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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-06-29-78-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 29, 1978 3692 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 3:00 p.m., June 29, 1978, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor William L. Greene presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Theodore H. Jackman Kenneth J. Miller Mayor Pro Tern Milton R. Mackaig Lyell W. Swearingen William L. Greene Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development Martin F. Wynne, Director of Finance John T. Neavill, Director of Parks & Recreation Edwin H. Wood, Fire Chief Ruth Miller, City Librarian G. Pete Stone, Captain, Police Department Lyle Wilkinson, Cattalion Chief Thomas Tincher, Housing & Human Services Coordinator Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Greene announced the purpose of the adjourned meeting is for Budget Study. He also announced he would take the Agenda out of order so as to dispense with the less cumbersome items prior to going into the Budget session. It was moved by Councilman Jackman, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and passed by unanimous vote to approve the Amendment to Joint Exercise of Powers Agree- ment for Southeast Area Animal Control Authority between the Cities of Norwalk, Pico Rivera, and Downey. The Council then discussed the City Liability Insurance Program. Councilman Jackman inquired if the self-insurance concept has been explored. Mr. Thompson said the need exists for catastrophy protection. He indicated he wants more time to study the self-insurance program. Discussion ensued. Councilman Jackman stated he would like to see the City approach the Independent Cities on this question. Mr. Thompson said he has already approached three members of the Independent Cities. The Council agreed to conduct a meeting on June 30th, at 1:00 p.m., in the office of the City Manager to discuss the City`s liability insurance. If possible, the Council would like the City Attorney to be present. Council Members Jackman, Miller, and Mackaig advised they will plan to be present at the meeting. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Mayor Greene, and passed by unanimous vote to hold an adjourned meeting at 1:00 p.m., June 30, 1978, in the office of the City Manager concerning the City°s liability insurance. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REGULATING USE OF OFFICE SPACE IN THE DOWNEY COMMUNITY THEATRE Councilman Swearingen said the purpose of the Resolution is to assist in the implementation of a program at the Downey Community Theatre. A discussion followed. Councilman Jackman commented this has nothing to do with the Budget session. Councilman Miller voiced reservations concerning the Resolution. Council Minutes 6/29/78 (adjourned) -1- The Resolution was read by title only reason for such a Resolution. A discussion was held regarding the It was moved by Councilman Jackman and seconded by Councilman Swearingen to waive further reading. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen and seconded by Councilman Mackaig to adopt the Resolution. AYES: 2 Council Members: Mackaig, Swearingen NOES: 3 Council Members: Jackman, Miller, Greene Failed. Mayor Greene extended appreciation and best wishes to Fire Chief Wood upon his retirement to take place on July 14, 1978. Each of the Council Members also ex- pressed their thanks to Chief Wood. Study Session on 1978-79 Municipal Budget Councilman Jackman indicated he would like to review the Budget from the beginning. Ms. Wynne reviewed the figures contained in the proposed Resolution. A discussion was held regarding retirement of employees, unfunded liability, Charter requirement for PERS affiliation, and the impact of Proposition 13 on financing the retirement program. Mr. Thompson gave a breakdown of the authorized employee positions on the City manning table and reviewed the number of fulltime positions abolished in the wake of the Proposition 13 initiative. Councilman Miller commented that in his study of the Budget, approximately $60,000 remains on the books for conversion of the Recreation Center building into office space. He inquired as to the whereabouts of the remaining amount of the original appropriation. Mr. Thompson explained that portion of the appropriation was used in the engineering studies for the Recreation Center building project. Councilman Miller inquired about the proposed restricted hours for operation of the Library and asked for the Council's opinion concerning the possibility of keeping the facility open on evenings during the school semesters. He said perhaps consideration could be given to keeping the Library open at least two additional nights a week. Councilman Jackman inquired if any word had been received as to the amount of money that would be forthcoming from Sacramento under the Proposition 13 surplus distribution formula. Mr. Thompson replied no word has been received --another month could possibly pass before the final amount is known. Councilman Miller then raised the question as to how many positions are being eliminated in the Downey Community Theatre. Mayor Greene also questioned how many people for custodian work will be re- located at the remodelled Park and Recreation facility. Mr. Neavill said this would be accomplished through a trade-off of staff assignments. Councilman Swearingen said he would like to see Mr. John Hume placed back into the Downey Community Theatre. He proposed the financing for this position could be accomplished by a five percent reduction of salaries of non -contractual personnel involving 33 employees. Councilman Miller commented this would be the equivalent of taxing the non - contractual staff five percent in order to employ a person. Mayor Greene questioned approving a five percent cut and then granting raises to the contractual City employees. Mr. Thompson said a possible misunderstanding exists as to the amount of money earned by managerial staff. He said it is not true that management personnel earn much more than the supervisors. Council Minutes 6/29/78 (adjourned) -2- LaU9� Councilman Jackman stated the Budget process has been one of making cuts, and now the Council is attempting to make a turn -around in an effort to put the Theatre Director back on the staff. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen and seconded by Councilman Mackaig to cut five percent of the salary of 33 managerial employees. Mr. Thompson rebutted the motion and warned the Council dire results could occur if salary inequities were allowed between contract and non -contract staff members. He said such an undertaking would not be in the best interest of the City. Councilman Swearingen commented that labor must be cut when necessary revenues cannot be raised. A brief discussion followed regarding the economics of labor costs and revenues. Mr. Thompson assured Councilman Swearingen that management would react unfavora- bly toward a proposed five percent salary cut. Fire Chief Wood said a salary reduction of this nature would precipitate a morale -breaking situation and would result in rank inequities. He suggested a salary analysis study be made first. AYES: 2 Council Members: Mackaig, Swearingen NOES: 3 Council Members: Jackman, Miller, Greene Failed. Councilman Mackaig indicated he would like to see money included in the Budget for the Chamber of Commerce and some consideration given to the co -sponsored groups. He proposed $7,000 be allocated to the Chamber of Commerce, and the remaining approved co -sponsored groups be limited to 25 percent of the 1977-78 base. This would include the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Downey Symphony, Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, Youth Band, Civic Chorus, and the Art Museum. No allocation would be made for the Southeast Coordinating Council. Councilman Mackaig said he would like to see a freeze on all hiring with no exceptions, unless approved by Council. Such a plan would be on a 30-day review basis. Councilman Miller indicated the City Charter spells out the authority of the City Manager regarding such matters. Mr. Thompson responded by saying no hiring would take place unless absolutely necessary. He also added that when an opening does occur, it is automatically checked for the possibility of not rehiring any replacement. Mayor Greene called for further discussion on the Chamber of Commerce allocation for 1978-79. Councilman Jackman asked for comments on the Sister City Committee. He said some of the Committee members feel that the program has run its course, and he would be receptive to considering $7,000 for the Chamber of Commerce because of the ser- vices it renders. Councilman Miller feels that any payments to the Chamber of Commerce would be an insult because its function is to render service to the community. He would prefer to see no moneys allocated to the Chamber. It was moved by Councilman Mackaig, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and passed by the following vote to appropriate $7,000 for the Downey Chamber of Commerce. AYES: 4 Council Members: Jackman, Mackaig, Swearingen, Greene NOES: 1 Council Member: Miller Councilman Swearingen asked if the staff could check the co -sponsored group allocations and have the figures brought back for further consideration. Councilman Mackaig said the figure of 25 percent is arbitrary. It was moved by Mayor Greene, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by the following vote to handle the 1978-79 co -sponsored agreement allocations on a zero base procedure. AYES: 3 Council Members: Jackman, Miller, Greene NOES: 2 Council Members: Mackaig, Swearingen Councilman Miller inquired regarding future status of the Downey Community Theatre and use by the School District. Council Minutes 6/29/78 (adjourned) -3- 095 Mr. Thompson explained the City has a contract with the schools, and it will be necessary to meet with the School and Recreation Committee regarding this matter. It was moved by Councilman Jackman and seconded by Mayor Greene to adopt the Municipal Budget for 1978-79 Fiscal Year with recommended changes. RESOLUTION NO. 3576 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 1978-79 BUDGET WITH IMPLEMENTING DOCUMENTS The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Jackman and seconded by Councilman Miller to waive further reading. It was moved by Councilman Jackman, seconded by Councilman Miller, and passed by the following vote to adopt Resolution No. 3576, as amended. AYES: 3 Council Members: Jackman, Miller, Greene NOES: 2 Council Members: Mackaig, Swearingen At 5:20 p.m., it was moved by Councilman Mackaig and seconded by Councilman Swearingen to adjourn the meeting to 1:00 p.m., June 30, 1978, in the office of the City Manager, to discuss General Liability Insurance Program. Robert L. Shand,, City Clerk -Treasurer William L. Greene, Mayor Council Minutes 6/29/78 (adjourned) -4-