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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1979-06-19 ~. 6-l9-79 4~ Seal Beach, California June 19, 1979 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Seitz calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. Present: Mayor Seitz Councilmen Laszlo, Weir I ROLL CALL Absent: Councilmen Gray, Kredell It was noted for the record that Mr. Gray's absence from the meeting was excused. Also present: Mr. Courtemarche, City Manager Mr. Thomas, Finance Director Mr. Johnson, City Engineer Chief Adams, Fire Department Mr. Osteen, Recreation Director BUDGET STUDY SESSION Fire Department Fire Chief, Ron Adams, reviewed the functions of the Fire Department as it related to protection of life and property, public education and fire prevention and presented the Council with a supplemental pack of I information relating to the Fire Department budget for fiscal year 1979-80. Chief Adams reviewed charts showing Fire Department statistics over a five year period and stated he contemplated no increase in personnel this fiscal year and stated the Fire Department manpower has already been reduced by 5% over the past two years,' Chief Adams referred to the Orange County Master Plan requirements for paramedic personnel per unit and recommended transfer of one Firefighter to the Paramedic Division. The Fire Chief also recommended the reclassification of one Operations Officer to Battalion Chief to provide a third person in the Fire Department Administration and further recommended reclassification of a Firefighter to Fire Inspector as a full time position. Chief Adams clarified the total Fire Department personnel proposed would be 40 2/3 including the twelve volunteer firemen: and also that the proposed budget did reflect the retention of one CETA I personnel. The Fire Chief reviewed the maintenance and operations costs in the proposed budget noting the inclusion of vehicle depreciation and maintenance and repair costs for Stations 1 and 3. Chief Adams referred to the capital outlay account and expressed a desire to obtain a base I I I 6-19-79 ~2.1 communications station to allow contact with other agencies in case of emergency. Chief Adams commented on the Fire Department revised budget noting some consequences of a 20% cut would be seven less fire suppression personnel, removal of the snorkel from service, and loss of reciprocal response apparatus and personnel from the Net 6 cities. Paramedic Division Chief AdaD~ reviewed the proposed paramedic budget for 1979-80, ek~laining the increased costs in all areas over the 1978-79 fiscal year. Chief Adams expressed his concern regarding reduction of the paranedic budget which would result in reduced paramedic personnel and stated that if it were necessary to take the paramedic unit out of service the County may revoke the city'S certification to provide the paramedic services, and noted the possible loss of County revenue for providing paramedic service to Sunset Beach and the Rossmoor area. The Fire Chief requested direction as to whether or not the Fire Department could participate in the next paramedic training program which is scheduled to start in August. Mayor Seitz suggested the Department plan to participate in the training program in August lmless otherwise notified. In response to the Council, the City Manager reported it had been anticipated the city would receive $370,000 in State bail-out funds for fiscal year 1978-79, however based upon a revised ruling by the State Controllers office, it now appeared that the city would be receiving $200,000 and stated he would keep the Council informed of any new developments. Chief Adems continued llis budget presentation, stating he had additional items he wished the Council to consider: that the city consider participating in a Fire Department repair and maintenance shop through a joint powers agreement and asked that the County be contacted requesting the use of revenue sharing funds for this facility; requested a fire apparatus replacement program be initiatlld, that funds be allocated for purchase and rehabilitation of used equipment and that the use of the State fire vehicle be terminated; and requested that an architect be hired to prepare a space needs study for enlarging and improving Fire Station 3. Coulcilcan Laszlo requested a cost breakdown for each of the items requested by the Fire Chief. ~4l~() 6-19-79 Recreation Department Mr. Osteen, Recreation Director, stated that the proposed Recreation Department budget for 1979-80 was less than the 1978-79 budget and cited severe reductions in recreation services if the revised budget is implemented. Mr. Osteen stated the revised budget would result in the possible closing of the Recreation Office one day per week; that the proposed five recreation leaders would not be hired which would effect the summer programs in all parks and the winter park programs would be eliminated completely. Mr. Osteen explained the function of the park recreation leaders throughout the year noting those persons also act as coaches and officials for the youth and adult leagues. Mr. Osteen also noted cuts would be necessary in the pool operation, the pool manager's time, deletion of the Surf and Beach Techniques program, closing of the pool during Easter vacation, the elimination of one swimming coach, and cuts in several other areas. Mr. Osteen suggested some alternatives would be to increase fees for recreation programs, recreational swimming, swim team dues and swimming passes. Mr. Osteen also noted that specialized programs would continue on a self-supporting basis. Mr. Osteen stated that the Recreation budget as originally proposed reflected no increase in personnel or salaries. Public Works Department Mr. Johnson, City Engeneer/Director of Public Works, presented an overview of the proposed Public Works Department budget for fiscal year 1979-80 and stated the burden of reductions in the 1978-79 budget occurred within the Public Works Department, however those cuts were somewhat eased by the use of CETA personnel. Mr. Johnson explained the varied duties performed by CETA personnel during their employ with the city and stated that the majority of CETA employees will be lost to the Public Works Department by September 30th of this year. Mr. Johnson noted the increased duties placed on the Public Works Department by the additional parkland areas and landscaped medians throughout the city and explained the need for continued maintenance of aging city facilities. Mr. Johnson reviewed the effects and reduced service levels resulting from the revised proposed budget ' on the Public Works Department operations, noting that this department would be reduced to 38 personnel and requested that no personnel cuts I I I I I 6-l9-79 ~:l~ be imposed due to the upcoming loss of CErA. .!r. Johnson 5tated further that budget cuts in operational expenses were not realistic in his judgment because of the many areas where cuts are not possible and cited water operations and maintenance as an example. Mr. Johnson reported other areas that would be severely affected would be maintenance and repair to sewer facilities and traffic signals, I,arkway maintenance and tree trimnling, street sweeping reduced to twice monthly, drainage and street maintenance, weed and trash control, reduction in vehicle maintenance and repair and many other services under the realm of Public Works functions. The City Manager clarified that the city would not be able to hire CETA personnel in the future due to the revised CETA salary scale nor is the city allowed to create new job classifications for those personnel, The City Engineer outlined the prioritized list of capital projects as proposed for fiscal year 1979-80 and stated the budget as it exists for those projects totals approximately $950,000. It was clarified that Westminster Avenue Improvements, Pacific Coast Highway Landscaping and the Trailer Relocation projects are already funded within the proposed budget. It was noted that several of the projects listed had been proposed by the Recreation Commission and Mr. Osteen, Recreation Director, verified that a final priority development list has now been established by the Recreation Commission and stated that Park and Recreation Funds could possibly be used for some of those projects. Discussion - Water Rates Mr. Johnson requested discussion of present rates for water service and stated that in the past several years improvements to the water system and equipment have not been undertaken unless of an emergency nature because of lack of revenue in the Water Fund. Mr. Johnson reported that water rates'ift the City of Seal Beach are about 40% lower than the County average and stated that the Finance Director had designed a III formula by which water rates could be adjusted the first of each calendar year to provide sufficient funds for current operations plus approximately 10%, to be retained in a reserve fund for long term water plant and equipment replacement and repair. A seven to ten cent per ~lbic foot increase was suggested. Mr. Johnson recommended that this matter be presented to the Council again for review in the ~(38 6-l9-79 Newsletter and discussed at a future meeting. It was the consensus of those present that this matter would be presented at the first meeting in September. Redevelopment Agency The City Manager reported that due to the effect of Proposition 13 it was anticipated the Redevelopment Agency would realize a loss of approximately 60% of its property tax revenue during the next fiscal year. Mr. Courtemarche stated the cash flow of the Agency would result in inadequate funds to cover the Trailer Park redevelopment costs and the debt service on the Redevelopment Agency bonds. Mr. Courtemarche recommended that the Agency borrow those funds from the city's Plant and Equipment Fund at an interest rate established by the Council and repay the debt over a specified period of time. Mr. Courtemarche also explained funds may be available on a loan basis from the State as an alternative. The City Manager stated further that no funds would be available for the annual payrilent to the school district and suggested the amount of the proposed loan could be increased to include the payment if the Agency wished, and suggested further that the Agency may wish to wait for the outcome of present legislation prior to committing a payment to the school district. The City Manager reminded the Council that upon the completion of proposed developments in the Redevelopment Area the Agency's financial status would be quite secure. In response to the Council, the City Manager explained that it is not definite at this time whether or not funds would be available from the State on a loan basis and stated that when all information is available the options would be evaluated and presented to the Agency for consideration. The City Manager also clarified a loan could be made from the Cash Basis Fund or a combination of funds if the Agency so desired. The Council discussed establishing a higher interest rate and longer repay schedule than previous loans made to the Agency. Budget Conclusion and Request for Direction The City Manager presented an overview of the budget study sessions and revised revenue projections. Mr. Courtemarche reported that if revenues are received as anticipated, all personnel and some non-personal items proposed to be cut from this budget could be restored. The City Manager recommended that the proposed budget as originally presented I I I 6-l9-79 4'R9 be adopted, with the stipulation that January 1, 1980 a definitive priority list of personnel cuts be established based upon staff recononendations and. implemented prior to the next fiscDl :,ear, that no additional personnel be hired, that no additional capital projects be funded other than those now funded in this budget and that no new I services be implemented or funded. The City Manager stated that if the Council agreed with the concept of this reconm~ndation the budget would be prepared for presentation at the public hearing on that basis. It was clarified for the Council that the CETA personnel remaining with the city were included in the proposed budget. Mr. Laszlo requested that previous budgets be included in the agenda packet for comparison. Mayor Seitz spoke in support of the reservations proposed by the City Manager if the proposed budget wero adopted. APPOINTMENTS - AD HOC AIRPORT COMMITTEE Weir moved, second by Laszlo, to appoint loll'. Francis Looney, 13800 El Dorado Drive, 24-L, as the fifth member of the Ad Hoc Airport Committee and to appoint Mr. Harry P. McHale, 13361 El Dorado Drive, I l-E, as the second at-large member of that Committee. AYES: Laszlo, Seitz, Weir NOES: None ABSENT: Gray, Kredell Motion carried ADJOURNMENT Laszlo moved, second by Weir, to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. AYES: Laszlo, Seitz, Weir NOES: None ABSENT: Gray, Kredell Motion carried Attest: J ex-officio clerk of City Council III Approved: