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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1983-06-20 6-20-83 Seal Beach, California June 20, 1983 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 7:00 o'clock p.m. with Mayor Grgas calling the meeting I to order with the Salute to,the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Grgas Councilmembers Brownell, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay Absent: None Also present: Mr. Parker, City Manager Mr. Joseph, Assistant City Manager Mr. Johnson, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Chief Picascia, Police Department Mr. Thomas, Finance Director Mr. Osteen, Recreation Director Chief Dorsey, Lifeguard Department Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk WAIVER OF FULL READING Vanderstaay moved, second by Brownell, to waive the reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions and that consent to the waiver of I 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; Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried BUDGET WORKSHOP It was the consensus of the Council to consider Agenda Item liD" first, as requested by the City Manager. TRASH COLLECTION CHARGES Mr. Parker reported that he and the Finance Director had met with Mr. Briggeman pursuant to Council direction to discuss tonnage for Seal Beach and once versus twice a week trash collection. Mr. Parker reported that Mr. Briggeman proposed a $6.05 per month rate for once I a week pick-up for single family residential, $5.85 for multi-residential, and noted that commercial rates will remain as previously proposed. Councilmember Brownell estimated an annual saving of $96,500 to residents utilizing the trash collection service with once a week collection. Members of the Council expressed concern that residents of the community are not aware that the Council is considering a 6-20-83 reduction of the collection schedule. Councilmember Laszlo stated that residents of his district to whom he had spoken were in favor of continuing the twice weekly pick-up. Council discussed the feasibility of going to once a week service now and reverting back to twice a week in the future; the staff indicated that could pose I numerous problems and suggested remaining with the present schedule and reconsidering the once a week pick-up at a later time. It was suggested that news articles inform the residents that the Council is considering the once a week option. RESOLUTION NUMBER 3279 - RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRASH COLLECTION CHARGES Resolution Number 3279 was presented to Council entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA, INCREASING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL MONTHLY TRASH COLLECTION CHARGES." By unanimous consent, full Teading of Resolution Number 3279 was waived. Laszlo moved, second by Vanderstaay, to adopt Resolution Number 3279 as presented. NOES: None -Motion carried I AYES: Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay REFUSE DISPOSAL CONTRACT AMENDMENT Risner moved, second by Brownell, to authorize the City Manager to prepare an amendment to the Refuse Collection Contract in accordance with adoption of Resolution Number 3279 for the signature of the Mayor. AYES: Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion caTried ANIMAL CONTROL The City Manager referred to memorandums from the Assistant City Manager and the Police Chief relating to alternatives for providing animal control to the community, to contract with the County of Orange or eliminate one animal control officer for a saving of $26,000 annually, as means to reduce the anticipated $56,110 1983/84 budget I deficit for this activity. It was pointed out that contracting with the County for an equal level of service would not be cost effective, and to contract for only those services that fees collected would pay for would substantially lower the current level of service. It was 6-20-83 I further reported that the City of Los Alamitos may be interested in having the City of Seal Beach assume their animal control activities which are currently provided by Orange County. Such arrangement would allow Seal Beach to collect Los Alamitos license and citation fees and use those funds to pay for the service provided Los Alamitos. The Police Chief explained that Los Alamitos has requested a report from the County showing their fee and service level data. The Chief also stated that it is anticipated County fees will greatly increase in the near future and that it is uncertain what services will continue to be provided without charge. The Chief reported that contracting with a local veterinarian to provide certain services is being investigated, also recalled that funds raised by last years chili cook-off to build improved kennel facilities are still available. It was pointed out that the animal control officers occasionally assist with police services, such as filling in for dispatchers and taking certain reports. Council discussed current license fees and the Chief suggested it would also be reasonable to charge for other services provided, such as board and care of animals. Risner moved, second by Vanderstaay, to increase the annual license fee for dogs to $15.00, fifty percent of that amount for altered animals, and that the staff 'continue to explore providing animal control services to the City of Los Alamitos. The City Manager stated he would provide a report on board and care costs, and it was clarified that the annual license fee for cats would remain at $12.50 and $6.25. I I AYES: NOES: POLICE K-9 UNIT The Police Chief referred to his memorandum dated May 19th requesting a Police K-9 Unit and provided Council with a list of other agencies that have or are looking into K-9 units. In response to Council, Chief Picascia stated that an older police vehicle would be converted to accommodate the dog and verified that pay differential would be paid to the handler after the first year, probably in the range of five percent, that the dog would be with the handler at all times and stated Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vande~staay None Motion carried 6-20-83 that it will be necessary to provide facilities for the dog at the family residence. It was reported that the estimated cost to establish a K-9 Unit is $6575 which includes, the price of the dog" food, medical care, vehicle conversion, housing facilities, training of the handler and handling equipment. The cost in subsequent years was estimated at $2000 annually plus dif.ferential pay for the handler. The Chief stated that the dog would be approximately one year old when obtained and could provide up to six years of service to the 'community. 'The liability aspect was discussed and the Chief explained the modern training techniques for police dogs. Chief Picascia stated there will be extensive criteria in selecting 'the handler, suitability being the prime concern. Council requested that the distance between the residence of the handler and the city also be considered. The Chief clarified that the dog and handler will work ten hour shifts, five days per week inCluding weekends ,and will be on call 'at all times. Laszlo moved, second by Risner, to ' authorize establishing a K-9 Unit of the Police-Department. Mayor Grgas requested the Police Chief to report to Council at the end of one 'year setting forth the actual costs for manpower and the animal, and the activities of the K-9 Unit versus cost. AYES: Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried 'McGAUGH POOL REPAIR Recreation,Director Mr. Osteen, reviewed a breakdown of estimated costs to restore the McGaugh pool totalling $46,100 with an additional twenty percent contingency of $9220. Mr. Osteen reported that the School District Boards (Seal Beach and Los Alamitos) have agreed to pay $17,500 toward the repairs. Risner moved, second by Vanderstaay, to'approve the expenditure to restore the'McGaugh pool. The City Manager clarified that repair of the pool is contingent upon the establishment of the assessment district. AYES: Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay NOES: None' Motion carried SPORTS COORDINATOR POSITION The Recreation Director requested Council consideration of reinstating I I I 6-20-83 I the position of Sports Coordinator to a full time classification, the estimated cost of $7,000 to be covered by revenues generated through programs initiated by the Sports Coordinator, clarifying that if additional revenues are not generated the employment hours would be reduced accordingly. Council expressed concern that the revenues are not generated until after the hours have been charged. Mr. Osteen noted that a trust fund exists that would cover the time expended pending collection of the sports program fees. The City Manager pointed out that if the position is adjusted to full time and it were found that revenues were not sufficient to fund the position on that basfs and the working hours were reduced, the Sports Coordinator would have a legitimate grievance against the City. Mr. Parker suggested that the additional hours of employment be on a contract basis. The Sports Coordinator, present in the audience, agreed to the additional hours by contract. Risner moved, second by Brownell, to approve the additional employment hours of the Sports Coordinator on a contract basis, and that the budget be amended accordingly to reflect the revenue and expenditure of $7,000. Council requested that the revenues and expenditures of this expanded position be monitored by the City Manager and reported to Council. I AYES: NOES: SEAWALL FENCE Lifeguard Chief Dorsey presented a request for consideration by Council to remove and replace the three hundred foot seawall fence, the cost of which is estimated between $4,500 and $6,500. Discussion followed. Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay None Motion carried Risner moved, second by Brownell, to authorize an expenditure not to exceed $6,500 for the replacement of the seawall fence. I AYES: Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried PLANNING COMMISSION COMPENSATION The City Manager provided the Council with a survey of Planning Commission compensation in other Orange County cities, pointing out the Seal Beach Planning Commission as the lowest compensated. Mr. 6-20-83 Parker referred to the responsibilities and increased workload of the Commission and recommended adjustment of their compensation. Risner moved, second by Brownell, to authorize an increase'of the Planning Commission compensation to $30 per meeting not to exceed three meetings per month and that the budget be amended to reflect the increased expenditure of $2400. AYES: Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried GENERAL BUDGET DISCUSSION Councilmember Risner stated she would like to suggest some possible cost saving categories in the proposed budget, none of which would reduce services to the community. Mrs. Risner referred to travel and meeting expenses totalling $26,500 and memberships and dues of $13,610, and recommended reduction of those accounts for each department. The City Manager noted that $11,800 of the travel expense is allocated to Council and City Manager budgets alone, and pointed out the importance for staff members to attend certain functions in order to be informed and updated on technical and legal changes. Wi th regard to the PERS account the Assistant City Manager responded that the non- safety employees are unpooled. Councilmember Risner referred to cost savings from employee turnover and recommended a minimum of one percent be reduced from the salary expenditure figure. After discussion, Risner moved, second by Brownell, to approve a one percent salary differential, or $46,000. A member of the Council requested the Council be provided an update of this account in six months. AYES: Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried Liability insurance accounts were referred to with the Assistant City Manager explaining that $308,420 is a liability reserve fund and that account 1952 reflects insurance premiums which have decreased considerably in the past few years. Mr. Joseph stated the city has a stop loss of $25,000 per individual and $100,000 aggregate stop loss, noting the importance of retaining an adequate reserve to cover possible losses in any given year. Mrs. Risner suggested that the city consider the temporary borrowing possibilities through tax I I I 6-20-83 I anticipation notes. The Finance Director stated that the city did seek a second opinion relative to tax anticipation notes, the conclusion being the same as the first opinion, that it would not be worth pursuing, that the net gain to the city would be minimal. The City Manager suggested that the staff could pursue a third opinion. Council- member Risner asked that consideration be given to reducing the travel and membership accounts and suggested that the Council and staff meet in a workshop session to explore new revenue producing and cost cutting methods, such as review of the city's insurance program, lowering liability costs, energy management programs, and further, that employees be encouraged to submit cost saving ideas through an incentive program. Mayor Grgas stated he had requested preparation of an energy audit by staff. The City Manager reported that his office is also preparing a report setting forth previous actions by the city to increase revenues and reduce costs. It was the consensus of the Council that the City Manager resubmit the Oil Barrel and Transient Occupancy tax increase proposals to Council for reconsidera- tion. It was noted that the Transient Occupancy Tax could be approved with a postponed effective date. The School District/City co-hosted annual band review was discussed with the Council directing the City Manager to contact Superintendant McCully to determine if the school district wishes to continue and participate financially in the event. I ADJOURNMENT Brownell moved, second by Vanderstaay, to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. AYES: Brownell, Grgas, Laszlo, Risner, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried I Attest: Approved: