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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1980-11-17 11-17-80 2'?3 Seal Beach, California November 17, 1980 The City Council of the City of Seal Deach met in regular adjourned session at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Kredell calling the meeting to order I with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: ~Iayor Kredell Councilmembers Laszlo, Seitz, Supple, Vanderstaay Absent: None Also present: Mr. Courtemarche, City Manager Chief Picascia, Police Department Chief Adams, Fire Department Mr. Thomas, Finance Director Mr. Joseph, Assistant City Manager Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk BUDGET DISCUSSION City Manager, Mr. Courtemarche, stated he had provided his recommendations for budget reductions as had been requested by the Council and noted the necessity for reduction of the Police and Fire Departments to meet I projected revenue loss in the next fiscal year. Mr. Courtemarche stated the Police and Fire Chiefs were present to discuss reductions in their respective departments with Council. POLICE DEPAR~ffiNT Chief Picascia stated a report had been provided to Council in the agenda packet providing a cost comparison of City versus County police services. Chief Picascia began his presentation explaining his report was based on the anticipated loss of seven police officers which would result in a $220,000 budget reduction. TIle Chief noted that one sergeant would be retiring in 1981 and that that position would not be replaced, that the loss of rol additional six persons would necessitate realignment of all functions within the department. Chief Picascia presented an organiza- tional chart of his department BPd reviewed indepth the responsibilities I and duties of each position. In response to questions posed by Council, the Chief explained: the retiring sergeant serves as supervisor of the Traffic Division and oversees parking lot operations; that no personnel are presently available to supervise the Explorer unit; that the communications officer also serves as dispatcher; only one clerk is ~~~11-17-BO available to serve citizens at the counter and maintain the records bureau; each of the three lieutenants are responsible for a particular watch and that function is supplemented by a field supervisor, as necessary; the motorcycle units and traffic cars are charged with vehicle code enforce- ment, traffic and accident investigations; and noted the beachfront patrol and crossing guards are included in the Police Department budget. The Chief stated the Detective Supervisor Sergeant processes about forty- two case loads per month which includes non-accident deaths, crimes against persons, firearms, acts as a court liaison and juvenile officer. Chief Picascia explained the civilian personnel working the Diversion and Restitution Programs are part time employees working in.'conjunction with other cities and are compensated on a prorata basis for time spent with the city. The Chief continued with a review of the functions performed by the five member detective bureau, explaining the normal case load for that division and reviewed duties of the Administrative Supervisor Sergeant. Chief Picascia explained the function of the personnel responsible for records, reports, statistics, warrants, etc. and continued with a review of the parking citation and animal control operations. The Chief reported that the jail facility is only used as a temporary holding facility and that the Police Department community relations activities were eliminated in January 1980. The City Manager stated that should it be necessary for the Police Department to cut seven persons it may not be advisable to cut totally from the patrol units, that the present average of personnel in the field is about three and one-half persons per shift and would therefore be reduced to one or two sworn field officers. The Chief stated it would be necessary to reduce detectives and other personnel to supplement the patrol division in order to maintain the highest possible manning in that area and explained the necessity for a minimum of'two patrol officers per shift. Mayor Kredell asked if it would be possible to reduce personnel rank. The Chief explained the personnel layoff procedures will have to be analyzed in accordance with personnel rules and regulations and the Memorandums of Understanding and a determination made by the City Attorney. Cheif Picascia reported he foresees the necessity to cut two detectives and I I I ll-17-8~! . ~. one sergeant and move towards a case management program that wou~d re- quire an indepth review of each incident to determine subsequent action. The Chief briefly explained the effect of maximum layoffs as it relates I to response time and service levels, and handled on a priority basis. The Chief verified the current budget authorizes forty-five Police Department employees and is presently operating at forty-three. The Mayor referred to employee pension plans; Chief Picascia stated that the City of Los Angeles has its own retirement system, Seal Beach is under PERS, and explained the difference in the two systems. Councilman Supple stated he would like an actuarial evaluation of the city's pension obligations to verify those figures reflected in the budget. The City Manager stated Seal Beach contracts with the State for its retirement plan and that PERS has been recognized ps one of the soundest systems in the nation, noting that an assessment is performed annually and the contribution has generally been increased each year to assure the soundness of the program. Councilman Supple asked if there are any I unfunded retirement obligations to the Police or Fire Departments; the City Manager affirmed there are none. The City Manager also explained the method of annual allocation from property tax revenue to comply with the city's obligations for retirement benefits and noted that retirement costs are known just prior to entering into the budget year. Mayor Krcdell asked the projected increase in retirement costs over the next four years; the City Manager responded that historically the annual increase is between two and five percent. The Finance Director estimated a maximum annual increase of $70,000. The City Manager continued, stating that the city'S retired employees determines the rate change and that the limit on cost of living is two percent for those retired employees, also noting that the greatest effect is from those with I disability retirements. Councilman Supple expressed concern that the PERS system is financially capable of paying all retirement benefits and urged that an actuarial study be made to guarantee sufficiency of the retirement fund. The City Manager stated he could provide Council with reports compiled by an independent agency regarding the PERS system. Councilman Supple inquired as to the number of persons under disability 2t;;lG ~r", 11-17-80 retirement; the City Manager stated he had knowledge of six employees, all from the safety services. Councilman Seitz suggested the Police Chief investigate activating the jail facility and report its impact on the department and the community. 'I Councilman Supple inquired about reimbursement for operations required by state law; Chief Picas cia briefly reviewed the parking citation program, fines and revenues; explained the court liaison officer's function; tr~sporting of prisoners; and stated he anticipated a surplus in the budget overtime account at the end of the fiscal year. Councilman Supple commented regarding the level of police services that will be acceptable to the community and stated he had requested a report showing crime statistics. The City Manager referred to personnel and service reductions as mandated by the vote on Proposition "0". Councilman Laszlo requested a report showing anticipated revenue from the Hellman property development and the Redevelopment Agency and suggested reduction of not more than four police personnel. FIRE DEPARTMENT I Fire Chief Adams presented Council with reports dealing with the objectives of the Fire Department, an organizational chart, incident data for 1979 and ten months of 1980 and a seniority list of Fire Department personnel. Chief Adams stated the main mission of the Fire Department is fire prevention and fire suppression activities, that state law requires municipalities to provide fire protection and law enforcement services, the level of services however, to be determined by each jurisdiction and that there is not requirement to provide basic life support system care. Chief Adams explained that the Insurance Service Office establishes fire insurance rates based upon ability and resources of the fire department and the water system. Chief Adams reported that Seal Beach has recently been regraded, the results of this evaluation to be available within six months, and noted the city is presently I classified with a "four" rating with a maximum rating"of "one". Chief Adams also reported that the Insurance Office has requested that we advise them of our resources for the next fiscal year and that the insurance rates will be adjusted accordingly. The City Manager noted 11-17-80: __" "''t>~ ,..,..::.:1..... that fire insurance costs are currently about $15 per grade per year. Chief Adams referred to the city's mutual aid agreements, stating p~rticipating cities must maintain service levels of fire suppression in order to participate and that the city's agreements require three I personnel per unit. Councilman Laszlo asked if the paramedics have any effect on the insurance classification. Chief Adams responded that they do in Seal Beach because of their classification as fire- fighters and paramedics. Chief Adams continued, explaining that the Net Six system, consisting of Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Westminster and Seal Beach, is utilized for fire suppression, training, communication, arson, etc. with each city maintaining a basic fire- fighting team of two engines and one truck company with a minimum of three personnel per unit for equal/mutual response. Chief Adams gave a comprehensive review of each position in the Fire Department operation and specific areas of responsibility and spoke at length regarding obligations of those participating in Net Six and the necessity to I maintain adequate fire suppression personnel and equipment. Councilman Supple questioned equality between the Net Six cities as it relates to size and the assistance provided. The City Manager explained how the areas within the Net are assigned and noted the automatic and immediate response for assistance. Chief Adams pointed out the resources realized through the Net, including the use of the training facility, communica- tions center and arson investigation team at a minimal cost. Mayor Kredell asked at what reduced level Net Six would not automatically respond in Seal Beach. The alief stated response will be affected in accordance with Seal Beach reductions, boundaries will be altered and that they will respond on mutual aid only as their Ullits are available, and noted there is nothing in a written contract that says they must respond. Cheif Adams stated that volunteers arc used as additional I manpower on all structural responses. Chief Adams concluded by speaking highly of the merits of the department as it now exists, explained that the Fire Department is currently operating at a minimum personnel level while providing the community with adequate fire suppression services and expressed concern with providing acceptable services with less than ~4 11-17-80 the present ten employees per shift. Chief Adams stated that should cuts be necessary he would recommend maintaining fire suppression forces as they exist and cuts be made in the medical aid force, which was the last program initiated and not'required by law. Mayor Kredell suggested placing paramedics on the truck units. Chief Adams cited several problems that could occur with that type of deployinent. Mayor Kredell suggested the paramedic issue be placed on the ballot again. The City Manager explained that the fifty-four percent passage of the original paramedic measure would no longer be adequate and that the Leisure World assessment would have to be fairly based upon service provided. Chief Adams explained the projected responses for Leisure World residents, the remainder of the community and non-resident medical aids for the next year. Councilman Supple suggested Seal Beach pursue providing paramedic services to other communities on a contract basis. The City Manager reported Seal Beach presently provides those services to a portion of Rossmoor and the Sunset Beach areas bringing the serviceable population to about 40,000. Chief Adams reported charges to the county for services provided in county areas are based on the last census figures, and some increase in revenue is anticipated when new census data is available. Councilman Supple referred to the cost per medical response and the availability of firemen if the paramedic unit served an expanded area, and explained that the vote in opposition to Proposition "0" in Leisure World was not based on whether or not that cOllllllUDity wanted paramedic services, it was based on the equality of the assessment. Councilman Supple suggested implementation of a user charge not be discounted. The City Manager responded that a user charge could be possible if supplemented by other revenue such as a homeowner fee and cautioned another problem may be that paramedic services are presently funded from the existing tax base and stated the City Attorney will be providing an opinion regarding this matter. Difficulty in collection of a user charge was discussed. Council inquired as to the cost of placing the paramedic issue on the ballot next year; the City Clerk stated the Orange County Registrar of Voters had estimated the cost for March or June dates to be $1 per registered voter, the cost for November I I I 11-17-80 ~ I would be less and dependent upon the number of elections available for consolidation within the city'S boundaries. Councilman Seitz expressed concern in cutting the Police Department by seven officers, suggesting no more than five. and his opposition to eliminating the paramedic service. Councilman Seitz stated he had reviewed the three basic Net Six contracts: one dealing with the communication system for a ten year period; one for use of the training facility that will continue as it presently exists; and a third agreement initiated in 1977 for automatic response based on paramedic services which refers to providing fire and rescue services but does not specify the number of fire suppression units to be available. In reference to mutual aid, Mr. Seitz noted the city's contribution of approximately $50,000 per year to Net Six and stated he felt mutual response would still be available if equipment were to be reduced, and noted however, that if paramedic service is eliminated the city would lose those "reciprocal services provided by other Net cities. Mr. Seitz referred to statistics provided by the Fire Chief, noting that for 1979 the number of medical responses versus fires was seven to one, and that the projected figures for 1980 are nine to one with a fifty to one ratio in the Leisure World community. Mr. Seitz referred to the availability of fire insurance and smoke alarm systems for residential structure protection versus the avail- ability of emergency medical aid, also that paramedics serve as firemen and are available in that capacity in the event of a major fire. Council- man Seitz opposed placing the paramedic issue on the ballot"referred to medical services provided within the Leisure World community, and suggested cutting the snorkle truck for a total of six personnel. The City Manager stated that paramedic requests are not significantly more than before the program was initiated, that each of the firemen is experienced in first aid, and that any elimination of an engine or truck company will certainly have an effect on the fire insurance rates. Chief Adams reiterated his recommendation that for deployment purposes and operational efficiency of the department, it would be best to eliminate the paramedic service. Councilman Seitz continued, suggesting $25,000 saving from street lighting conversion, elimination of the I I ~~11-17-80 animal control and reduction of the Public Works Department rather than Police and Fire cuts. Mayor Kredell suggested eliminating the lifeguard rescue boat and two personnel from that department. EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL SESSION It was the order of the Chair with consent of the Council, to adjourn to Executive Personnel Session at 8:50 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:16 p.m. with the Mayor calling the meeting to order. ACTING CITY MANAGER Laszlo moved, second by Kredell, to appoint Mr. Denis Thomas as Acting City Manager effective December 13, 1980, salary to be $3250 per month. AYES: Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Supple, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried ADJOURNMENT Laszlo moved, second by Seitz, to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m. AYES:" Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Supple, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried ty Clerk and ex-offi he Seal Beach of App....., ?t"f~<'" May r I I I