Westside Revitalization Study Phase I -
Service Delivery Study

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, the City Council approved spending $1.1 million to increase the level of various services to the city's Westside. A study of the area showed that while the Westside receives about the same level of municipal services as other parts of the city, there are deficiencies in some areas. The funds will pay for 13 new employees and improve the city's ability to address a wide range of issues, including neighborhood code enforcement, traffic problems, building construction complaints and illegal dumping of trash.

Below is a copy of the City Council Report. If you would like to comment on this issue, send an e-mail to budget.research@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-4800.

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City Council Report

This report provides the results of our recent review of Westside service levels as they compare to citywide service levels. Overall, our review found that service levels in the Westside area of our City were comparable to citywide service levels. Some specific service levels slightly exceeded citywide levels. Others were slightly below citywide levels. We are recommending additions be approved at this time to address those areas where services are unacceptably below citywide levels. Another important outcome from this study is that our review helped us to identify a series of issues for further study and analysis during future phases of this project.

The Issue

The Westside has played a crucial role in the development of the City. The Westside community is engaged and ready to participate in improving the City. As we have done in other areas of the City, the goal of this project is to provide an engine for sustainable improvements to take hold on the Westside. Over time the Westside will develop a new identity compatible with its long history and unique characteristics. The entire City will benefit as the Westside is revitalized.

As a result, the Mayor and City Council approved staff's recommendation for a Westside Revitalization Study at the June 22 policy session. (Boundaries of the Westside area were defined as Dunlap to the north, the 101 Freeway on the west, 19th Avenue on the east and Van Buren Street to the south.) As provided in staff's June 22 report, a major revitalization effort will require a number of measures of varying degrees over a period of time. The issues and challenges currently faced by the Westside developed over time. A successful strategy will take time to develop and implement. Therefore, this project was divided into three phases. The first phase is the service delivery study presented in this report. Phase two will include defining targeted areas, working with the community to set priorities in each area and proposing medium term projects. Phase three will include the development and evaluation of long-term revitalization programs. These programs will require substantial resources.

As noted earlier, we are recommending service adjustments be approved and implemented immediately. These recommendations will address several areas where services levels have fallen below citywide service levels and will provide resources to proceed with future phases of this project. These adjustments will require a General Fund contingency allocation of $380,000 and an allocation of Solid Waste, Development Services and Arizona Highway User Revenue (AHUR) Funds. 13 new positions are requested.

Mid-term and long term recommendations have also been developed for consideration during phases 2 and 3 of this project. These recommendations are more difficult and complex to quantify and implement and will require the work and collaboration of many City departments and the community. Several of our recommendations ask that programs be developed in time for consideration in the 2005-06 budget. As work continues, more ideas will emerge.

Service Delivery Survey Results

In July we asked City departments to identify all the services they deliver to our residents and to provide performance results both on a citywide basis and for the Westside area. In our review and analysis of the information provided by City departments, we were surprised at the consistency of service levels. In general, service levels to the Westside are in line with citywide service levels. There are minor variances here and there both "to the good" and "to the bad."

Recommendations for Immediate Increase in Westside Resources

Attachment A provides an overview of our recommendations. The first group of recommendations will result in an immediate increase in services to the Westside. This will respond to service delivery areas where the Westside is materially behind other areas of the City and to areas where immediate resources are needed to proceed with later phases of this project. These recommendations will require an allocation of $380,000 in General Fund contingencies; an allocation of $144,000 in Development Services funds; $497,000 in Solid Waste funds; $80,000 in AHUR funds and the creation of 13 positions. Ongoing annual General Fund costs will amount to $387,000.

Longer-Term Recommendations

The remaining items included in Attachment A have been grouped into mid-term and long-term recommendations. The mid-term issues require more development and study over the next several months and, in many cases will need to be considered as part of developing the 2005-06 budget. Long term issues and strategies will require considerable study and deliberation. The funding needed to carry them out will be significant.

Policy Issues Needing Study and Discussion

During the course of this study, four issues surfaced that will require extensive study and policy discussion. Successful solutions to these difficult problems will require the development of new policies and procedures. The adoption of new ordinances (or amendments to existing ordinances) may also be required.

Cruising: The effects of cruising are significant for Westside residents. The traffic congestion, noise, and intrusion into surrounding neighborhoods are serious problems. The inability for public safety vehicles to respond quickly and effectively to emergency calls presents a real risk to the health and safety of Westside residents. Cruising can attract criminal activity. Special enforcement efforts by the Police Department take resources from other areas of the community. A long-term solution is a critical component of redeveloping the Westside and attracting new investment.

Group homes and the clustering of sex offenders: The clustering of group homes, and sex offenders, is of great concern to Westside residents. Practices of some landlords and service providers create difficulties in dealing with resident concerns. Apartment complexes may rent to numerous sex offenders but are not considered a group home if no more than five adults live in any one apartment. Federal requirements, including the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act may also affect our ability to address neighborhood concerns. Balancing community concerns with federal law will require study and deliberation. So far, our attempts to get additional enforcement tools through the legislature have been unsuccessful. Staff has issued an RFP to study the effects of the clustering of sex offenders. Results of this study should serve as a useful beginning for additional discussion and consideration of this issue.

Rental housing policy: The majority of renter-occupied housing provides an asset to our community. Like many tough issues, it is the few that create the majority of problems. One idea that has surfaced is the establishment of a rental code. This could include mandatory inspections for all rental units, licensing of rental units on some sort of schedule including license fees, and incentives for participation in the Crime-Free Multi Housing Program. Such a policy would require a great deal of study and community discussion. The Westside would provide a good pilot area for a policy that could ultimately provide value citywide.

Multi-family housing: Similar to the rental housing policy described above, the majority of multi-family housing is an asset to the community. Over the past few years, however, several issues have surfaced which cause significant problems for some areas of the City. Of particular concern for Westside residents is the practice of renting apartments by the day or hour. Developing a policy of levying fines and/or hotel/motel taxes in such instances might discourage the practice and provide additional financial resources. A great deal of research and discussion is required. Such a policy would provide an additional enforcement tool Citywide. The Westside would provide a good pilot area.

Other Information Attached to this Report

This report includes two other detailed informational attachments. Attachment B provides a brief analysis of the service data information provided by City departments. Attachment C provides a compilation of all the service delivery data collected.

The information provided in the attachments is the result of a tremendous amount of work by City departments. We appreciate the help everyone has provided to us in this study.

Recommendation and City Council Action Requested

Staff recommends the approval of the service adjustments identified for immediate implementation. Staff also recommends the allocation of $380,000 in General Fund contingencies; an allocation of $497,000 in Solid Waste Funds; $144,000 in Development Services Funds and $80,000 in AHUR funds. We recommend approval for 13 new positions.

Staff also recommends analysis of mid-term issues for consideration in the budget process and continued study and deliberation of the long-term strategies identified.

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Attachment A provides an overview of recommended improvements to Westside services.

Attachment B provides a brief analysis of the service data information provided by City departments.

Attachment C provides a compilation of all the service delivery data collected.