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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-06-04-79-Adjourned Regular Meetingr-r MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETINC JUNE 4, 1979 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., June 4, 1979, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Kenneth J. Miller presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Milton R. Mackaig Theodore H. Jackman Mayor Pro Tem Lyell W. Swearingen William L. Greene Kenneth J. Miller Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindei, Director of Community Development Ronald W. Leege, Director of Finance John T. Neavill, Director of Parks & Recreation William F. Martin, Police Chief Don Davis, Fire Chief Ruth Miller, City Librarian F. D. Shade, Captain, Police Department John H. Saunders, Personnel Officer Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Miller introduced former Mayor and Councilman, Richard M. Jennings, who delivered an invitation and announcement of a Preo_aredness Seminar and Food Fair to be held on Friday, June 8, 1979, by the Downey First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 10511 Paramount Boulevard, Downey. Mayor Miller announced the study session for the Downey Municipal Budget for Fiscal Year 1979-80. The first item was the City Clerk's Budget. After completion of the City Clerk Budget review, Councilman Mackaig announced he will not vote for the Budget in its present form. He wcquld prefer to cut ten percent out of this Budget, and any cut would be at the discretion of the City Manager and the Department Head. Mr. Thompson proceeded to explain the Legislative Budget as it applies to the City Clerk, City Council, and City Attorney. He reviewed the line items and also explained the appropriation procedure and the bidding procedure for the approved Capital Outlay items. The medhanics of the estimated and budgeted figures were reviewed. The possibility of isolating the election budget into a separate program was mentioned. Discussion followed regarding Travel Expense (BR-4) request for City Council Members. Mr. Thompson cautioned that this account takes into consideration the unexpected trips sometimes necessitated by legislative actions. Mr. Saunders said the City Council Budget (1110) line item for Travel and Meetings should now read $7,400, and the item for Professional and Technical Service Fees should read $6,000. Councilman Jackman requested Mr. Saunders to render a report on Printing and Binding costs. Discussion ensued on Council Budget item for Equipment Depreciation. Councilman Jackman prefers more details regarding the Budget line items. Councilman Greene commented that the Budget is difficult to comprehend. Mr. Leege explained the manner for amortizing equipment and funding of the Reserve for Depreciation. Mayor Miller recessed the meeting for dinner break from 6:12 p.m. to 6:35 p.m. The meeting resumed with all Council Members present. Chief Martin commented on the activities within the Police Budget in items of controlled percentages which is Operating Services at 2.8 percent and operating Materials at 1.4 percent. Discussion was held regarding the size of Police vehicles and fuel,consumption. In an effort to realize greater recovery on vehicles slated for trade-in, Chief Martin indicated an attempt to dispose of Police vehicles at public bid has not measured up to trade-in allowances. Councilman Jackman would like a survey to see what the cities are using for patrol cars. He would be curious to know how many are using a smallar car. Councilman Swearingen agrees with the use of larger cars for policemen in view of the fatigue factor. Councilman Jackman would like to see a survey on all City cars, including in- -- formation on possible carpool system. The only vehicles assigned to personnel would be Police and Fire Chiefs and City Manager. Discussion followed regarding small automobiles. The City Manager and Police Chief will prepare a report on small passenger automobiles. Chief Davis reviewed the Budget for Fire Department, which reflects a 2.3 percent increase over the 1978-79 Budget. A discussion was held regarding costs of fire hoses and sizes of the fire hose for use in long-range plan. Chief Davis also reported on the expected useful life of the fire trucks. Councilman Mackaig inquired where $25,000 to $50,000 could be cut from the Fire Budget. Chief Davis replied the only place to cut from would be "people." Councilman Greene commented that reducing personnel in the Fire Department could possibly jeopardize the City's Class III rating and the Fire Department's Class II B.I.A. rating. Mr. Leege reviewed the personnel increase requirements for the Finance Department and the plan for offsetting the additional costs. He then reviewed the operational activities of 1979-80 and the reasons for publishing financial reports as a means of assuring satisfactory bond ratings. Discussion ensued regarding Travel and'Meeting Expenses Councilman Jackman requested a breakdown of Travel and Meeting Expense summary sheets for all departments. He then voiced his appreciation to the fact that the Budget reflects an anticipated surplus for the 1978-79 Fiscal Year. Councilman Swearingen inquired as to the function of the new position of Auditor in the Finance Department. Mr. Leege responded the duties will include external auditing of City con- tracts, reviewing business license applications, assisting in the implementation of new financial systems, and aiding in the preparation of the annual Financial Report. Future plans call for the installation of an optical scanner system and lock box for receiving and recording water consumer payments at the bank. The new system is essential to offset the loss of CETA personnel now performing this volume of work. Discussion followed concerning the Animal Control (SEAACA) prorated computer costs for accounting services performed by the City. Also mentioned was a request - by the City of Commerce for the Downey computer division to enter into a separate agreement for handling animal control accounting services. Councilman. Greene announced the resignation of his appointee to the Traffic Committee. His recommended replacement is Mr. Ben Henn, and the appointment is to he effective immediatelv. It was so ordered by unanimous consent of the Council to approve the appoint- ment of Mr. Ben Henn to the Traffic Committee. Council Minutes 6/4/79 (adj.) -2- Mr. Thompson spoke regarding potential impacts of the Gann Initiative. He will have a report containing what action must be taken by the City Council prior to June 30th. Mr. Thompson then reported he contacted the Hospital to request information prior to June 12th Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m. He said this scheduled meeting appears to be indefinite at the moment pending further direction from the Hospital Executive Committee. At 8:00 p.m., the meeting was adjourned to 5:00 p.m., June 5, 1979, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall. Robert L. thand, Cltv Clerk -Treasurer r � Kenneth J. Mi e , Mavor Council Minutes 6/4/79 (adj.) -3-