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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-06-05-79-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 5, 1979 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., June 5, 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 Spindel, Director of Community Development Ronald Leege, Director of Finance John T. Neavill, Director of Parks & Recreation John H. Saunders, Personnel Officer Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Study Session on City of Downey Budget for Fiscal Year 1979-80 Mr. Spindel presented the Public works Budget. Charts were distributed to the Council to assist in describing the Physical Services Division (General Fund portion) Budget. A decrease in the number of personnel to be requested for the coming fiscal year is anticipated due to more efficient use of personnel and equipment. The Physical Services and Water Divisions will be combined into one division to be tentatively called the Maintenance Services Division. Councilman Greene inquired regarding future planning and the heavy cost of gasoline and asphalt. Mr. Spindel replied an increase in Gasoline Tax has been advocated for several years to meet advancing costs in petroleum base products. The service proposed in the new Budget is the same level as for 1978-79. Mr. Thompson commented the only alternative for asphalt paving material is the use of Portland cement concrete. Discussion followed regarding advantages of increased Gasoline Taxes. Mr. Spindel recommended the Gasoline Tax be indexed to the cost of gasoline. Councilman Jackman commented that perhaps now is the time to generate in- terest at the League level to advocate such a change in the Gasoline Tax formula. Mayor Miller inquired how much Sales Tax on gasoline goes into the State General Fund. Mr. Thompson explained the distribution of Sales Tax percentage receipts by the State. It was moved by Councilman Mackaig, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by the following vote to authorize the Mayor to campaign at the League of California Cities for a greater sharing of the additional Sales Tax revenues that have been generated. Councilman Mackaig also authorized the City Manager to furnish the proper documents to Mayor Miller and to send a letter to State Senator Campbell and Assemblyman Young, as well as the League, advising them of the Council's wishes. AYES: 5 Council Members: Mackaig, Jackman, Swearingen, Greene, Miller Mr. Spindel continued with the Budget presentation and explained the point rating system for the slurry seal program. He then explained a plan for enabling the upgrading of excavation repair permit fees by resolution so as to charge utility companies and contractors at a rate commensurate with current costs. It will be necessary to revise the ordinance so as to allow for necessary changes by Council Minutes 6/5/79 (adj.) -1- __:.,,.e„ C005 resolution. There are no new items in Physical Services Capital Outlay. There will be requests for replacements of equipment, including an aerial tower and rebuilding a street sweeper. Mr. Spindel then presented the Water Division Budget. Funds 51 and 54 will barely break even on revenue versus expenditures on the improved Capital Improve- ments and Depreciation Reserve. The staff is on a plan to gradually equalize the water rates between the systems over a five to ten year period. This year, the Council will be asked to consider a slight increase in the Downey Water Fund, along with a plan to equalize it. Service connection fees will be revised by ordinance change. Such changes will be recommended by Council by resolution in- stead of by ordinance. Discussion followed regarding district water rate differentials. The amount of $6,300 in Capital Outlay is requested for Fund 54 to acquire new equipment for outfitting a truck purchased in the current year Budget. Mayor Miller recessed the meeting for a dinner break from 6:00 p.m. to 6:28 p.m. The meeting resumed with all Council Members present. Mr. Spindel presented the Community Development Budget through the use of graphic charts. Estimated Building & Safety revenues will be approximately $87,000 above the current year receipts. Plan Check Fees will vary in accordance with evaluation of projects. A discussion was held regarding the latest costs of construction projects estimated man-hour requirements, and extent of remaining CETA personnel. Mr. Spindel said it may be necessary to engage engineering consultants dur- ing the year to assist with projects, and this would be charged to the Gas Tax Fund. No new programs or new positions are projected in the Engineering Budget. Curb and gutter repair has been eliminated from the Engineering Budget. Sweeping is done every two weeks, except during autumn leaf season. Mr. Spindel explained an increase in Planning fees is recommended and could be done by resolution. The fees compare with ten surrounding cities. Building & Safety Capital Outlay Budget includes replacement of six automobile radio units with six page units at $900 annual maintenance costs and $5,000 in original capital outlay. The Ozalid printer in Engineering is to be replaced. A recondi- tioned reader -printer is to be purchased to replace the existing worn unit. Mr. Neavill presented the Parks & Recreation Budget aided by Summary Department Organization Charts. An increased workload is anticipated on the improvement program, which will involve State funding and improvements at the Golf Course. The parks are in need of rehabilitation. The crews are'using the older equipment essentially for maintenance. The medians are being kept on a status -quo basis. It is indicated that the inventory of fertilizer, insecticides, gardening tools, etc., will have to be replenished. The Recreation Budget has increased primarily in staff services. The Theatre Budget is reduced $93,000. There remains a $15,000 rental fund charge for which the City will be reimbursed. Overall, with the exception of the Golf Course, there is a reduction of $64,680 in the Parks Budget. Personnel costs reflect a reduction in view of the Theatre contractual services. Discussion followed regarding Parks & Recreation Equipment Rental Fund. A new item is a $4,000 man -lift for tree trimming and replacing lights in the parks. Operating equipment includes a steam cleaner for servicing small equip- ment. The Theatre custodial position is being transferred to the Apollo Center and the Theatre clerical position has been absorbed by part-time help. Mr. Neavill reviewed the Human Services Budget for the Apollo Park Neighborhood Center. He recommended adding one custodial position (transfer from Theatre). The Budget increases are for Material and Equipment Rental Fund. Mr. Saunders explained the change in the'CETA system to be effective after September 30, 1979. New CETA employees on the program after September 30th will serve for a reduced pay rate. Councilman Mackaig would like to see the Neighborhood Center leases renegotiated at the current rate. Councilman Jackman commented on a trend, whereby citizens pay fees for services rendered by Parks & Recreation. Council Minutes 6/5/79 (adj.) -2- Mr. Neavill recommends updating the Neighborhood Center rental fees from the present 20C per square foot. Mr. Neavill then presented the Golf Course Budget, which represents a $95,680 increase (17%) over current year estimated budget, or $60,590 or 10e increase over current year. The major increase will be for the Zeke Avila maintenance agreement amounting to 14%. Services would include sprinkler maintenance, and the contract would be for three year intervals. A $327,000 bond indenture payment will be reflected as an outright expense. At the end of the fiscal year, the equity value would be capitalized onto the financial statement. Revenue is estimated at $730,000. Expenditure is estimated at $655,000, leaving a potential operating gain of $75,000. A discussion followed regarding procedure for starter's operation system. Mr. Neavill explained a recent audit indicated the system is satisfactory. Mr. Thompson presented the Non -Departmental Budget. Liability insurance shows a substantial increase. The City is pursuing a self-insurance plan of over a million dollars coverage at a premium cost of $135,000. There is now a $407,000 reserve. All cultural contracts will be excluded from the Budget. The Special Projects Fund serves as a contingency fund. Mr. Saunders reviewed the City Manager Budget. He indicated no new programs are requested. Discussion ensued regarding the City Manager's budgeted operational items, including advertising, printing/binding, staff development, and professional/ technical service fees. At 7:47 p.m., the meeting was adjourned to 5:00 p.m., June 11, 1979, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, for Budget Study Session. Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Ken eth J. Mil 1k Mayor Council Minutes 6/5/79 (adj.) -3-