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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1990-06-06 6-4-90/6-6-90 that the City Attorney be requested to review the partnership concept and determine if the map under consideration can be approved for Mola Development Corporation. The City Attorney advised that they would be reviewing whether the parties to the development agreement will need to be changed, what effect there may be with regard to the applications, and discuss with the attorneys for Mola the exact form of the changes. There being no further comments, Mayor Wilson declared Oral Communications closed. I ADJOURNMENT It was the order of the Chair, with consent of the Council, to adjourn the meeting until Wednesday, June 6th at 2:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 2:21 a.m. clerk of the Approved: ~ -f.. V~ Mayor Qwilbl ~ o CJ.ty Cletk I Attest: Seal Beach, California June 6, 1990 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 2:30 p.m. with Mayor Wilson calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Wilson Councilmembers Forsythe, Hunt, Laszlo Councilmember Hastings Absent: Councilmember Hastings arrived at the meeting at 3:00 p.m. Also present: Mr. Nelson, City Manager Mr. Archibold, Assistant to the city Manager Mr. Thomas, Finance Director Mr. Zaharas, Assistant Finance Director Chief Stearns, Police Department Captain Garrett, Police Department Captain Maiten, Police Department Mr. Whittenberg, Director of Development Services Mr. Jue, Director of Public Works/ City Engineer Mr. Osteen, Recreation Director Chief Dorsey, Lifeguard Department Mr. CUshman, Lifeguard Department Mrs. Yeo, city Clerk I 6-6-90 CLOSED SESSION The City Manager recommended that the Closed Session be held on June 11th or at the close of this meeting. I BUDGET WORKSHOP The City Council continued the departmental budget review. Chief Dorsey reviewed the budget of the Lifeguard Department, noted an increase of salary and wages only as a result of annual wage adjustments, seasonal and move-up pay, explained that $3500 was removed from Account 16 and placed in Account 31, that Account reflecting an overall increase of $2100 and includes purchase of wetsuits, photo development, tide books, and computer supplies; Account 33 reduced from $500 to $100; Account 43 reflecting a boat cover, certification of oxygen bottles, repair of CPR manikins, public address systems, certification of resuscitators, and repair of the thirty-five year old switchboard; Account 47 providing for the contract with Orange County Communications; and Account 48 covering telephone services. I Councilman Hunt objected to reviewing the budget document on a line by line basis. In response to Council, the Chief explained the budget proposes the purchase of six wetsuits of various sizes which are used to combat the cold and elements. Councilman Laszlo stated he did not feel the budget contained adequate information and asked for a line by line detail of all accounts, referring specifically to vehicles, the number of replacements, repairs, etc., as well as items such as radios in the Lifeguard Department. The City Manager explained that in years past a decision was made by the Council that items such as auto maintenance would be set forth as a separate category which is Account 50, and offered that an inventory of vehicles by department could be provided. With regard to Emergency Medical Training, the Chief explained the Memorandum of Understanding provided $100 for each lifeguard who completes that training, which is done through the State and takes approximately three hundred twenty hours. Councilman Hunt moved that the budget presentation be modified for full description of funds, equipment, inventory, and history for each line item. Councilman Laszlo seconded the motion. Councilmember Forsythe agreed that to some extent she had been unable to determine exact expenditures when needed, that possibly there could be more detail, but not necessarily to the degree set forth by the motion. I Councilmember Hastings arrived at 3:00 p.m. Staff explained that the Lifeguard Maintenance Account includes four vehicles, two ATV's, and a boat, the departmental budget amount to cover maintenance and repair that can not be performed by City personnel, and explained that records of all City maintenance is kept by the Public Works Department. The City Manager noted that a number of years past the Council had eliminated the Vehicle Depreciation Fund, and if there were adequate monies he would prefer to reestablish that Fund rather than continue with the present lease/purchase method. The Chief explained that Account 47 covers Orange County radio services, that the POlice, Lifeguard, Public Works, and Fire Departments have emergency radios with FCC designation, which requires that they be maintained by an organization with an FCC license. The city Manager noted that the City has no reserve radios, and if one does not work there is need to obtain a compatible radio, that Orange County communications 6-6-90 provides such equipment as well as service, and until a few years ago at no cost, which is no longer the case. Councilman Hunt suggested that action be taken on the motion on the floor, and if that motion were not acceptable, that the language be modified to possibly provide for a full description of line items and explanation of all elements I involved in the budget dollar amounts. Discussion continued. It was noted that if the purchase of vehicles is requested they are contained within the Capital Purchase Account. Councilmember Hastings suggested that possible more information could be provided, yet it would not necessarily have to be in great detail. Vote on the original motion: AYES: NOES: Laszlo Forsythe, Hastings, Hunt, Wilson Motion Failed Councilman Laszlo moved that the budget include line item descriptions for all budget expenditures. Councilmember Hastings seconded the motion. In response to the motion, the City Manager described in detail the procedure that the staff would need to follow to accomplish the intent, specifically that the staff will need to create a cost accounting program and apply a cost figure to each item, and he used the Vehicle Maintenance Account as an example of what the process would entail. He offered to provide the Council with any detail desired, yet pointed out that there would be a cost involved. Councilman Laszlo, with consent of the second, withdrew the motion until a later time. In response to Council, Chief Dorsey stated the Lifeguard boat is housed in Long Beach near the Second Street bridge. As a result of the recent passage of the Charter Amendment regarding Council compensation, Councilman Hunt recommended that Account 10 of the City Council budget be increased by $8000 to cover a monthly compensation of $300, thus increasing the total of the account to $15,500. with regard to training and meeting expense, Councilman Hunt recommended there be some limit on city Council expenses, possibly $1500 per year per member, and that any expenditure over that receive Council action. Councilman Laszlo stated he would hesitate to place such a limit and he felt the Council stays within the budget amount. Discussion followed. The City Manager stated the City Council/city Manager workshop was meant to be deleted from the budget. I The city Manager departmental budget was reviewed, noted that Account 21 reflects the PERS credit, no change of staff or programs, a minimum increase in the cost of supplies and materials. It was explained that for those employees hired after 1986 there is a requirement to withhold for I unemployment insurance and medicare. It was pointed out that telephone costs are not prorated by department and are shown in Account 52, and although the new system has all of the necessary capabilities, an accounting for individual telephones was lost, therefore staff conducts a monthly audit of telephone use to insure there is no abuse. It was noted that the proposed Capital expenditure of the City Clerk's budget was for two replacement typewriters. Councilman Hunt stated he felt it important that state of the art equipment be maintained, and inquired if the 6-6-90 I budgeted amount for training was adequate. The City Manager responded that the Clerk's Department is short on staff, that the in-house training is good, yet he felt there is not adequate personnel with indepth outside training as a backup to the Clerk. The City Clerk advised that a personnel change will soon be taking place, that it is hoped the new employee will be able to take advantage of certain training that becomes available, and pointed out that the two part- time employees fulfill a wide variety of functions, yet at a cost saving to the city in the area of benefits. In reviewing the city Attorney's budget, the City Manager explained that the retainer for the city Attorney is $18;000, with $150,000 budgeted for various and sundry legal expenses. He pointed out the City Attorney is retained to advise the council, Planning commission and other commissions as needed, the City Manager, Personnel Officer, and other staff as deemed necessary, that the annual budget is usually between $200,000 to $225,000, and the hourly rate, depending upon the service required, is about $115, where legal services in other cities vary between $112 to $225. He noted that under the Liability and Workers Comp Accounts there are attorney fees for those specific matters. with regard to an in-house attorney, the City Manager explained they rarely have the depth of expertise, that outside attorney services are necessary, as well as clerical support, and that costs would be no less at best. He pointed out that the City's legal firm is recognized as one of the top firms in the state, various attorneys with specific expertise such as Mr. Watson with seventeen years history in Seal Beach, Mr. stepanicich with broad city and legislative experience, Mr. Barrow with land use and litigation experience, Mr. Rennett with real estate expertise, Ms. Tracy with employee relations and public employee labor law experience, and that a group of approximately thirty additional attorneys are available to the city with a wide range of expertise. With regard to the final disposition of claims submitted to the city, the city Manager stated the city Clerk maintains the record of all claims and litigation filed. The Clerk advised that once a potential litigation is filed, specific information relating to that matter is no longer public information as provided by law, that most often cases are closed at no expense to the city except for certain legal costs, and it is now common practice that if a case is settled by a court, part of the settlement is that there be no disclosure of the terms of the settlement. The Clerk noted that the city's liability attorney could provide the Council with a periodic confidential report regarding the status of claims, and that he would also be willing to meet with the council if that were desired. The city Manager ack.nowledged that the City receives a number of liability issue claims, yet the number that do not go past the filing or ever reach court is amazing, and of those that do go to court, a very high percentage are resolved in favor of the City. councilmember Hastings said she would like to have a periodic claims report. The city Manager explained the procedure for processing claims submitted to the city. with regard to legal costs relating to Mola, he stated there are certain litigation costs that the City may be able to recover from Mola, and in the case of the Wetlands suit the council had determined that the City'S legal counsel was to take a secondary position to Mola's attorney, therefore Mola assumed the bulk of those costs, also, should the project receive approval a hold harmless clause is provided where, if a suit results from the project, Mola would be responsible for the legal expenses. I I 6-6-90 Mr. Thomas reported the Finance Department budget is increased by three percent, the programs are unchanged, the majority of the budget being personnel costs, with Account 51 reflecting money for a computer business license program mandated by the state. He explained that Account 20 is the Deferred Comp Program, a savings plan for certain employees paid from the General Fund. The City Manager explained the I City's program is through ICMA Retirement Corporation. Councilman Laszlo asked if it is considered deferred compensation or salary. Councilmember Hastings asked if the deferred comp was being taken into consideration with regard to negotiations for salary increases. The staff explained that it is considered deferred compensation, that it is part of the total compensation, the monies are invested by ICMA, and the employees realize the interest earned. In response to Council, Mr. Thomas stated he felt the equipment in the Finance Department is comparable to or better than that of most cities, noting that three years ago $40,000 was spent on a small computer network, yet it would have been preferred to have had more money to spend on more sophisticated software. He did point out that funding for the asset appraisal system had been included in the 48 Account, the cost to be divided between the General Fund, Sewer Fund and Water Fund. Councilman Laszlo inquired about the personnel costs in the Non-Departmental budget, Account 19. The city Manager explained those monies are primarily for personnel costs associated with the various special events. Staff indicated that the fireworks costs were included under special departmental. Councilmember Hastings inquired about cable expenditures. The city Manager reported the City receives I $75,000 from the franchise and in turn it has been policy to transfer that amount to the Cable Foundation who then allocates those monies, the City realizing the benefit of cablecasts of the Council and Planning Commission meetings, the Christmas parade, and other community events. Staff noted the current policy of the Council is to recover City costs for special events, with certain exceptions, also that the equipment rental in this account is for the copier, the Kroy, FAX machine, etc. ,Mr. Thomas noted the TRAN appears in the revenue detail. It was the consensus of the Council to declare a recess at 4:10 p.m. The Council reconvened at 4:37 p.m. with Mayor Wilson calling the meeting to order. Captain Maiten commenced review of the Police Department budget, reporting personnel consists of forty-one sworn and nineteen civilian employees, that the 1990/91 budget represents a six percent increase over 1989/90 estimated costs, or $244,000, the primary reason being incremental salary increases, percentage merit raises, a $139,000 increase of PERS, also the Orange County levy of $1.50 each for court construction and new jail construction per park.ing citation, or $66,000. He suggested that of the $244,000 total increase, if the aforementioned factors were deducted I there remains a $29,000 increase which is divided between personnel and operating expenses that are reflective of routine cost of living increases. With regard to the jail lease, the Captain advised that approximately six months ago agreement was reached between the Department of Corrections and the City of Anaheim for housing short term prisoners which left the cities of La Habra, Seal Beach, and south Gate out of the program. The city Manager said there has been some research of becoming a weekend jail if that could be accomplished at minimum expense. The captain stated a concern with that program is liability if there were not ", 6-6-90 I full time jailers. It was noted that Seal Beach would have realized approximately $140,000 annually through the jail lease program with staffing paid by the state, however Anaheim required no additional personnel. with regard a question of the number of personnel, Chief stearns explained that several months past the Council had authorized two persons over the full compliment of forty-one, that one person was retiring, and one person was designated to the Narcotics Suppression Program up to June 30, 1990. Given the current full staff, the Chief requested authorization to have one person over the forty-one, to be covered by monies other than budget funds. The Captain reported several years ago the Department had justified annual overtime costs of $250,000, with a goal to not exceed that amount with the exception of the normal salary adjustments. He reported the Department has implemented an overtime tracking program by officer, by function, by compensation, and anyone having sixteen hours per month is tagged and reviewed on an individual basis, therefore with the Council's indulgence, there should be a clear analysis of overtime by next year. Councilman Laszlo stated he would like to have a detail of the Police Department vehicles in the budget. Department staff reported it is customary to rotate the marked cars every four years, that vehicles are replaced however none have been added, and offered an inventory of all Police Department stock. With regard to reference to overtime costs and the court liaison, the Chief explained that prior to departments having court liaison positions, an officer was required to appear at court in response to subpenas, at full pay and often overtime, frequently for a full day, that the liaison position allows the officers to remain on duty, that employee also files the city's cases with the District Attorney's office, which was also once done by sworn personnel. Captain Maiten noted that the city of Seal Beach is reimbursed $9000 per year by the city of Los Alamitos as the result of sharing the services of the court liaison officer. The Captain again stated he felt the forthcoming overtime reports will be helpful, and noted initial data shows a breakdown of 27 percent court time, 10.2 percent callout of investigators, detectives, and surveillance, 6.4 percent sick leave or bereavement coverage, 5.7 percent vacation coverage, 5.29 percent beach and Main Street patrol, 5.14 percent range certification, 4.8 percent injury on duty coverage, 4.7 percent special team training, etc. The Captain explained that neither the Chief or the Captains receive overtime, opposed to Sergeants, Lieutenants, and officers. The Finance Director noted that additional compensation of the Chief and Captains is five percent after ten years, five percent after twenty years, and confirmed that the base salary of the Chief is $74,000. Councilman Laszlo requested the total compensation for the Chief, Captains, and Lieutenants, to include deferred comp, education pay, overtime, uniform pay, etc. The City Manager explained that there are costs associated with the SWAT team, records division, communications, etc. however have not been broken down by specific item, which could be provided if the Council desired. Councilman Laszlo requested that information, as well as a deployment schedule showing the number of cars on the street during day and night hours, an organizational chart, and a like breakdown for the Public Works Department. Councilman Hunt spoke of the past decision to add police officers and the goal to reduce overtime, which to some degree he felt has been accomplished. He offered that the basement of the Police building is an asset and there should be some means to create a monetary return from the use of that space, also suggested that when there are needs of the Department that are felt to improve efficiency and/or keep equipment up to I I 6-6-90 date, those requests should be presented to the Council for consideration without hesitation. staff advised that the city receives no reimbursement for crossing guards, that some cities provide the service, some do not, and likewise for school districts, that at the time the Navy housing was constructed various alternatives were researched however the Council chose to provide that service as protection for the children. It was noted that in a number of cases there are I mutual benefits and cooperation that often offset costs. The city Manager reported also that the Recreation Director is working with the Navy to possibly develop a child care facility on the Base. The Public Works Director pointed out an error in the Beach Parking Account, reference to the Superintendent should be motor sweeper operator. Staff explained on occasion there is need for court appearances associated with the beach lots for towing or whatever, therefore the budget reflects possible costs. Councilmember Forsythe noted the suggestion of the Retail Committee that the lots be converted to meters. The City Manager explained that if the Air Quality Management Plan is implemented, the City will most likely be mandated to require some type of incentive for people to utilize transit facilities or car pool, one suggestion being that a fee be required for all parking areas, whether they be private or public, on-street or off, one fee for single occupancy vehicles, another for multiple occupancy, another issue being activities that attract more than ten thousand people on a given day, which could include the beach. He stated once the guidelines under that Plan are known, which at this time are not felt to be reasonable, a report will be forthcoming to the Council which may include a proposal for meters and residential permits under a parking program. I Councilmember Hastings, said District One will not accept parking meters, that they were used previously and did not work. councilman Hunt asked if the goal of the past year to increase the use of the beach lots and revenues had been achieved. The City Manager reported that seasonal passes have been offered to the general public and merchants for their employees, the employees appear to continue to park on the streets, yet the lots are attracting a substantial number of cars on a regular basis, with good weekend use, however revenues are anticipated to be $20,000 less than projected, and usage is felt to be more directly related to the weather rather than the rates. He noted there are a number of off-shore oil employees that utilize the lots on a daily basis, that use covered by negotiated agreement with an annual rate increase, the per space cost of which will be reviewed at such time as the agreements are due to expire. Councilmember Hastings referred to in-lieu parking, inquired as to the cost per space, the number that have been granted in each case, and if the fees are being collected. Staff responded that the cost is $100 per space, that there may be some delinquency of payment, and offered that a report be provided the Council. Council recommended that payment of the in-lieu fees be enforced and possibly a penalty imposed. Staff advised that residential parking permits will be I placed on the Council agenda for consideration, and that Councilmember Hastings had requested a cost and revenue breakdown of that program. Councilman Hunt requested that any thoughts toward increasing beach parking lot utilization, which reduces street parking and generates additional revenues, should be brought forward for discussion. The city Manager said offering winter overnight recreational vehicle parking has been given some thought and there has been interest shown in such a program at the First Street lot, however has not been recommended since it is felt that would not be acceptable to the community. 6-6-90/6-11-90 Councilmember Hastings suggested that an attendant be hired to operate the beach lots during early hours to capture the surfer traffic at an hourly rate, which would result in increased revenue through turnover. The City Manager offered to research the suggestion if the Council so desired. I After discussion, the Council indicated agreement to conduct another budget workshop on TUesday, June 12th, at 11:00 a.m. or a time to be determined at the June 11th regular meeting. ADJOURNMENT It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting until Monday, June 11th at 6:00 p.m. to meet in Closed Session. It was the order of the Chair, with consent of the Council, to adjourn at 5:52 p.m. C C of the Approved: ~r:L...) 7{. W~~ Mayor I , Attest: Seal Beach, California June 11, 1990 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 6:03 p.m. with Mayor Wilson calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL ~lI.T.T. Present: Mayor Wilson Councilmembers Forsythe, Hastings, Hunt, Laszlo Absent: None I Also present: Mr. Nelson, city Manager Mr. stepanicich, City Attorney Mr. Barrow, Assistant city Attorney Mr. Whittenberg, Director of Development Services Mr. Archibold, Assistant to the city Manager Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk CLOSED SESSION The City Attorney announced the Council would meet in Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) and (b) to discuss pending litigation, Wetlands Restoration Society versus City of Seal Beach, and labor relations. It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn to Closed Session at 6:05 p.m. The Council reconvened at 7:38 p.m.