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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1986-06-19 6-17-86 / 6-19-86 the Council to utilize 1985/86 budgeted microfilming funds to purchase two Hewlett-Packard computers for the Department, therefore encumbering those funds. With regard to crime statistics, the Chief reported 1984/85 Part I crimes increased thirty-one percent during 1985/86 with a forty percent increase is projected for this year, that called-for services were up seventeen percent last year, this increased activity ultimately having an effect on the Department's overtime. ADJOURNMENT At 10:16 p.m. the Council, by unanimous consent, adjourned the meeting until Thursday, June 19th at 8:30 a.m. I Attest: Approved" I Seal Beach, California June 19, 1986 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 8:35 a.m. with Mayor Clift calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Clift Councilmembers Hunt, Risner, Wilson Absent: Councilmember Grgas Councilman Grgas arrived at the meeting at 8:41 a.m. Also present: Mr. Nelson, City Manager Mr. Joseph, Assistant City Manager Mr. Thomas, Finance Director Chief Picascia, Police Department Capt. Garrett, Police Department Capt. Stearns, Police Department Mr. Hemphill, Director of Public Works/ City Engineer Mr. Osteen, Recreation Director Chief Dorsey, Lifeguard Department Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk I 6-19-86 I BUDGET WORKSHOP The Council continued discussion of the Police Department budget, focusing primarily on the addition of another officer versus overtime costs, and enhancement of the Reserve Program. The Assistant City Manager again clarified that the overtime account includes other employee compensation such as hOliday pay and call-backs, suggesting it may be advisable to segregate those items in future budget documents. Councilman Grgas arrived at the meeting at 8:41 a.m. Chief picascia explained that if the trend of increased crime and called-for services continues, he would forecast that overtime will increase rather than decrease, that an additional officer, in time, may tend to equalize the overtime costs. The Chief noted that a Reserve Officer could serve as a second person in the patrol cars, however are not functional for a significant period of orientation, and in the past Reserves have served as a second person on Main Street and beach patrols with a sworn officer. The City Manager noted that if the Council is in support of adding a sworn officer contingent upon that position being funded from the overtime account, it was his understanding that the Chief has cautioned that that may not be feasible. The Chief clarified that although additional officers are needed, the equipment, as prioritized, is of prime importance to the departmental function overall. There was further discussion of crime statistics, departmental morale, the general ratio of sworn officers to population, and the number of vehicles on patrol per shift. Councilman Hunt stated he was not certain the overtime is a significant issue when the holiday time is removed and the hours divided among the number of officers. The Chief added that during the summer months with beach related problems, there would most likely be four officers working overtime on a daily basis for several weeks, and noted that during the summer, vacation and comp time days off are not allowed. The City Manager explained that there is no relation between the number of officers and crimes committed, that it also must be noted that officers performing administrative tasks can also be called on patrol when the need arises. With regard to the contract with Los Alamitos for use of the City's court liaison officer, the Chief advised that based upon the current workload he would recommend continuation of the contract on the present terms. I The Council, by consensus, agreed to place an additional police officer and enhancement of the Reserve Program on the list of items for further consideration. The City Manager noted that the equipment replacement requested by the Police Department and prioritized as items one through four, could be funded through the Property and Equipment Fund. Minor corrections to personnel calculations were made by Council. I Discussion continued regarding distribution of funds from the beach parking lots and pier facilities, Councilmember Risner expressing her feeling that the funds should be reflected in the Tidelands Beach Fund, the budget document reflecting all pier expenses from the General Fund without showing revenues therefrom. The Finance Director explained the manner in which beach and pier related revenues and expenditures are accounted for, the accounting method in compliance with the State tidelands lease. The Finance Director suggested that it may be helpful to again provide Council with an interfund transfer report. . 6-19-86 Fire Administration and Lifeguard Services budgets were discussed, no changes were made. The City Manager reported that the Friends of Seal Beach Animal Care have submitted a request for a $25,000 loan to complete the animal shelter facilities. He noted that the organization has raised $13,000 to date and have submitted a grant application which is not expected to be considered I until 1987. Mr. Nelson requested Council's input regarding the desired policy for handling such requests. The Council declared a recess at 10:07 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:18 a.m. with Mayor Clift calling the meeting to order. Discussion continued regarding the Community Services (Animal Control) budget, and the City Manager clarified that although there are some animal care faciltiy expenses in the budget, there is no agreement with the Animal Care group regarding their contribution to that facility at this time. With regard to the requested loan, Mr. Nelson noted that should the organizations fund raising activities continue at the present rate it would be feasible that a loan to the Animal Care Organization could be repaid during the fiscal year. No action was taken on the loan request. Councilman Grgas noted the contract professional services amount of $10,690 on the priority list and inquired if deletion of those funds from the budget meant that the General Plan update would be postponed for another year. The City Manager acknowledged that it would either be another year or within the funds that are available under contract services, noting that it is possible that the Hellman Specific Plan will not progress as rapidly as expected, and clarified that no fees anticipated from the Hellman development are included in this budget. Council briefly discussed the estimated fees for services under the Development Services Department. I Members of the Council expressed their feeling that the budget reflected underestimated revenueS1 the staff responded that the projections may be somewhat conservative. Going back to the Animal Control budget, Account 52, Councilmember Risner suggested that Explorer Scouts be used to provide door-to-door animal license canvassing, the City could in turn make a contribution to their Troop. The Chief acknowledged that the local Explorers could be asked to participate in this program. The City Manager suggested that if this type of canvass were done, the Scouts obtain animal license information only and not be involved in the collection of money. Mayor Clift noted the divided time of the Administrative Aide/Assistant between the Planning and Building functions of the Development Services Department, which will effect a degree of Code enforcement as well as business license I canvassing. The City Manager also noted the Intern position increased by approximately four hundred hours. Council commenced discussion of the Public Works Department budget. Staff ~eviewed the anti9ipated revenues contained in the Public Works budget, specifically SB 821 monies, Gas Tax (Foran), noting that only $20,000 Housing/Community Development monies are anticipated. Discussion again focused on funding for alley improvements, specifically the monies 6-19-86 I allocated from the Water and Sewer funds, with Councilmember Risner again requesting a report setting forth justification for percentage of use of those funds. Staff noted that a forty to fifty year life could be anticipated from reconstructed alleys, and that approximately half of the alleys have been reconstructed to date. Councilman Hunt agreed that water and sewer improvements should be funded from those specific accounts, however the paving should be funded from another source. Councilmember Wilson inquired if an assessment for alley improvements would be appropriate. The City Manager explained that some cities establish an assessment district if the property owners choose to have paved alleys, however other cities maintain alleys in the same manner as the streets. Mr. Hunt suggested a possible thirty percent assessment for paving they alleyways. It was pointed out that such assessment could be considerable for a single property owner, also that it would not be appropriate for alleys that have general usage, such as in the commercial area. Councilman Grgas indicated he could not support assessment for alley improvements, noting that property owners pay considerable property tax and stated he felt they should receive their fair share of improvements in return. Mr. Grgas also suggested that consideration be given to submitting a general obligation bond issue to the voters for future capital improvements. With regard to possible reduction of the cost of the project proposed for 1986/87, the City Manager reported the $150,000 is based upon an estimate of the specific project and the need to replace the water and sewer lines in those particular alleys, explaining that in order to reduce the project cost the alley priorities would have to be reevaluated. Mr. Nelson again explained the cost effectiveness of reconstructing an entire alleyway versus partial reconstruction with an overlay. At the request of Council, general obligation bonds and assessment districts were added to the list of items to receive further consideration. I The City Manager informed the Council that the potential developer of the State Lands site may approach the Redevelopment Agency members requesting that the Agency front the money to assist with off-site improvements such as water and sewer facilities, traffic signals, undergrounding, etc., noting that should this be considered, the City would in turn expect a high quality project on the site. I Councilman Grgas suggested that tree trimming be deferred for one year. The City Manager reported a minimum amount of $13,420 is being requested for trimming of City owned trees as needed where dangerous conditions exist, contract trimming being deferred. Mr. Nelson reported that the Southern California Edison Company has requested the City to remove the palm trees on Bolsa Avenue due to their size and interference with Edison's lines. Noting that undergrounding of certain utility lines in this location will be a condition of approval of the Hellman development and possibly the State Lands development, Mr. Nelson stated his intent to defer action on this matter for at least six months until more information is known regarding the time frame for those developments. Council discussed the Street Lighting budget, and it was suggested the Council take an assertive action to go on record in opposition to any proposed energy increase. Council recommended that the allocation for energy costs be reduced to an amount more reflective of actual costs during 1985/86, a potential $15,000 budget reduction. 6-19-86 After discussion it was the consensus of Council to consider $25,000 for either a major overhaul or first year lease/ purchase of a Vac-All Sweeper. with regard to refuse collection fees, the City Manager stated he will request the Finance Director to thoroughly review those fees to insure that the City is recovering the full cost of this service. Discussion continued regarding the Landscape Maintenance budget. Mayor Clift noted the necessity to lower the block wall at the Armed Forces Reserve Center Park to improve visibility of the area by police patrols, citing the safety of children using this Park as a prime concern. There was some discussion as to maintenance of the AFRC Park. with regard to anticipated reduction of landscape maintenance service, the Public Works Director noted the additional landscaped areas to be maintained such as Marina Park, First Street median, and the AFRC Park, without additional personnel, stating he felt a reasonable degree of maintenance will be possible within the proposed budget. The City Manager reported Mayor Clift has been pursuing a cooperative agreement with the Navy golf course to use their mowing equipment at the AFRC parksite. In response to a question posed by Mr. Grgas, the City Manager reported he had previously investigated leasing of rolling stock and had found it would not be cost effective for public agencies. The Finance Director added that the City had a lease program at one time and it had been determined that the purchase and in-house maintance proved to be more cost effective. It was clarified that the increase of Account 42, automotive maintenance and repair, is for the refurbishing of Police vehicles, that the City is p~esently awaiting the delivery of police vehicles that have been purchased under the prior budget. The City Manager pointed out that replacement of the Recreation vehicle is included on the priority list. It was the consensus of the Council to give further consideration to the replacement of the Recreation vehicle. Mr. Osteen clarified that the replacement would be a used mini-truck preferably under warranty. The City Manager stated the staff will be conducting a comparison study of private contract versus in-house for landscape and automotive maintenance prior to next budget year. ADJOURNMENT At 12:00 noon the Council, by the meeting until Sunday, an additional budget wor unanimous consent, adjourned 12:00 o'clock, for Approved Attest: I I I