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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01-21-92-Adjourned w CDC 'I t MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL /COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COiMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 1992 The City Council /Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4 :34 p.m., January 21, 1992, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor /Chairman Barbara J. Hay den presiding. PRESENT: Council Members /Commissioners : Barbara J. Hayden Mayor/Chairman Diane P. Boggs Mayor Pro -Tem /Vice - Chairman Robert G. Cormack (Arrived at 4:35 p.m.) Robert S. Brazelton ABSENT: Richard D. Carter (Excused) ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive er /Executive Director Judith McDonnell, City Clerk /Secretary Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Ronald Irwin, Fire Chief James Jarrett, Director of Community Services Clayton Mayes, Police Chief Art Rangel, Dir. of Comm. Dev. /Asst. Executive Director Richard Redmayne, Acting Director of Public Works Lowell Williams, Director of Finance Ron Yoshi ki , Asst. Comm. Dev. Director /City Planner Joe Arranaga, Superintendent, Physical Services Charles Baptista, Police Lieutenant Robert Brace, Acting City Engineer Dennis Chelstrom, Police Captain Dennis Groat, Fire Marshall p' Victoria Jenkins, City Librarian William Makshanoff, Building Official Greg Mayfield, Water /Sanitation Superintendent Mike Miller, Police Captain Richard Nathan, Police Captain Ed Velasco, Housing Manager Cindi Apidgian, Executive Secretary MID -YEAR BUDGET REY I EW Mr. Powell summarized the staff report, noting proposals have been established in response to the difficult economic recession which has considerably reduced Downey's revenue. He narrated a brief slide presentation, depicting bar graphs that illustrate a decrease in sales tax and automobile sales, an increase in building activity, and the cumulative impact of the City's hiring freeze which has affected 30 positions since January, 1991. He explained part of the problem is overestimating sales tax, and budget actions adopted by the state that have diluted the money received by the City, resulting in a $2 million revenue shortfall. He discussed the nine Level A proposals that will save the City approximately $2.5 million. He noted the option of initiating Level B proposals if the economic situation worsens. City Council /Comm. Dev. Minutes - 1/21/92 (Adj.) -1- Referring to Level A proposal #7, Council Member /Commissioner Boggs thoi, � -; P P 99 questioned how the actual late charge on water bills would be calculated if the bill is not paid within 30 days of the due date. Mr. Caton explained that a late charge could be calculated as a percentage of the water bill or a flat rate; either charge must be approved at a public hearing. Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton questioned whether staff has prioritized frozen positions should funds become available for hiring and was informed the City Manager was given the authority to make adjustments he deems necessary to ensure successful operation of a department. He then suggested priority be given to filling Community Services /Recreation positions as this Department is very service - oriented to the general public. He also requested clarification on the need to reinstate the hotel tax exemption. Discussion ensued regarding the reasoning for reinstating the hotel tax exemption for federal and state employees while on official business and the possibility of establishing late fees on other delinquent accounts. Council Member /Commissioner Boggs recalled that revenue collected from the utility users tax was to fund additional police officer positions, not police equipment. Mayor /Chairman Hayden concurred, noting her intent in passing the utility users tax was to increase the manpower of the Police Department. She requested staff review the possibility of sending a one -time rebate of utility users tax funds to the taxpayers of Downey since the money collected cannot be spent as intended on police officer positions, due to training constraints, etc. She referenced a written document received by Council from the Downey Police Officers' Association expressing their view that the current radio system is adequate. It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Cormack and seconded by Mayor/ Chairman Hayden to direct staff to return with a rebate program as discussed. AYES: 2 COUNCIL MEMBERS /COMMISSIONERS: Cormack, Hayden NOES: 2 COUNCIL MEMBERS /COMMISSIONERS: Boggs, Brazelton ABSENT: 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS /COMMISSIONERS: Carter Motion failed. Prior to the foregoing vote, Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton stated that approving this motion would be premature before discussing other agenda items and noted it would be prudent to keep a financial reserve in case the economic situation deteriorates over the years. Council Member /Commissioner Boggs agreed, stating specific needs should be considered before a rebate program is approved. Council Member /Commissioner Cormack agreed this money should be used to employ police officers or be refunded back to the taxpayers. After further discussion regarding the legality of the PERS retirement credit and spending utility users tax funds on equipment items, it was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Boggs, seconded by Council Member /Commisioner Brazelton, and unanimously carried by the Council Members /Commissioners present to approve Level A proposals with the exception of proposal 13. City Council /Comm. Dev. Minutes - 1/21/92 (Adj.) -2- 9 ! E j UNSCHEDULED EQUIPMENT PURCHASE - REPLACEMENT OF TWO -WAY RADIO SYSTEM - POLICE DEPARTMENT Mr. Caton noted the communications consultant was unable to attend today's meeting to discuss the radio system. Also, a letter was received from the Downey Police Officers' Association opposing the purchase of the proposed radio system. Based on these two facts, he suggested continuance of this item to the meeting of February 11, 1992. Council Member /Commissioner Boggs requested special training on the computer and radio systems prior to making a decision on these matters. Council/Commission concurred and was informed this would be arranged. • i It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Cormack, seconded by Council Member /Commissioner Boggs, and unanimously carried by the Council Members/ Commissioners present to reschedule consideration of replacement of the radio system to the meeting of February 11, 1992. REQUEST TO PROVIDE NEEDED SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES REQUIRED BY POLICE DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE COMPUTER PROGRAM Captain Chelstrom summarized the staff report, noting the need for support in operating the Department's Record Management System and new Computer -Aided Dispatch System since the police officers do not have expertise to solve on- site problems as they occur. Officers will be trained by a contracted company (CMSI) to become more computer literate. Council Member /Commissioner Boggs asked if there were any guarantees given by CMSI and was informed that timelines have been established to train the Department's officers on the computer systems. She inquired into the cost of the contract and suggested officers be trained to handle the computer systems 24 hours a day. Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton questioned whether any other bids were considered and was informed that after defining the specifications needed, T ,.. 4 CMSI was the only bidder that met the qualifications. Mr. Bill Crow, 1920 Main St., Irvine, representative from CMSI Company, answered questions from Council related to bidding that provides these types of law enforcement /computer services. Mr. Buddy Bell, also a representative from CMSI Company, described the services his company offers, including providing an assistance manager on site that will support the computer systems in the Police Department. In response to Council Member /Commissioner Boggs questions, he explained further services provided including having access to other resources located in Southern California. He also discussed the resulting improvement to the computer dispatch system, citing time analysis reports, alarm permits, Neighborhood Watch information, and statistical reports to improve management in the Department. He offered a tour of the City of Orange Law Enforcement Computer Program established by CMSI which Council/Commission accepted. Mr. Caton explained the Downey Police Officers' Association has expressed their opposition to this added system support; therefore, he recommended continuance of this item to the regular budget study meetings. Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton requested more time to review the contract. '�"`` City Council /Comm. Dev. Minutes - 1/21/92 (Adj.) -3- chA7.1 It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Cormack, seconded by Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton, and unanimously carried by the Council Members/ Commissioners present, to continue consideration of this item to the regular scheduled budget study meetings. Prior to the foregoing vote, Mr. Gary McCaughan, 7918 8th St., expressed concern with the amount of money used for inoperable police equipment and requested Council seriously consider authorizing any further expenditures in this area. Mr. Lennie Whittington, 8542 Manatee St., stated he understood that Mr. Ray Sanders, who sold the computer equipment to the Police Department, was to train officers on the equipment in 1990. He mentioned conversations he had with several people stating how difficult it was to use this equipment; he hoped money was not being spent on training officers to use inferior equipment. He commented that the utility users tax was to be used for increased police officer positions. Council Member /Commissioner Boggs requested a report be returned regarding the status of computers purchased and those in use at the Police Department. ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTIONS 6127 AND 6128 OF THE D0WNEY MUNICIPAL CODE ORDINANCE 255 - ROOM TAX Mr. Powell summarized the staff report, noting the Ordinance increases the current tax rate from 8% to 9 %, resulting in a revenue increase of $72,000 per year. Also, exemption from the tax will be restored for all federal and state employees while on official business in an effort to attract their business in Downey. The Ordinance was read by title only. It was moved by Council Member Cormack, seconded by Council Member Brazelton, and unanimously carried by the Council Members present to waive further reading and introduce. Prior to the foregoing vote, Mr. Fernando Wang, 9565 Firestone Blvd., expressed dismay that small hotels were not notified of this increase. He requested all hotels in Downey be notified of the proposed change and noted the hardships endured by his business during these difficult economic times. Mayor Hayden discussed the procedures for adopting an Ordinance and advised all hotels will receive notification. Hotel room prices and taxes were discussed. Ms. Jan Tannyhill, 11919 Pomering Rd., supported the increase in the transient occupancy tax but expressed opposition to the federal and state employee exemption clause. Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton questioned the problems that might result from reinstating the exemption. Mr. Caton explained the incentive caused by the exemption would encourage state and federal employees to stay in Downey and spend their money at Downey stores and restaurants, thereby creating revenue for the City. City Council /Comm. Dev. Minutes - 1/21/92 (Adj.) -4- ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 9 7 3 Mr. Lennie Whittington, 8542 Manatee St., requested important matters be placed on a regular Council Meeting agenda. Mr. Neville Kilpatrick, 8117 5th St., supported the Police Department and questioned the amount of inoperable police vehicles. Mayor /Chairman Hayden referred this matter to staff. OTHER BUSINESS - COUNCIL MEMBERS /COMMISSIONERS: Mayor /Chairman Hayden requested an analysis of the level of service and cost of maintaining our Police Department be returned for discussion on a future agenda. Mayor /Chairman Hayden announced the meeting will recess to closed session (5 :57 p.m.) to discuss the following Section of the Government Code; 54956.8 - real property negotiations: 8206 E. Third Street Property owner: Community Development Commission Council Member /Commissioner Brazelton abstained from the remainder of the meeting due to a potential conflict of interest. The meeting reconvened at 6:15 p.m. with Council Members /Commissioners Cormack, Boggs, and Hayden present (Counci1 Member /Commissioners Brazelton and Carter absent) . ADJOURNMENT: 6:15 p.m. . .'Judith E. McDonnell City Clerk Barbar.f . ' . . en, Mayor �""'� City Council/Comm. Dev. Minutes - 1/21/92 (Adj.) -5-