Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1991-03-04 ," .rlt~:.'tJ..:' " ," ~~.,. 2-25-91/3-4-91 I ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mayor ProTem Laszlo declared Oral Communications open. Ms. Beverly Casares, Seal Beach, spoke in favor of Council Concerns being listed first on the agenda, also that the Closed Session listed at the end of the agenda be deleted since Closed Sessions are now held prior to the regular meeting, that the topic of the Closed Session be printed, also that city staff rather than the contract risk management firm process workers compensation matters. She suggested that the Acting City Manager prepare whistle blower legislation in the interest of all employees for consideration. Councilmember Hastings inquired if the City has an policy to protect employee jobs in the event they bring information forward. The Assistant city Attorney said he believed there is State legislation that would protect employee jobs that would likewise apply to the city. It was the consensus of the Council to request the City Attorney to research and prepare such ordinance for consideration. T~ere being no further comments, Mayor ProTem Laszlo declared Oral Communications closed. I, CLOSED SESSION The Assistant City Attorney announced that the city Council would meet in Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 to discuss pending litigation in the case of Mola Development Corporation versus City of Seal Beach, and a personnel matter. It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn to Closed Session at 1:35 a.m. The Council reconvened at 2:04 a.m. with Mayor ProTem Laszlo calling the meeting to order. The Assistant city Attorney reported the Council had discussed the matters previously announced and gave direction regarding the pending litigation. ADJOURNMENT It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn until Monday, March 4, 1991 at 9:00 a.m. for a budget workshop. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 2:05 a.m. of the Approved: ~ ~.~~) Mayor Attest: I Seal Beach, California March 4, 1991 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 9:02 a.m. with Mayor Wilson calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. 3-4-91 ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Wilson Councilmembers Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo Absent: Councilman Hunt Also present: Mr. Archibold, Acting city Manager Ms. Yeo, city Clerk I, WAIVER OF FULL READING Laszlo moved, second by Forsythe, to waive the reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions and that consent to the waiver of reading shall be deemed to be given by all Councilmembers after reading of the title unless specific request is made at that time for the reading of such ordinance or resolution. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo, Wilson None Hunt Motion carried RESOLUTION NUMBER 4023 - ARGUMENTS - MEASURE B-91 - SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION - JUNE 4. 1991 Resolution Number 4023 was presented to Council entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SETTING PRIORITIES FOR FILING A WRITTEN ARGUMENT REGARDING AN INITIATIVE MEASURE. II By unanimous consent, full reading of Resolution Number 4023 was waived. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo Wilson Hunt Motion carried I WORKSHOP - 1991/92 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET The Acting City Manager referred to the budget preparation calendar, reported the Departmental budgets have been submitted, that during the month of March the preliminary budgets will be reviewed and the Finance Director will be providing revenue estimates based upon the State subventions which are presently unknown. He stated the purpose of the workshop was for the Council to provide direction to staff, also that it is anticipated the draft budget will be presented to Council by May 1st in order to schedule further budget sessions. Councilmember Hastings requested that the Departments provide more detail of proposed expenditures by line item. Councilmember Forsythe suggested that the Council be provided with the preliminary Departmental submittals now for initial review and ~uestions could then be posed to the specific department or the Acting city Manager. Mr. Archibold stated the preliminary budget changes nearly on a daily basis, also asked that any inquiries be made through him. He reported that based upon December revenue projections it appears the departmental budgets can be allowed a three percent upwards adjustment, however that may be revised during the budget process. Councilmember Hastings objected to any percentage increase of the budget given the unknown increased expenditures for water, election costs, etc., and the lack of ability to replace reserves that have been used for various purposes. Councilmember Forsythe inquired if staff is devoting equal effort to looking at revenue enhancements, as an example if the City pursues business licenses as a result of the DBA legal publications. The Acting city Manager said increases to the Comprehensive Fee Resolution will be provided the Council with the recommended budget, that the DBA matter is being looked at, and that the revenue projections will be provided the Council in the draft budget. Councilmember I I 1 I , . 3-4-91 Hastings again objected to a three percent departmental budget increase, stated that expenditures must be confined to revenues and if not there will certainly be shortfalls, suggesting that there may be a need to freeze wages, and again asked for a more definitive line item budget. Councilmember Forsythe cautioned that a detailed line item budget could cost more staff time that it would be worth. The Acting City Manager said he would provide the Council with the initial departmental budgets within a week. Councilman Laszlo offered that placing a hold on departmental budgets could be a possibility, however employee raises should not be discussed. He recommended that placing the utility Users Tax on cable television should be a consideration, and in turn may preclude a cable rate increase. The Acting City Manager explained that cable rates are regulated by the 1986 Cable Act however their rates can be increased based upon the cost of doing business. The Acting City Manager reviewed the known impacts on the 1991/92 budget. The population reduction as a result of the 1990 census causing a decrease,of General Fund revenues by $79,075 and gas tax funds by $46,801; federal legislation requiring social security for part-time employees at 6.2 percent or a budget increase of $31,000, that placing those employees in PERS or a deferred compensation program is being researched; mandatory medical effective January, 1992 resulting in a $21,200 increase or .08 percent of payroll, increasing to 1.45 percent in 1994; an estimated budget increase of $25,000 for booking fees and $3700 for property tax administration as the result of Senate Bill 2557 which allows counties to recover such costs; and an increase of the County fire contract by at least eight percent. He explained that the contract cities have determined to oppose any increase over eight percent, that a fire service equity study is being proposed, and there is discussion of forming a fire district among those cities that currently use County Fire services. He noted that the cost of fire service is based upon a formula utilizing the calls for service, assessed valuation, and population. Mr. Archibold also reported there is only six months of non-sworn PERS credit remaining, thereafter the City will again commence payment of PERS costs. He said there are no other intergovernmental costs foreseen at this time, and that SB2557 continues to be contested by the League. Discussion continued with regard to the fire services, possible increase of property and sales tax revenues, and coordination of police dispatch with the City of Los Alamitos. The Acting Finance Director reviewed in brief the estimated June 30th fund balances as well as the actual balances from 1986/87 through 1989/90, specifically the general trend of revenues. Councilmember Hastings requested an explanation of the Low Income Housing Fund, showing no appropriation from i986 through 1990 and $104,000 for 1991/92. Councilman Laszlo noted that based upon the figures presented it appears the city has been over-spending from reserves approximately $500,000 per year, yet it was his understanding that was not occurring. Mr. Zaharas confirmed the projected Redevelopment Agency ending balance of $604,000, that there are certain monies set aside to cover the indebtedness of two bond issues from that amount, and offered to confirm whether the $604,000 is before or after the amount to satisfy the debt service, also explained that the low income housing set aside can only be met after all other obligations have been satisfied. He offered to also review the status of the Surfs ide Project Area and satisfaction of that set aside. with regard to expenditures from the reserve funds, Mr. Archibold suggested 3-4-91 establishing long term goals and solutions to replenish those funds. In response to Council he reported there are presently three Police Officers on disability leave, there are two on light duty, and one non-sworn employee is on disability leave. Councilmember Hastings expressed concern with the costs associated with disability leave. Councilmember Forsythe again mentioned revenue sources, the potential for certain revenues to be overlooked, as an example the recently adopted harmful matter ordinance, and if there is non-compliance a citation can be issued, the business license requirement another source, and offered that it could be worthwhile to consider an additional employee for the sole purpose of such compliance. Councilmember Hastings recalled that Long Beach computes a business license on rental property based upon gross income on an incremental formula. A member of the audience mentioned a new revenue enhancing program in another community where a license fee is imposed on landlords of commercial buildings based upon the square footage, a ma~datory fee in addition to the business license, also discussion of enacting a fee for residential income property. In response to Council, the Acting Finance Director confirmed that the insurance reserve amount is inadequate and does not meet the required $900,000 of the Orange County cities Risk Management Authority. Councilmember Forsythe again emphasized the need to look to revenue enhancements, imposing of fines for noncompliance, made reference to a group in another community that works with the City to raise funds for special projects, and suggested that the service organizations be encouraged to do so. Councilmember Hastings suggested that the special event fees be reviewed and updated. Councilman Laszlo asked that the Environmental Reserve Tax also be reviewed, and that there be more line item detail in the budget. Mayor Wilson spoke favorably of a two year budget. with regard to service levels, Councilmember Forsythe indicated they were adequate in District Three. Councilmember Hastings said the curbs and pot holes in the alleys are in need of repair in the downtown area, also repair or improvement to the lighting in the alleys. Councilman Laszlo suggested that current service levels be maintained, noted some cities are raising their utility users tax, and offered that possibly a hiring freeze should be imposed or that hiring be postponed until at least after June. It was suggested that the need for interns be looked into. The Acting city Manager noted that there is presently one police officer vacancy, a vacancy in Personnel, the Finance Department and the Director of Public Works. I I ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Wilson declared Oral Communications open. A member of the audience inquired as to the Council's vote to allow telephone companies to enter the cable industry, and stated the cable companies now have a monopoly. Council responded that the cable companies are under Federal law, also the benefit of the Cable Foundation to provide local programming and greater local control was a factor in the Council's action. Ms. Mitzi Morton suggested that it may be cost effective to allocate more funds to sidewalk repair which could possibly prevent trip and fall claims against the City. She also asked if the various City departments cooperate with each other with regard to workloads. The Acting City Manager confirmed that all departments cooperate and work together. There being no further commehts, Mayor Wilson declared Oral Communications closed. I ", 3-4-91/3-11-91 ADJOURNMENT Laszlo moved, second by Forsythe, to adjourn the meeting until Monday, March 11th at 5:30 p.m. I AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo, Wilson None Hunt Motion carried The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m. erk and ex- of Seal Beach Approved: ~d-J {{. W~ Mayor Attest: I Seal Beach, California March 11, 1991 The City Council of the city of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 5:30 p.m. with Mayor Wilson calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Wilson Councilmembers Forsythe, Hastings, Hunt, Laszlo Absent: None I Also present: Mr. Archibold, Acting City Manager Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk Mayor Wilson introduced Supervisor Harriett Wieder who was present for a workshop session regarding various issues of interest to both the County and the city. The Supervisor mentioned matters of traffic and transportation, water and air quality, hazardous waste, and the criminal justice system as being some of the issues of regional concern, many of which are mandated and impact the cities as well as the County. She noted that the items of discussion at this meeting relate to the fiscal status of the County and the impact on the cities, the Fire Department equity study and fees, the impact of Measure M, the Transportation Management Plan, and Waste Reduction and Recycling. Mr. Ron RUbino, Director of Management and Budget, reported the County budget is nearly $3.4 billion, the General Fund approximately $1.3 billion from which the various social and health care programs, law enforcement, courts, etc. are funded, the other funds basically restricted. He noted last year the County budget was $15 million short after cuts, that problem worsened as a result of State funding