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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1980-06-17 , 6-l7-80if~~ Seal Beach, California June 17, 1980 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Kredell calling the meeting to order I with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Kredell Councilmembers Laszlo, Seitz, Vanderstaay Absent: Councilmember Weir It was noted Mr. Weir's absence from the meeting was due to illness. ,Also present: Mr. Courtemarche, City Manager Mr. Coughlan, City Attorney Mr. Johnson, City Engineer Mr. Romaniello, Planning Director Chief Cibbarelli, Police Department Capt. Picascia, Police Department Mr. Thomas, Finance Director Mr. Osteen, Recreation Director Chief Dorsey, Lifeguard Department Asst. Chief Hutain, Fire Department Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk APPOINTMENT - AD HOC BUS SERVICE COMMITTEE I Councilman Seitz moved to appoint Ms. Jimmie Sharrit to the Ad Hoc Bus Service Study Committee. Mr. Laszlo seconded the motion. AYES: Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Vanderstaay NOES: None ABSENT: Weir Motion carried At the request of the Council, the City Manager stated the first meeting ,of the Bus Service Committee would be established for the following week if possible and that the members of that Committee would be notified. REPORT - FEES and TAXES The City Attorney presented an indepth review of the procedures to be followed when increasing user fees, establishing fees for services I now provided without charge and to establish new or increase existing taxes. The City Attorney explained the law now prohibits increasing property taxes and requires approval by two-thirds of those voting to increase or impose new taxes, stating however that existing fees may be increased to cover the cost to the city of providing those services or programs, with justification and without voter approval. Mr. jL~~,6-l7-80 Coughlan explained that a special tax approved by the voters would only exist for a period of four years at which time it would have to be resubmitted for voter approval to continue and stated further voter approval is also required for expenditures exceeding that limitation of funds. Mayor Kredell asked that a ballot measure be presented in November to impose a tax to cover the cost of paramedic services. Councilman Seitz suggested the Council consider a special tax covering the cost of providing police and fire services. The City Attorney stated when a public safety fund is established it would be necessary to establish a logical formula for assessment, and clarified that taxation by special district would limit services to that district only. Wording of a ballot measure to include percentage increase based on the rate of inflation was also discussed. Council discussed reevaluating charges for Planning and Building Department services provided. Council discussion followed and two members of the audience spoke regarding paramedic services in Leisure World. The City Manager clarified that paramedic services were a matter for discussion because previous voter approved taxes to fund paramedics were lost after the passage of Proposition 13. The City Manager stated further that should service fees not be increased or a special tax imposed to fund services, severe cuts will certainly be necessary in future years and suggested that the Council may wish to direct the staff to provide a report to Council identifying the services that are provided where charges to the citizen do not cover the cost of same. The City Attorney reaffirmed that Council may increase fees presently charged for services without voter approval. Councilmember Laszlo suggested consideration be given to increasing the tax on oil production in the city. Council- member Seitz stated he wished to study further which fees and/or taxes may be increased, and further that he felt city personnel has been substantially reduced and further reduction would have an adverse effect on present service levels. After discussion, the City Council increased fees for Tecreational swimming programs effective July 1, 1980 by Resolution Number 2978 entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL I I I 6-17-80 iG9 I BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING FEES FOR THE COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOL AND FOR THE CITY'S AQUATIC RECREATION AND INSTRUCTION PROGRAM, AND REPEALING RESOLUTION NUMBER 2791." Kredell moved, second by Laszlo, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution Number 2978, to be prepared by staff for the Mayor's signature. AYES: Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Vanderstaay NOES: None ABSENT: Weir Motion carried Planning Director, Mr. Romaniello, presented a review of specific costs incurred by the City in processing basic variance requests for which the City now charges $60. and noted the cost to the City is over $200. Councilmember Vanderstaay suggested the fee for processing variance requests be increased to $250. Discussion followed. The City Attorney stated that, in his opinion, this would be an increase of fees presently charged, therefore would not require a vote of the people. It was the consensus of Council that staff prepare a report showing actual cost to the city of all planning related categories requiring review and present a resolution implememting those fees to Council for consideration. Seitz moved, second by Laszlo, that resolutions be prepared for Council consideration increasing all user fees in the city. AYES: Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Vanderstaay NOES: None ABSENT: Weir Motion carried The City Manager suggested the Council may wish to consider an increase of parking fees for the beach lots on weekends and holidays. Laszlo moved, second by Kredell, to increase weekend and holiday beach parking lot fees by one dollar effective June 21, 1980, waive full reading and adopt Resolution Number 2979 entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING WINTER AND SUMMER RATES FOR PARKING FEES IN THE OCEAN FRONT MUNICIPAL PARKING LOTS IN THE FIRST, EIGHTH AND TElfTH STREET LOTS AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 2806"; the Resolution to be prepared by staff for the Mayor's signature. AYES: Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Vanderstaay NOES: None ABSENT: Weir Motion carried I I 1'~D 6-17-80 . ' I It was the consensus of the Council that the proprietor of the pier sportfishing business be reimbursed one dollar each for ten parking spaces utilized by his customers. Councilman Seitz requested a report showing revenues and expenditures for Animal Control prior to consideration of increasing animal license costs. It was noted fees for special Police Department services will be considered at another time. Mr. Courtemarche stated Council may wish to discuss revising the method of assessing the business license tax and suggested taxation on a gross receipts basis which would be a more equitable method for the business community and result in greater revenue for the city. The City Manager stated staff would research further the gross receipts method of assessment and report back to Council. It was consensus of the Council that imposing a Municipal Service Tax would be discussed at another time prior to the deadline for placing measures on the November ballot. There was brief reference to Deed Transfer and Transient Occupancy Taxes and establishment of a Street Lighting District. The City Manager stated he would provide a report to Council relating to charging for administration of contracts and fees. Mr. Courtemarche stated that the proposed budget with some limitations on replacement of personnel, and increase in service fees, does result in a balanced budget. Capital projects, vehicle and equipment replace- ment for future years was briefly discussed. Mr. Courtemarche stated draft ballot measures will be provided to the Council for their consideration and that he would also provide justification for a Municipal Service Tax. The City Attorney stated he would further research increasing the oil tax based on the market value. The City Manager stated the formal budget hearings will be held June 23rd. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Kredell declared oral communications open from the audience. Mr. George Supple, 1605 Merion Way spoke regarding placement of measures on the ballot. The City Attorney cautioned that justification is necessary to impose any new taxes or fees. Councilman Seitz stated he felt there is a definite need for establishing a public information I I I 6-17-80 111: service to provide residents data regarding the City government, services and staffing. There were no other oral communications; Mayor Kredell declared oral communications closed. EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL SESSION I It was the order of the Chair and consent of the Council to adjourn to Executive Personnel Session at 8:49 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:23 p.m. with Mayor Kredell calling the meeting to order. The City Manager reported the Council had taken action to authorize replacement of personnel positions now vacant. The City Manager also announc~d his appointment of Captain Picas cia as Seal Beach Chief of Police effective June 20, 1980. Laszlo moved, second by Seitz, to approve filling the positions of Secretary in the Engineer Department and two Clerk Dispatcher positions in the POlice Department. ADJOURNMENT Laszlo moved, second by Kredell, to adjourn the meeting at 9:24 p.m. AYES: Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Vanderstaay I NOES: None ABSENT: Weir Motion carried of A~rom' ~~<' / ayo Attest: I