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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1985-05-30 5-28-85 / 5-30-85 and hearing with respect to the variance and the Coastal permit. Mr. Antos suggested staff contact the Coastal Commission to seek their opinion as to whether or not there is a requirement for notice to the public and official Council action dealing with public beach parking. The City Manager stated he did not find that necessary since the staff meets frequently with the Coastal Commission and if something is in error the City is informed, that I it is staff's understanding this matter has been closed by the Coastal Commission pursuant to recent conversations with Mr. Tims and Mr. Joseph of the Coastal staff. There were no other oral communications; Mayor Risner declared oral communications closed. CLOSED SESSION Mayor Risner reported the Closed Session had been cancelled. ADJOURNMENT Grgas moved, second by Wilson, to adjourn to Thursday, May 30th at 7:00 p.m. for a budget workshop. AYES: NOES: Brownell, Clift, Grgas, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m. and ex-off' ~o cierk of-the City Council Appr~ed'~~' M yor I Attest: Seal Beach, California May 30, 1985 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 7:08 p.m. with Mayor Risner calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL present: Mayor Risner Councilmembers Brownell, Clift, Wilson Absent: Grgas I Councilman Grgas arrived at 7:17 p.m. 5-30-85 I Also present: Mr. Parker, City Manager Mr. Joseph, Assistant City Manager Mr. Thomas, Finance Director Mr. Baucke, Director of Development Services Mr. Hemphill, Director of Public Works/ City Engineer Capt. Stearns, Police Department Sgt. Christensen, Police Department Mr. Malkemus, Administrative Aide Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk I 1985/86 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET - WORKSHOP The City Manager stated that the proposed 1985/86 budget - is basically a replica of the 1984/85 budget, and that the staff would highlight the changes during the review process. The Assistant City Manager reported no significant change in the projected revenues'with the exception of General Revenue Sharing and minor increases anticipated in property and sales taxes, explaining that only those payments remaining to be received from the 1984/85 Revenue Sharing allocation are included, none for 1985/86. Mr. Joseph pointed out that should Revenue Sharing be continued, approximately $100,000 could be anticipated, therefore the budget message sets forth items proposed for funding should those funds be forthcoming: I) replacement of four police vehicles; 2) replacement of one unmarked police vehicle; 3) replacement of engineering staff car; 4) replacement of City Hall carpeting; and 5) landscape median design at Seal Beach Boulevard/Rossmoor Center. Mr. Joseph clarified that should the Federal government continue revenue sharing for another year, the City's allocation is anticipated to be $152,000, a portion of that amount would be received in the City'S 85/86 fiscal year, the remainder in the 1986/87 fiscal year. Mr. Joseph reported that the budget reflects a 4.8 percent water rate increase covering the increase in maintenance and operation costs in the Water Department, and does not include capital purchases. In accordance with a request of Council, the City Manager stated a written report relating to the status of the Water Fund would be provided Council at such time as the water rates are considered. Councilman Grgas arrived at the meeting at 7:17 p.m. I The estimated fund balances were reviewed with Mr. Joseph pointing out that the June 30, 1986 estimated General Fund balance of $590,090 does not reflect personnel wage and salary increases, and confirmed that transfers from funds have been replaced. Mayor Risner expressed her concern that the balance of the Cash Basis Fund gives the impression that those monies are available for expenditure when in fact it is a reserve of the cable prepaid franchise fees, also expressing her concern that Group W may attempt to regain a portion of those monies. Staff stated the likelihood of Group W being awarded the difference between the 3 and 5 percent franchise fee is remote, also that the prepaid franchise fees are secured by City ordinance until the full amount of the franchise fees have been paid. Staff further clarified that monies loaned from the Cash Basis for expenditures such as the pier reconstruction and the revetment wall are receivables to be repaid, and does not change the Fund balance. Staff offered to include a column on the budget sheets to reflect the amounts budgeted in the previous year, as requested by the Mayor. Mr. Joseph concurred with the need to develop a surplus in the Water and Sewer plant and Equipment Funds for future capital expenditures. 5-30-85 The Assistant City Manager commenced review of the individual departmental budgets. Mr. Joseph stated most departmental budgets are virtually unchanged from 1984/85, therefore he would point out any item of significance. He reported that inquiry has been made as to the City's interest in joining the Contract Cities Association, the cost of which is $400, and pointing out that the City may gain valuable information regarding contract services with a potential I for cost savings to the City. He reported that the City currently contacts for several services, fire, tree trimming, janitorial, plan checking, refuse collection, etc. Discussion continued. Mayor Risner voiced her objection to the membership; councilmember Wilson suggested that the membership be on a trial basis for the first few years; and the Council, by consensus of four, agreed to the Contract Cities Association memberShip, to be included in the Mayor and Council budget. Mayor Risner questioned the membership in the National League of Cities; staff confirmed this membership was included and approved in the previous fiscal year budget. At the request of Council, the City Manager stated he would provide the Council a breakdown of memberships and dues. With regard to Account 51, Contract Professional Services, Mr. Parker stated the requested three year breakdown of consultant services would be forthcoming to the Council. Staff reported Account 44 in the City Clerk budget was for lease rental payments on a microfilm reader printer; and the City Clerk reported that the cost of the 1985 Special Municipal Election was nearly $26,000. Mr. Joseph noted that the $18,000 figure under City Attorney personal expense is the retainer, that in reality the entire amount could be placed in the 51 Account, and recalled that the amount budgeted for the City Attorney in 1984/85 was $113,000. The Assistant City Manager reported that the most significant I change in the Finance Department budget was $29,000 for a computer system, including a work station for the City Manager and City Clerk, and with the potential for expansion to thirteen work stations. Discussion continued regarding accrual versus cash basis accounting systems. Councilman Grgas suggested that when the system is in place, current and projected financial summary reports would be helpful to the Council. It was clarified that the $5100 budgeted for maintenance and repair of Finance equipment was included to cover any costs incurred pending installation of the computer system, noting that the cost of a service agreement for the computer is included in the $29,000. With regard to the Community Promotion budget, the City Manager reported there are approximately ten co-sponsored community events annually that requires personnel services, and requested allocation of an amount, possibly $10,000 in an "II Account, to which salaries and overtime can be charged for such activities, rather than to the regular overtime budgets. Mr. Parker offered to provide the Council with a breakdown of the events referred to and the estimated personal expense. Mr. Joseph noted that on page 34 of the budget, the amount of $11,100 should reflect Account 24, Group Medical, which is the cost of medical insurance for retired police officers. with regard to community activities, the Mayor referred I to the beach volleyball tournament, reported receiving several complaints relating to that activity, and inquired as to the opinion of the Council and staff to host a second tournament. The City Manager stated that sponsorship of this pro-athletic tournament calls for the inflatable beer bottle advertising, and if not allowed the sponsor will relocate the event. Mr. Parker stated the administrative staff would like to co-sponsor the tournament at least one more time. Councilman Grgas reported he had not received 5-30-85 I very little community input regarding the tournament, also that he had not attended, noting that this was one of the few times beer drinking has been sanctioned on the beach, and inquired if the City realized any revenue from the tournament. The City Manager acknowledged that the drinking was allowed within a roped area, as has been allowed for several other community activities, that no direct financial gain was realized, however the merchants set up booths and there was a retail spill-over. Councilman Grgas asked that this matter be held over for further consideration. I As a matter of clarification, staff noted city payment of group medical for retired police as a negotiated item two years past, and limited to current, not new, personnel. The Assistant City Manager reported no substantial change in the police budget, stating however that it reflects some changes due to reassignment from one division to another and the elimination of one lieutenant position, with the largest capital outlay item being two motorcycles in the police Patrol Division. Mr. Joseph and representatives of the police Department responded to questions relating to the police budget: I) $2000 included in Account 55 for psychiatric counseling was a negotiated item two years ago, whereby the City pays the membership on behalf of the police Association for their members to use the counseling service; 2) that funds for video tapes included in Account 82, are for monthly tapes prepared by the Orange County District Attorney's office dealing with current court decisions and how to interpret them; 3) Account 34, education reimbursement, was a negotiated item which states the City will cooperate so that the pOlice officers can take advantage of training, covers travel expenses if out of the area, noting that many of the training sessions are approved police officer sessions through Golden West College; 4) that the overtime expense on page 39 covers a vice intelligence officer, and the secretary, if necessary, explaining this figure reflects program overtime rather than directly related to these personnel; 5) that the duties of the vice intelligence includes County narcotics, internal affairs investigations, background investigations, taking part in the Narcotics Task Force, etc.; and (6) that "other employee pay" is uniform pay. Councilman Grgas requested that funds be placed in the Public Safety budget to establish a children's fingerprinting program this year, conducted by the police Department and/or community organizations. Councilman Brownell added that he had been informed that there is a group in the Huntington Beach area that conducts such a program and offered to obtain the name of that organization. The Mayor expressed her desire to increase the number of police officers thereby allowing another patrol car in the field, and ultimately reducing the overtime costs. Mr. Joseph reported that an additional officer would be approximately $40,000, and that the Department is currently operating at a full complement of thirty-eight officers. The City Manager asked that the Department remain at thirty- _ eight sworn officers for the time being. Councilman Clift concurred with the Mayor, hpwever stated he would support the thirty-eight man force for this year and consideration of two additional officers next year. In response to Councilman Grgas' question regarding reserve officers, Capt. Stearns replied that the part of the reserve officer program is uncertain at this time pending the Garcia versus San Antonio decision, and explained that prospective reserves undergo a background investigation, are required to pass a reserve academy of two hundred hours, and that although they do not issue citations, they assist the I 5-30-85 Department in various functions, therefore allowing the sworn officers to continue their patrols, etc. The Assistant City Manager reported that the City has been contacted by the County of orange inquiring as to cities that may be interested in the County operating their jail facilities. He explained that the staff has indicated the City may be interested and that additional information regarding the County proposal will be forthcoming. Discussion continued regarding the type of prisoners to be housed, the capacity of the City's jail, potential for financial reimbursement from the County, and cost savings that could be derived by eliminating the need to transport prisoners to the County. The City Manager reported the continuing problem of turn- overs of the dispatcher position and the too frequent need to bring an officer out of the field to cover the telephones. He noted that there is no formula to guide the number of pOlice officers needed, acknowledging the Council's desire to have more officers and patrol cars in the field, however offered that resolution of the disability problem, the dispatcher problem, etc., may accomplish the Council's intent rather than hiring more personnel. Mayor Risner added that she receives numerous complaints regarding the telephone response of the police Department. Councilman Clift suggested that a news article, explaining the duties of the dispatcher, may be enlightening to the public. Capt. Stearns explained that the duties of the dispatcher are numerous, answering the telephones, the radio, the 911 system, processing, filing and xeroxing reports, responding to citizens at the counter, etc., and noted that the Department is presently looking into refining those duties. Mr. Grgas urged that the street patrols by the Cushman's be continued, and suggested that if a news article is prepared, this function also be noted. The Assistant City Manager continued the departmental budget review, reporting the Fire budget to be virtually unchanged, an increase of 4.7 percent, however continues to provide an annual saving to the City of approximately $300,000. Mr. Joseph reported Lifeguard Services remains constant, includes a guard for Surfside, that training is reflected in the seasonal salaries, increased by 4 percent. Mr. Joseph explained that when the Lifeguard garage was built the existing gate was removed, therefore it is being proposed to be rebuilt, and that it is staff's understanding the gate is intended to be placed in the open space between the garage and headquarters, not surrounding the complex. On budget page 67, staff corrected the listed 93 account to read "94", and deleted the Account 97 line. Councilman Grgas requested that the beach restrooms be signed for accessibility to the handicapped. Mr. Joseph pointed out that as a requirement of receiving Revenue Sharing funds, the City has done a self-analysis of handicapped access to all public facilities, and that the budget does reflect some modifications and upgrading to accomplish the accessibility. Staff noted that the Account 46 covers reimbursement for use of private vehicles by the Lifeguard Department. with regard to Account 96, the Assistant City Manager clarified that the Capital Outlay Summary provides $1300 and $1200 for generators and vehicle sirens for the Toyota vehicles. Mayor Risner inquired if funds had been placed in the budget to improve Eisenhower park, the curbs, pathways, etc. The City Manager suggested that staff look into the cost of some improvements. Mr. Joseph reported the Animal Control budget is unchanged, and continued to the Development Services budget, a combination of the Planning and Building Divisions. Mr. Joseph pointed out that the I I I 5-30-85 I most significant change in this budget would be the addition of a full time Code Enforcement Officer, one-half charged to Planning and one-half charged to Building. Mayor Risner inquired if the proposed Officer would be acting on a complaint basis or be surveying for Code violations. The Director of Development Services referred to a survey prepared in 1980, noting that many of the units listed no longer exist, that many were bootlegged, explaining that the 1980 survey would be reviewed, that field inspections would show whether or not Code violations still exist, and added that historically code enforcement is handled on a complaint basis. In response to Council, Mr. Baucke acknowledged that if the Officer was investigating a complaint and observed an apparent violation on another property, the Officer would be obligated to report and notice said violation. The City Manager recalled that the City had a Code Enforcement Officer for a couple of years, however a problem arose when he was instructed to stay out of certain areas of the City, therefore Mr. Parker requested that the Council reach an agreement on the rules under which the Officer will function, such as complaint only basis. Mayor Risner expressed her feeling that enforcement should be on a complaint only basis. Councilmembers Clift and Brownell acknowledged that if an obvious violation is observed, it should be reported and noticed. The City Manager reported that an enforcement program has been discussed with the City Attorney, and in light of the fact that the District Attorney's Office does not always follow through in such matters, it is often customary to empower the City Attorney to act as the City Prosecutor on the City'S behalf for Code violations. He reported he has requested a proposal from the City Attorney for this service if the Code Enforcement Program is approved. Mr. Parker reported that the City Attorney has advised that the program could be conducted on a complaint only basis if that is the consistent policy followed throughout the City. Mr. Parker stated for the record that it is staff's intention that response will be on a complaint basis. with regard to Account 24, page 75, the Assistant city Manager noted the Group Medical and Life and Disability Insurance figures had been transposed for years 1984/85 and 1985/86, and a similar calculation error on page 79, also noting that the Code Enforcement Officer had not been included in the medical costs. It was the consensus of the Council to set a second budget workshop for Monday, June 3rd at 5:00 p.m. I ADJOURNMENT It was the order of the Chair, with consent of the Council, to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. I and ex-offi io clerk of the City Council Approved: ~u~~ Ma or 9~~ Attest: