Tag Archives: Elena Adair

The $253.2 million gorilla

Posted on June 16, 2019 by Robert Sullwold

Whom can Alamedans count on now to do battle with the gorilla in the basement of City Hall? That’s what those of us who fear the predations of the gorilla – more formally known as the City’s accrued liability for … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Pensions | Tagged CalPERS, Elena Adair, Eric Levitt, Jeff DelBono, Jill Keimach, Jim Oddie, John Knox White, Liz Warmerdam, Malia Vella, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, OPEB, Pension/OPEB trust, Tony Daysog | 9 Comments

Memo to the City Manager (Part I)

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Robert Sullwold

Years ago, there was a sports writer named Jimmy Cannon who penned a syndicated column called, “Nobody asked me, but . . .” Today, the Merry-Go-Round begins a series of posts about the major challenges we think new City Manager … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged CalPERS, Community paramedicine program, Elena Adair, Fire marshal, Fire Prevention Bureau, Jennifer Ott, Jim Oddie, John Russo, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Minimum wage, Pensions, Property transfer tax, SAFER, Sales tax, Tony Daysog, Trish Spencer, User fees, Utility user's tax | 4 Comments

The latest financial update

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

Those Alamedans who weren’t able to stay up after 2 a.m. to catch the end of the live feed, or who later quit watching the video after seven hours, missed what may have been the most significant – and troubling … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Pensions | Tagged CalPERS, Doug Long, Elena Adair, Frank Matarrese, General Fund, IAFF Local 689, Jim Oddie, Malia Vella, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, NHA Advisors, Trish Spencer, Unfunded liability | 2 Comments

Spend away!

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

Three weeks ago, the Merry-Go-Round reported on City Finance Director Elena Adair’s forecast that, if all of the additional spending proposed for the next two fiscal years were to take place, the “available balance” in the General Fund would drop … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters, Pensions | Tagged CalPERS, Carolyn Hogg, Elena Adair, Jill Keimach, Jim Oddie, Kevin Kearney, Kevin Kennedy, Liam Garland, Malia Vella, OPEB, Trish Spencer | 3 Comments

There goes the “surplus”!

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

Wanna see how to make $32 million disappear in just five years? Then you ought to show up Wednesday at Council Chambers for the budget workshop, and City Finance Director Elena Adair will show you how it’s done. Or maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters, Pensions | Tagged CalPERS, Disaster preparedness division, Doug Long, Elena Adair, Fire Prevention Bureau, Fred Marsh, General Fund, Jim Oddie, Malia Vella, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Paul Rolleri | 2 Comments

The hidden costs of development

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

If you believe Willdan Financial Services – and why wouldn’t you? – 3,227 persons will be living, and another 5,016 working, every day at Alameda Point when the site is fully built out. In addition, again according to Willdan (in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, City Hall, Development | Tagged 1435 Webster, 2100 Clement Ave., Alameda Landing, Alameda Marina, Boatworks, Debbie Potter, Del Monte warehouse, Development Impact Fee, Doug Long, Elena Adair, Encinal Terminals, John Russo, Lena Tam, Marie Gilmore, Marina Shores, Paul Rolleri, Shipways, Stewart Chen, Tim Lewis Communities, WIlldan | 9 Comments

Lock it up

Posted on April 9, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

If we recall correctly, it was Al Gore who first introduced the concept of a “lock box” into the political lexicon. The idea was to put certain governmental funds beyond the reach of Congress so that the money could be … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Pensions | Tagged Elena Adair, Fiscal Sustainability Committee, Frank Matarrese, OPEB, Other postemployment benefits, Pension/OPEB Task Force, Tony Daysog | 1 Comment

A monument to . . . what?

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

The Merry-Go-Round hopes that, when the new Emergency Operations Center and Fire Station No. 3 finally open in May, about a year behind schedule, the City will offer free guided tours to Alameda residents. The last we heard, only one … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged Alten Construction, Bob Haun, BRW, Doug deHaan, Elena Adair, Emergency operations center, EOC, Fire station no. 3, IAFF Local 689, IBank, Jill Keimach, John Russo, Liz Warmerdam, Malia Vella, Marie Gilmore, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft | 8 Comments

Alameda’s favorite Uncle

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

The Merry-Go-Round knows better than to interject ourselves into the debate over the best way to protect the City of Alameda and its residents from Donald Trump and the Republican party. We’re confident that our Council members will pass a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, Budget, City Hall, Development, Firefighters, Housing | Tagged Amy Wooldridge, Ann Marie Gallant, CDBG, Cross Alameda Trail, Dave Kapler, Doug Long, Elena Adair, HOME, ICMA, Jean Sweeney, Jennifer Ott, Jill Kleimach, Jim Oddie, Paul Rolleri, SAFER | 1 Comment

The selling of the UMA

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

There is something very troubling about the way in which the City, through its ballot arguments and mailers, is marketing the “Utility Modernization Act” to Alameda voters. For those of our readers familiar only with the rent-related items on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall | Tagged Alameda Municipal Power, AMP, Elena Adair, Janet Kern, Liz Warmerdam, Measure K1, Public Utilities Board, Sarah Henry, Trish Spencer, UMA, Utility Modernization Act, Utility user's tax, UUT | 10 Comments

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