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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-05-18-76-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MAY 18, 1976 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., May 18, 1976, in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Hazel N. Scotto presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: William L. Greene Richard M. Jennings Kenneth J. Miller Theodore H. Jackman Hazel N. Scotto ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindel,Director of Community Development Richard D. Patton, Director of Finance John H. Saunders, Administrative Analyst Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer t for Fiscal Year 1976-77 City Manager Thompson commented on the Non -Departmental Budget. Emphasis was placed upon the public Liability insurance cost. Finance Director Patton emphasized the high cost of liability insurance. Councilman Jennings inquired whether or not the Youth Band has been removed from the Budget. Mr. Thompson said yes, the item has been withheld. He stated present indications are that the Youth Band will be discontinued. Mr. Thompson explained the details on the cultural contracts. Councilman Jennings inquired about the $25,000 appropriation for undesigna- ted items. Mr. Thompson commented that this is classified as "Special Projects Account" and the amount proposed for a new budget is $5,000. He said this money is made available for undesignated items that are presented for considerations during the fiscal year such as "Meals on Wheels". Councilman Greene asked for information on organizations that raise money on their own behalf for supporting activities. Mr. Thompson said the Symphony Orchestra solicits private money in addition to funds provided by the County. He mentioned the Historical Society has few revenues and that the City provides housing for the Historical Society museum. The Mixed Chorus presents two programs per year in the Downey Theatre and the Art Museum receives some revenue from the County. Councilman Jackman asked if the Mixed Chorus performances are free of charge to the public. Mr. Thompson replied yes. Councilman Greene asked if it is possible for the Downey Symphony to levy a flat $1.00 admission charge. Discussion then followed, wherein the City Manager explained the joint participation with the Symphony using union musicians augmented by skilled musicians from the community. Discussion continued on various items within the Non -Departmental Budget, including pre -employment physical examinations, professional fees Levied for outside service, and cost of utilities for operating City buildings. Mr. Patton presented the Finance Department Budget. One License Inspector position is being eliminated. The new Animal Control program will produce approxi- mately $10,000 per year revenue. The Finance Department is experiencing additional workloads in view of the various grant programs that require filing of reports. Council Minutes 5/18/76 (Adjourned) -1- Mayor Scotto asked what would happen if the grant programs were dropped inso- far as staffing expenses are concerned. Mr. Thompson replied that $35,000 worth of staff costs are not reflected on the payroll. Discussion followed regarding the method for granting salary raises to City employees. Mr. Thompson explained the existing probationary system and the 52 percent increments leading to the final Step E level. He then explained the longevity program. -- Mr. Patton commented on the revenue decreases in the Licensing Division and described a program, wherein City Firemen could be used to enforce the various license requirements of the City's ordinance. Mr. Terry Middlebrooke would super- vise license collections. Councilman Greene commented on the inability of the City to enforce certain Downey Municipal Code ordinances. Mayor Scotto asked for a review of the Computer Service Program, wherein other cities share in the City of Downey computer operation. She further re- quested that all grant fund items be clearly outlined in the Budget. Councilman Miller called for discussion on collection of dog license fees and the utilization of CETA employees for this function. Councilman Jennings asked what would be the difference in cost for management staffs versus a revised title such as "accountant", et al, insofar as salary differentials are concerned. Councilman Greene also commented on this matter and inquired about the fringe benefits for managerial personnel within the Finance Department divisions. Mr. Thompson said comparison reports indicate that the divisions within the Finance Department are low in comparison to payment of managers in other cities. Councilman Jackman requested a current list of personnel including the tasks and individual earnings of each employee. Mayor Scotto inquired about the status of the senior citizen bus service. She commented that grants have been received, wherein senior citizens had to wait as long as four days for a ride on the senior citizen bus. She inquired if installation of a radio on the bus would improve services. Administrative Analyst Saunders replied that the grant money would be inadequate for financing a radio in the bus. He added that the current grant runs until October 31, 1976. Mr. Thompson said the program is eligible for continuation in that CETA employees will continue to operate the buses until October 31, 1976. Mayor Scotto commented the outlook for County financing of buses is encouraging. Mr. Thompson said there is no guarantee of County coverage and if the bus financing program fell down it could possibly result in a $60,000 out-of-pocket cost by the City. - Discussion followed regarding the cost of two-way radios and maintenance. Mayor Scotto commented that the senior citizen bus service doubled in other cities using radios in the buses. She requested a report on the buses to include the number of passengers and requested services. Community Development Director Spindel explained the handicapped people have been inquiring about the bus service. (Handicapped people currently do not qualify for bus service.) Mayor Scotto inquired if the second bus could be made available for the handicapped people. Mayor Scotto brought up the question regarding a communications radio in- stallation for the City Manager's automobile. Council Minutes 5/18/76 (Adjourned) -2- 1541 The next item for discussion was the Capital Improvement Budget. Mr. Thompson explained that certain Library requests were deleted from the Budget. Councilman Jackman inquired about the leave time percentage rate and its application within the Budget. Mr. Patton explained how the leave time percentage rate is established. Discussion was held regarding application of "additives" within the salary reporting system so as to be properly reflected in the Program Budget. Further discussion continued regarding temporary personnal and overtime in the Finance Department. Mr. Patton commented that the overtime for the coming fiscal year will be lower. Mayor Scotto again inquired about a communications radio for the City Manager's automobile. Mr. Spindel commented that he will be removing three communication radios from service. Mayor Scotto said she would like to see more thought directed toward install- ing a radio in the City Manager's automobile. The Human Services Budget was discussed. Mr. Thompson outlined the Youth Employment Service functions, as well as the Drug Counseling Service. He said the Youth Employment Service volume is increasing. Discussion then commenced on the Capital Improvement Program. Councilman Jennings commented the City could possibly have $1,032,000 "in the bank" if it was not allocated for the proposed Capital Improvement Program. He referred to the following items for possible deletion: Library Project, $757,825. Golf Course Parking Lot - Approximately $14,000 instead of $65,000. Sidewalk Matching Funds - Appropriate $10,000 instead of $20,000. Delete the Imperial Highway Beautification appropriation of $14,000. Delete $10,000 for proposed "Dump Sites". Councilman Jennings said the reason for deleting the Library expansion program at this time is because of the Lack of a master plan for the Civic Center Develop- ment Program. He stated the savings realized through the proposed reduction would eliminate the need to impose a 10c Library Improvement Tax. Councilman Miller then proposed reclarifying the Library as a culture/recreation program. Councilman Jackman said perhaps the Library should be changed from a No. 5 priority to a No. 1 priority project. Councilman Greene proposed a blue ribbon committee to study the Library expansion situation. Mrs. Catherine Walker, 10270 Branscomb Street, spoke regarding requests for a liaison committee for the Library Improvement Program. She said the committee has source data that would possibly relieve the Council of any indecisions regarding the Library program. She indicated she would be willing to assist on a liaison committee. Mayor Scotto delegated Councilmen Miller and Jackman to assist on the Library Liaison Committee. Mr. Thompson agreed that a master plan is still in order. Councilman Greene concurred with Mayor Scotto regarding the services of Councilmen Miller and Jackman on the Library committee. Mr. Paul Spothelfer, 9708 Haledon Avenue, was called upon to explain the "turn key" construction method that would be applicable to develop a civic center, wherein a general contractor would provide consulting and engineering services and then proceed to complete construction of a civic center complex on a one -contract basis. Councilman Jennings was excused at 8:05 p.m. He said he will submit his recommendations for the Council Budget at the May 25th study meeting. Council Minutes 5/18/76 (Adjourned) -3- Mr. Thompson proposed study for a general master plan within the range of $15,000 to $25,000 that would include site plans, parking areas, square footage, and alternatives. Councilman Greene requested that the City staff come back to Council with an estimate of the cost for the study of a master plan. Agreed and so ordered by the Mayor. Cn. Greene inquired if the Community Development Director could cut back anymore on the street paving program. Mr. Spindel commented the program has been cut down as much as possible. Mr. Thompson mentioned the date for the joint meeting between the School Board and City Council is May 27th at 5:00 p.m. in the Greene Room of the Downey Theatre. Mr. Thompson explained the Carley Porter Assembly Bill for Leasing Freeway right-of-way for park use. The then reviewed the Culture/Recreation Capital Improvement Projects. Mayor Scotto presented a volunteer program and said she would like to know what volunteer workers could do in the various City departments. Mr. Thompson said one of the first things to be considered would be liability insurance coverage for the volunteer workers. Discussion then followed regarding Workmen's Compensation. The City Manager will report back to the Council regarding insurance for volunteer workers. Councilman Greene said he favors a service group fund-raising program to help defray costs for the Library Improvement Program. Mayor Scotto requested the staff to contact Huntington Beach and inquire how their volunteer worker insurance program is administered. Mr. Thompson said he will endeavor to have a "volunteer" report submitted to Mayor Scotto prior to the May 25, 1976, Budget study session. Mr. Thompson also requested input from the Council Members regarding any pro- posed Budget cuts. He asked that this information be made available so as to lead into the May 25th study session meeting. He also stated that the Water Program and Zoning Program still needs to be discussed at the study session. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Haz N. Scotto, Mayor Council Minutes 5/18/76 (Adjourned) -4-