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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1989-06-12 6-5-89 / 6-12-89 that a number of large businesses pay only $lOO annually for a business license while taxes are used to pay for protective services and capital improvements, and stated he felt businesses should pay their fair share. The City Manager responded that a report will be forthcoming regarding business licenses. Councilman Hunt stated it may be perceived that some businesses pay too little and there I could possibly be a means for adjustment. Councilmember Risner added that although there could be further discussion, she noted that the fees had recently been doubled, a CPI adjustment applied, and suggested that business license fees should be reasonable. Councilman Laszlo stated his opinion that a miniumum license fee for a Main Street business should be $500, with larger businesses in the community charged up to $1000. With regard to the Planning Commission consideration of the alternative plans for the Hellman property, the City Manager explained that even though it is not a noticed public hearing, the Commission does have the ability to allow public testimony. Mayor Grgas reported that the initial financial analysis of alternative "C.l" was available from the consultant at the May 15th meeting, and that the data he had personally used to determine if the plan was viable was proprietary. There being no further comments, Mayor Grgas declared Oral Communications closed. ADJOURNMENT It was the order of the Chair, with consent of the Council, to adjourn the meeting to Monday, June 12th at 6:00 p.m. to conduct a budget workshop. The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. I of the APproved:J(~ J- ~ Mayor Seal Beach, California June 12, 1989 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular I adjourned session at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Grgas calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Grgas Councilmembers Hunt, Laszlo, Risner, Wilson Absent: None 6-l2-89 I Also present: Mr. Nelson, City Manager Mr. Thomas, Finance Director Mr. Jue, Director of Public Works/ City Engineer Chief Stearns, Police Department Capt. Maiten, Police Department Capt. Garrett, Police Department Mr. Osteen, Recreation Director Chief Dorsey, Lifeguard Department Mr. Archibold, Assistant to the City Manager Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk WAIVER OF FULL READING Wilson moved, second by Risner, 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: Grgas, Hunt, Laszlo, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried I CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING - PROPOSED 1989/90 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET Mayor Grgas declared budget workshop and continued public hearing open. The City Manager noted that various clerical corrections had been made to the budget and that responses to comments received from the Council had been prepared, that the budget reflects expenditures of $15,273,310, a 2.9 percent increase, however does not include annual salary increases estimated to be $l54,730 at five percent. He reported that in conjunction with the 1988/89 budget the City entered "into agreement with the Rossmoor Shopping Center and the Bixby Company to fund the Leisure World/Rossmoor Center bus on a percentage basis of forty City, forty Rossmoor Center, and twenty Bixby, and that a request has been received from Ryder Transportation Company for a fifty-five percent increase, from $144 to $247 per day, thus forty percent of the City's portion yet unfunded. He added that the increase was based upon labor, insurance and administrative costs, that bids from other companies had been solicited last year, Ryder having been the lowest, and noted that Ryder operates a municipal type of bus where others operate a charter type, and that the current schedule is six days a week with six trips per day. Council suggested consideration be given to reduction of days and number of trips. It was noted that placing the utility users tax on cable and adjustment of fees were yet to be discussed, and that members of the business community were present in response to a suggestion to substantially increase business license fees. With regard to initiating a monthly billing for the water utility, the Finance Director advised that with the exception of Leisure World that is billed monthly, billings are made on a bi-monthly basis, and although some improvement to cash flow might be realized, the associated expenses would double, and he recommended that the bi-monthly system be maintained. In response to questions of the Council, the staff explained that a $285,000 saving or credit is realized for this budget year of the PERS miscellaneous contribution due to the experience record of claims versus premiums, a like reduction of expenses for the Water, Sewer, and Tideland Beach funds of $75,000, with an estimated $250,000 credit remaining to be applied in the next fiscal year. Staff noted that the construction of two lifeguard towers are proposed at an estimated cost of $5,000 each, the construction done on a I 6-l2-89 contract basis by a licensed contractor, also that the $20,000 allocation for roof repair would be used for those City buildings considered to be in greatest need. With regard to City maintenance and improvement of City facilities, the City Manager noted that it would be possible to bond for major capital repairs and improvements to such facilities as the administration building and community I centers, provide handicapped access pursuant to State law, etc., with the option of Council enactment or placing such question before the voters. Mayor Grgas suggested that staff consider holding a study session with regard to issuance of bonds for such capital improvements in the future. The staff explained that the police radio system, proposed for funding over the next five years, will provide more channels, ability to communicate with Public Works, a trunked system with each transmitter on a different frequency for security purposes, and if the City were not a participant in the system there would be a loss of countywide communications, loss of emergency frequencies, etc., the system anticipated to be operational by 1995. Mayor Grgas suggested that staff investigate if Redevelopment funds could be used to purchase the communications system, or possibly create a repayable Agency loan to the City for same. With regard to the unfunded repair of the Lifeguard Headquarters wall, staff described its location and deteriorated condition, confirmed that the wall was identified as a potential for liability, and verified:that this repair would qualify for inclusion under a bond issue. The Council indicated desire to consider repair of the lifeguard wall as a priority project if funding becomes available, also their approval of a request for support from the Casa Youth Shelter in the amount of I $3000, and rejected a request from the Los Alamitos School District for a contribution of a portion of $100,000 for school crossing guards. It was noted that Seal Beach currently provides and pays for crossing guards in the City. The City Manager noted that funds had been included in the budget for the 1989 joint fireworks display at the Los Alamitos Reserve Center however no monies had been allocated for the next year, and confirmed that the Rossmoor Community Service District is participating in the program this year. The Police Chief advised there have been a reduction of the number of incidents and fires since the fireworks program, an event that appeared to be well attended. Council noted that Westminster may be invited to participate in future programs, also suggesting that a minimum fee could be charged for parking to defray some costs. It appeared to be the consensus of the Council to postpone participation in the funding of a 1990 fireworks program, also to continue this public hearing until the regular meeting of July 19th. Staff confirmed that Quimby Act monies from the development approved for property located at First Street and Marina Drive could be used to improve the roof of the Marina Community Center, that legislation is proposed that may make funding available for such refurbishment projects however may be tied to State approved Housing Elements. The City Manager stated that with few exceptions the unbudgeted items I could be included under a bond issue. Staff also stated they were not certain that Gann would be affected if the proceeds of such bond issue were set aside for specific public improvement purposes. There was brief discussion regarding what was felt should be included under a bond, maintenance and improvements to public facilities, street improvements and reconstruction, sidewalks, etc. In response to Council, the Public Works Director explained that the unfunded Ocean Avenue heater remix would involve raking and heating the street asphalt, replacing it on the street, then capping it with a remix, that the amount 6-12-89 I proposed for the beach rake was to cover costs of on-going repair, and with regard to a recent complaint and repair in the Rossmoor Center alley near Bradbury, he reported the water company had been contacted, the meter had been paved over, and at some time in the future the water company will bring the meter up to grade. With regard to replastering of McGaugh pool, the Recreation Director reported the lining of the small pool with a material in lieu of plastering had been unsuccessful, and that staff is investigating alternative methods to repair the pool walls given the uncertainty of the length of time the City will have use of that facility. It was noted the asset appraisal is again an unfunded item. I Mr. John Baker, resident and downtown businessman, acknowledged his objection to expenditure of funds for a fireworks display in Los Alamitos given the needs of the community, noting specifically the lack of improvements to the 300 block of Main Street, failure of the Business Improvement Area that was intended to promote the community, the recent doubling of business licenses, and more recently a suggestion for another sizeable increase. He expressed his objection to the suggested increase, noted the number of local businesses that generate little or no tax revenue or do not pay a business license fee, also the tenuous climate of most Main Street businesses, and voiced support for promotion of the City, possibly through revenues generated by the Transient Occupancy Tax, to bring visitors into the community which in turn would increase sales tax. Mr. Baker pointed out specifically the recent failure to stripe the 300 block of Main Street as the remainder of the street had, and past promise of decorative lighting and benches for the street, and stated the need for a City and Main Street identification sign possibly located in the vicinity of Pacific Coast Highway at Main. He added that consideration could be given to having a local fireworks display in the vicinity of the downtown area, possibly on the Naval Weapons Station, that CGuld be promoted and supported by local organizations in cooperation with the City. Ms. Loderhouse, Bay Theatre, stated any identification sign should be of quality, possibly brick or wood materials. Mr. Baker confirmed that a City promotional effort was made in recent years by local business persons in the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Association through an ad ~n the Long Beach Convention and Visitors brochure, maps and brochures distributed through hotels, etc. With regard to a minimum $500 business license fee, Mr. Baker stated he felt half of the existing businesses would need to leave Main Street. Councilman Laszlo stated his point that the citizens rather than the business community are paying the cost of safety and services provided to the business community. Councilman Hunt acknowledged the comments to improve the climate of the local business community, and recommended that any suggestions be presented to the Retail Sales Committee for eventual presentation to the Council. Mr. Baker expressed support for the newly formed Retail Committee which he said he hoped would be a beginning of the promotion of this community. With unanimous consent of the Council, Mayor Grgas declared a recess at 7:33 p.m. The Council reconvened at 7:46 p.m. with Mayor Grgas calling the meeting to order. With regard to Zoeter School lease revenues, staff verified that $180,000 is reflected in the Redevelopment Agency fund, also explaining that on-site construction had been delayed as the result of an unacceptable asbestos certificate, and that having been resolved, construction should resume. I 6-12-89 Discussion continued with staff explaining the balances of certain funds, inter-fund transfers, pointing out the decline of sales tax, and the Utility Users Tax reflecting a conservative, partial year revenue from the newly enacted tax on interstate and international telephone use. Staff also explained that the increase of bail and saving of administrative processing costs have resulted in increased estimate of revenue from fines and forfeitures, and that to I date consideration has not been given to issuance of a 1989 TRAN due to decreasing interest rates. Staff noted that the Non-Departmental expenditure account now reflects workers' compensation and liability insurance expense, and described the capital projects proposed for 1989/90, account 48, amended to reflect a $15,000 rather than $5,000 expenditure to repair the laminated beam at the Mary Wilson Library, and $20,000 rather than $100,000 for slurry seal of College Park East and downtown streets, for a total of $736,000. With regard to Police personnel, the City Manager noted that last year fifty-eight positions were budgeted, however authorization was given to fill sixty positions with the funds available, the force is currently down four positions, the 1989/90 budget reflecting a request for one additional permanent position, and as a point of information, he reported there is a projection that recruitment for police officers will be a major problem in the next decade as the result of a declining pool of persons in the twenty to thirty age group as well as the cost of living in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Council commenced review of the individual departmental budgets with the staff responding to various questions relating thereto. Mayor Grgas requested that the staff provide a report to Council on the Neighborhood Watch I Program, that persons be solicited to volunteer as block captains, suggesting that the members of the Council could identify persons from their areas that may be interested, and reported experiences in another community where the participation of persons involved in the Program were invaluable during two instances of emergency other than crime related situations. Councilmember Wilson noted that the building captains assume responsibilities in Leisure World in the case of emergency. Councilman Laszlo requested a breakdown of expenditures in the Contracted Professional Services Account of the Police Department. The City Manager noted the Fire Services budget is increased by approximately 6.7 percent. The Finance Director explained that beach parking lot revenue is reflected under the General Fund and Tideland Beach, $270,000 and $123,000 respectively, the budget estimating a slight gain over the current year. In response to Council, the City Manager explained that expenditures relating to a specific project, such as the Mola development, are paid from a special trust account established with the developer's monies, and that one time permit fees go to the General Fund, also permits and fees that may be forthcoming from that specific project have not been included in the budget since the time frame for commencing the project is unknown. The City Engineer I reported in an effort to resolve the problem of odors emitting from the sewer line in the Cove area, a chemical is proposed to be used to eliminate the odor, also that there is discussion with the Navy to tie into one of their mains that would run directly to the pump station on Electric Avenue. The City Manager noted refuse collection had been separated out of the Sanitation and Street Cleaning Account and placed in a separate account. The City Engineer explained that reconstruction of Heather Street has been included in the current street improvement project therefore the budget reduced to reflect only the slurry seal project, 6-12-89 I also that the lease/purchase payments for the street sweeper will be concluded in 1991. The City Manager advised that an increase of trash collection fees to reflect the County gate. fee increase will be forthcoming to the Council for action, and was not reflected in the budget figure. It was the consensus of the Council to increase the Building Maintenance Account by $10,000 for repair of the Lifeguard Building wall. I Councilmember Risner inquired about replacment of the carpeting at the Police Department. The City Manager suggested that if the lease with the State for use of the jail facility is approved, he would recommend use of those monies for capital projects and then some improvements to the Police Department. Under the Public Transportation Account, the City Manager again made reference to the increased cost for the Leisure World/Rossmoor bus service provided by Ryder Transportation, stated that while the Center is awaiting consideration of this matter by the City, they have also contacted and solicited participation by the Coultrup Group, their response unknown at this time. He stated he would negotiate for a one day reduction of this service, given the understanding that the City desires to continue the service however the rate of increase is too great. With regard to the Community Redevelopment budget, the City Manager reported 18.5 percent of administrative costs are charged to the Agency, computed by the last year overhead on general government as compared to the total budget. He also noted that there is an obligation at some time in the near future to provide the twenty percent housing set-aside for the Riverfront and Surfside project areas, those monies allowed to be used for a number of programs as well as a leverage to seek other funding. Members of the Council suggested that staff look into charging a greater percentage of administrative costs to the Agency. Members of the Council expressed their views regarding the application of the Utility Users Tax to cable television, and noted it may be desirable to consider this matter in the future as a possible revenue source. Risner moved, second by Wilson, to not apply the utility Users Tax to cable television. AYES: NOES: Grgas, Hunt, Laszlo, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried Risner moved, second by Hunt, to approve an increase of the fee for use of the Community Centers for weddings and wedding receptions to $500 per six hours and increase the fee for commercial or profit making activities to $85 per hour. The Recreation Director confirmed that the per hour charge would not apply to local service organizations. I AYES: NOES: Grgas, Hunt, Laszlo, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried With regard to the recommendation to increase the cost of annual parking permits from $6 to $20 per resident permit and from $7 to $25 for guest permits, the City Manager stated the related costs to operate the parking permit program is much greater than the recommended charge, also consideration could be given to eliminating the program, in turn eliminating all related costs, and allowing visitors to the City the same rights to a parking space as the 6-12-89 residents. Councilmember Wilson moved to adjust the charge to $l2 for resident permits and $18 for non-residents. There was no second to the motion. Risner moved, second by Laszlo, to increase the parking permit fee to $10 for residents and $12 for guests. AYES: NOES: Grgas, Hunt, Laszlo, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried I Risner moved, second by Hunt, to establish a fee of $5 for a Transportation Permit and $20 for an annual Transportation Permit, which allows oversized vehicles/loads to move through City streets under certain conditions. AYES: NOES: Grgas, Hunt, Laszlo, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried Council discussed the recommendation that a fee be applied to activity request applications covering review and processing at a rate of $20 for a minor event and $30 for a major event, with a suggestion made that either no charge or a minimum charge be made to community based organizations, possibly applied on the same basis as the recreation schedule for use of public facilities. Councilman Hunt moved to approve a $20 processing fee for minor events, $30 for major events, $5 for community events with the staff allowed to waive such fee for charitable events. There was no second to the motion, however Council indicated agreement to direct staff to apply the processing fees in the same manner as set forth in the Recreation schedule. Risner moved, second by Grgas, to approve a $400 per day permit fee for commercial filming. It was clarified that a I fee of $50 per day would continue to apply to still phototography, that the City follows State definition of filming which includes video and any motion picture photography, and that it would not apply to local cable producers unless the filming included closing of streets, etc. AYES: NOES: Grgas, Hunt, Laszlo, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried ORAL COMMUNICATIONS and/or COUNCIL COMMENTS In response to Councilmember Wilson, the City Manager stated the 20 Year Master Plan for Transportation would be included on the June 19th Council agenda. Mayor Grgas noted a recent editorial comment with regard to changing City Council meeting dates to accommodate attendance at the School Board meetings, and stated he would have no objection to reverting back to second and fourth Monday meetings. The City Manager offered to prepare an ordinance for Council consideration with an August effective date for such change. There being no further comments, Mayor Grgas declared Oral Communications closed. ADJOURNMENT I It was the order of the Chair, with consent of the Council, to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. 6-l2-89 / 6-19-89 of the I Approved: Mayor Atte,t, 9~.J2J.( C1t C erk a 7 Seal Beach, California June 19, 1989 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular session at 7:40 p.m. with Mayor Grgas calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Grgas Councilmembers Hunt, Laszlo, Wilson, Risner I' Absent: None Also present: Mr. Nelson, City Manager Mr. Stepanicich, City Attorney Mr. Thomas, Finance Director Capt. Maiten, Police Department Capt. Garrett, Police Department Chief Dorsey, Lifeguard Department Mr. Knight, former Director of Development Services Ms. Massa-Lavitt, Interim Director of Development Services Mr. Archibold, Assistant to the City Manager Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk WAIVER OF FULL READING Wilson moved, second by Risner, 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. I AYES: NOES: Grgas, Hunt, Laszlo, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried PROCLAMATION Mayor Grgas proclaimed June 9th through June 23rd as "Grad Night Weeks."