a good position to garner donations, either from other cities or from the public.

The council members agreed that school crossing guards are necessary for the safety of students, especially those crossing two major thoroughfares that run through town. But some council members suggested there might be other ways to fund it, including asking parents to volunteer as guards. Rainey referred to the parent  volunteer crossing guard program at Valle Verde Elementary, which her grandchildren attend.

As for city-funded youth programs, such as crisis counselors at the schools, the therapeutic recreational summer camp for disabled children, and the Arts, Adventure and Academics camp--also known as the "Triple A" camp--the council members directed staff to find ways to save them. 

However, the council wants to do away with what Council member Kish Rajan called an "anachronism": paying the salaries of the coaching staff, including that of head coach Kerry O'Brien, for the Masters Swim Team. The team should come up with the money for that, just as members of other Walnut Creek aquatics programs pay for their own coaches. Mike Piazza, a member of the Masters Swim Team, told the council that the team could look for new ways to fund its coach. 

In these ongoing budget talks--aimed at finalizing the 2010-12 budget--the council also heard a new idea: to impose fees on downtown bars that stay open past midnight. You can read about the discussion about this proposal in this accompanying story.

The city council will hold another special budget meeting on June 8 and is expected to adopt its budget on June 15.