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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1981-01-06 1-6-81 . SO!)' Seal Beach, California January 6, 1981 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 6:40 p.m. with ~ayor Kredell calling the meeting to order I with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Kredell Councilmembers Laszlo, Seitz, Supple, Vanderstaay Absent: None Also present: Mr. Thomas, Acting City Manager Mr. Joseph, Assistant City Manager Mr. Romaniello, Planning Director Mr. Osteen, Recreation Director Mr. Zaharas, Acting Finance Director Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk AGENDA AMENDED As requested by the Acting City Manager, Kredell moved, second by Vanderstaay, to amend the agenda to include a request for replacement of a Typist Clerk position in the Finance Department. I AYES: Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Supple, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried BUDGET DISCUSSION Acting City Manager, Mr. Thomas, opened the third budget discussion session stating that representatives of the City Manager, Recreation, City Clerk, Finance and Planning Departments were present to discuss pending budget reductions. Mr. Thomas explained that the total city hall staff has decreased over the past ten years to approximately eighteen employees, noted the loss of several CETA employees since the passage of Proposition 13 and clarified that several of the city hall employees actually perform their duties in the field leaving approximately fourteen persons to carry out the administrative function and respond to the public. The I Acting City Manager referred to the proposal for budget reductions that was presented at the first budget session which recommend severe personnel reductions and offered for consideration another option, provided to the Council in the agenda packet as a confidential memorandum, proposing less severe personnel cuts plus some revenue producing sugges- tions. With reference to proposed assessment districts, Mr. Thomas W",h 1-6-81 -ulv stated it would be necessary for the Council to provide direction to the staff by the first of February if they wished to proceed with the necessary steps to implement the districts. Mayor Kredell asked if Leisure World would be excluded from the districts. Mr. Thomas clarified the assessment for each parcel of property would be based upon the I benefit derived and that it may be determined certain benefits to the Leisure World community to be minimal. Mayor Kredell noted the Leisure World community may be realizing police, fire and paramedic services without additional financial contribution. The Assistant City Manager stated it was not certain at this time if Leisure World could be legally excluded from the assessment districts and noted that Leisure World presently pays for its street lighting and street maintenance and clarified any assessment must be related to the service provided. The Acting City Manager verified the assessment districts could be terminated at any time determined by the Council. Councilman Laszlo requested a'report from the City Attorney setting forth procedures for establishing a paramedic assessment district, with and without the Leisure World community, and possibilities for forming other service I related districts. Councilman Seitz asked that the City Attorney base his report on precedent and the ability to defend on behalf of the city. Councilman Laszlo expressed his support for a landscaping assessment if it would preserve a paramedic position'but stated he could not support a lighting district at this time. Councilman Seitz expressed support for lighting assessment rather than landscaping. Mayor Kredell stated he has not as yet received the personnel seniority list for the Fire Department. The Acting City Manager advised that a synopsis of the City Attorney's opinion regarding personnel rules will be forthcoming. Councilman Supple expressed support for initiating the assessment districts, suggesting street lighting assessment would probably be more acceptable and affirmed that Leisure World pays for its own street maintenance and lighting. Mayor Kredell stated he had not yet determined I to support either assessment district proposal. The Acting City Manager suggested the Council may wish to consider the total annual assessment to the property owner rather than the particular type of assessment. Council asked if the $750,000 predicted budget deficit included State 1-6-81 .,a.fA 1'J.'~~ bailout funds; the Acting City Manager affirmed that it did and stated that if the bailout is not received the deficit will be increased by that anticipated amount. Mayor Kredell suggested no city services be provided for the annual band review and that financial support of the I Leisure World/Rossmoor bus be eliminated. Councilmember Vanderstaay expressed her support for retention of the bus service. Councilmember Seitz requested an update of predicted revenues be provided the Council. In response to Council the Planning Director stated the Bixby project is anticipated to begin by April of this year and the time span for development of the Trailer Park condominium project was discussed. City Manager's Department The Acting City Manager presented a brief review of the City Manager's Department, currently staffed by four persons and includes the city'S personnel operation. Councilman Supple questioned the exact duties of the secretary to the City Manager and was explained by Mr. Thomas. Mr. Thomas stated the Council may wish to consider closing city hall one or I two days per week, thereby lowering service levels to the public. Assistant City Manager, Mr. Joseph, stated that according to a study he had conducted of the four day work week the basic savings occurred in the areas of utility usage and gasoline savings to the employee. Recreation Department Mr. Osteen addressed the Recreation Department operation and the effect of budget cuts, stating his proposal provided a $45,432 spending reduction plus an increase in revenue, resulting in a $60,500 departmental saving. Mr. Osteen verified that both youth and adult league activities are self-supporting and suggested park personnel and supplies be reduced by one-half for a $26,890 saving, and explained this would cut five park leaders and still allow for maintenance of the park programs with one leader on duty. The Recreation Director described the duties of the park I leaders which includes after school programs, field trips, etc. and sugggested more volunteers would be used to provide supervision of certain activities. The Recreation Director also proposed that five pool personnel could be cut and still provide the aquatics program by possibly reducing the numb~r of persons in the instruction classes and limit the participation 3:1:2: 1-6-81 in recreational swimming due to limited lifeguard services. Mr. Osteen also suggested cutting the competitive swimming personnel by one-half for an approximate saving of $5340, and explained the beach and surf techniques program was a self-supporting program. Mayor Kredell requested a report showing the breakdown of all proposed Recreation Department cuts. Mr. Osteen clarified the competitive swimming cuts would mean loss of one coach, that no cuts are proposed for the pool maintenance and that the deficit from the competitive swimming program is approximately $500 if present participation is maintained, and noted the present fee is based on the actual individual participation, or approximately $20 per month. Councilman Seitz stated he wished to see the Recreation Department operate on a total break even basis. Mr. Osteen also suggested consideration of installing a pool enclosure that would also provide opening capabilities for year round operation, and stated grant funds may be available for such a project. Mr. Thomas reported a $45,000 cut would reduce the Recreation Department budget to about $175,000. Mr. Osteen expressed some concern with increased vandalism problems should all park programs be eliminated and explained that the fees for adult leagues are presently quite high. Mr. Osteen also referenced the MORE Nutrition Program and noted the previous participation by the city in purchasing the van for that Program which provides transportation to approximately forty persons per day to the Program and explained that home meals are delivered by volunteer personnel. City Clerk's Department The Acting City Manager reported the previous staff of 3.5 persons in the City Clerk's Department has been reduced by one. The City Clerk stated the staff includes two full time and one part time employees and that the part time employee receives hourly compensation only with no additional benefits. Mr. Thomas explained the function of the City Clerk's Department as it relates to all other departmental activities, public documents, information center and central switchboard operation. The City Clerk explained that the majority of duties performed are required by law, other tasks include processing liability claims and in-house supplementation of the Municipal Code. The Clerk reported a recent five consecutive day switchboard survey averaged one call every I I I 1-6-81 3:n:t I two minutes and that current informational resources being used have resulted in approximately twenty-five percent reduction in transferable calls. The City Clerk also noted the upcoming fiscal year budget will include an appropriation for the 1982 municipal elections. Finance Department Mr. Thomas reported Finance Department personnel reduction by one since Proposition 13 passage and noted loss of several CETA employees. Mr. Thomas reviewed the responsibilities of the current staff of six which includes the Finance Director/City Treasurer and the Assistant Finance Director. Mr. Thomas responded that 25% to 30% of two clerks working time is spent responding to the public at the counter. Councilman Seitz suggested the Finance Department open to the public one or two days per week and consider paying warrants only once per month. Mr. Thomas stated it is advantageous to utilize discount offers whenever possible and reported further that the Finance Department also handles payroll, accounting, purchasing, budget preparation, annual audits, water and trash billing. Mr. Thomas reported that the actual payroll processing is performed by the Bank of America on a contract basis. COlmcilman Supple asked if there are any other bank services that could be utilized and the significance of the cost savings. Mr. Thomas also stated the city owns the main computer and two small computers that provide backup in the event of downtime. Councilman Laszlo suggested the colilpensation of those Finance Department personnel working with water related duties should be paid from the water fund rather than the General Fund. Planning Department Planning Director, Mr. Romaniello, reported a Planning Department budget of $72,000 for personnel costs and $1,000 for maintenance and operation. Mr. Romaniello stated he again wished to request Council consideration of providing the Planning Department with secretarial personnel. Mr. Romaniello noted a significant increase in permit fees, zoning violation penalties, and activities relating to several upcoming projects all requiring extensive Planning Department services. Council discussed publication of building permit reports, need for additional building inspectors, and projects currently and soon to be under construction. I I '$Pi 1-6-81 ,~ Further discussion continued regarding the activities of the zoning inspector with .the Planning Director stating that is an ongoing program and approximately two hundred forty violations have been dealt with to date. Councilman Supple suggested a maximum employment period should be considered for personnel hired for specific purposes rather than allowing programs to continue for several years. The Acting City Manager suggested the Council may wish to provide specific direction to the staff regarding pursuing the proposed assessment districts may be terminated at any time by the Council. Councilman Seitz noted engineering consultant costs involved to initiate the districts and questioned whether or not it would be advisable to spend those funds without intent to form the districts. Councilman Supple recommended that the proposed districts be considered separately. Council discussed estimated revenue expectations and financial solvency of the Redevelopment Agency. The Acting City Manager referred to 1981-82 increased revenue from development projects and suggested that the assessment district issue be considered by Council at the January 26th meeting. Council members recommended news releases be let advising the community of all potential budget cuts as well as conderation of the assessment districts. It was also clarified that should Council pursue only one assessment district it will be necessary to consider additional budget and personnel reductions in other areas. Councilman Laszlo indicated he still wished to pursue a ballot measure increasing the oil barrel tax based upon increased cost per barrel or any other tax proposal that does not directly tax the citizen. The Acting City Manager suggested Council may also wish to consider obtaining tax anticipation loans or disposing of certain city owned parcels of land. Councilman Supple cautioned against disposing of the city's capital assets. Mr. Thomas offered to provide Council with a confidential report showing all real estate owned by the city. Councilman Seitz inquired if it would be proposed that the city again provide financial assistance to the Agency in 1981-82; Mr. Thomas responded that staff is looking into possibility of obtaining a State Local Agency Indebtedness Loan for the Agency. TYPIST CLERK POSITION - FINANCE DEPARTMENT Kredell moved, second by Vanderstaay, to authorize the City Manager to I I I 1-6-81 / 1-12-81 ~~ replace the typist-clerk in the Finance Department until the end of the fiscal year. AYES: Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Supple, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried I PROPOSED BUDGET CALENDAR A proposed calendar for budget considerations was provided the Council and the Acting City Manager requested Council inform him of any proposed dates that are unacceptable. It was the order of the Chair with consent of Council to receive and file the budget calendar. ADJOURNMENT Kredell moved, second by Vanderstaay, to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 p.m. AYES: Kredell, Laszlo, Seitz, Supple, Vanderstaay NOES: None Motion carried y Clerk and ex-off1c' clerk of e Seal Beach City Cou cil I App=.,,~<?4/ Ma or L Attest: Seal Beach, California January 12, 1981 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Kredell calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. I ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Kredell Councilmembers Laszlo, Seitz, Supple, Vanderstaay Absent: None