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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-05-27-80-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MAY 27, 1980 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:00 p.m., May 27, 1980, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Theodore H. Jackman presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Lyell W. Swearingen Milton R. Mackaig Mayor Pro Tem James T. Quinn Robert G. Cormack Theodore H. Jackman Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager William A. Ralph, Director of Public Works Ronald W. Leege, Director of Finance John T. Neavill, Director of Parks & Recreation William F. Martin, Police Chief F. D. Shade, Police Captain James Jarrett, Recreation Superintendent Jim Child, Park Maintenance Superintendent John H. Saunders, Personnel Officer Thomas Tincher, Housing & Redevelopment Coordinator Joseph Nix, Manager of Revenue Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Study Session on City of Downey Budget for Fiscal Year 1980-81 The Revenue portion of the Budget was presented. Mr. Nix displayed charts showing the City's revenue for the past five years. He discussed the item -by - item forecast of revenues, which takes into account the State's projections, and noted increases in Sales Tax; Business License Tax; building related permits; fines and forefeitures; State Motor Vehicle fees; planning service fees; and miscellaneous reimbursements. Overall in the General Fund, a 5.5 percent increase in revenue is anticipated this year. An 18 percent decline is expected in Federal Revenue Sharing. There is an anticipated 18.7 percent increase for street light- ing and 1.2 percent Gas Tax increase. This year, the Capital Projects Fund includes revenue for sale.of the Heliport site, and next year a retroactive allocation of the City's 1978-79 Property Tax revenues. There is an 18.7 percent increase projected for utilities. The Golf Course takes into account rainy weather. Park F, Southern California Water projected increase of 1.5 percent due to an increase in water consumption. Mr. Thompson reviewed the General Fund analysis showing the current revenue estimated at $14,317,310 with $729,400 transferred from the Gas Tax Fund and $600,000 from General Revenue Sharing, for a total of $15,646,710. Adding an estimated opening balance of $600,000, there would be $16,246,710. The operating programs presented in the Budget total $15,551,550, leaving an estimated fund balance at the end of next year (1981) of $695,160. These programs include the necessary reserve for the City's self-insurance program. Mayor Jackman asked about the schedule for repayment of loans for the Redevelopment Agency and SEAACA. Mr. Leege replied the loan is to be repaid to the Redevelopment Agency when funds are available. Part of the loan to SEAACA was based on and using CETA employees. Discussion followed regarding Redevelopment Agency loans. Councilman Swearingen asked if Revenue Sharing is a sure thing this coming year. Mr. Thompson responded it is in the present Budget and Congress is consider- ing whether States should still be included. It appears the Revenue Sharing Program would remain in, dependant on approval by Congress. Mayor Jackman questioned the effect if Revenue Sharing Funds were cut off. Council Minutes 5/27/80 (adj.) -1- Mr. Thompson said 'here would be almost no effect and explained Revenue Sharing Funds have been used totally for capital improvements to date. The City would not have to change its operating programs. Chief Martin reviewed the Police Department Budget totaling $5,507,620. Charts were displayed of the four summary programs consisting of field operations, investigations, services, and administration. The Freeway corridor is included in the Police Department Budget even though the moneys are reimbursed by the State. Chief Martin pointed out that 85 percent of the Police Department Budget goes for police officers' salaries and support staff. The next Largest expenditure is 11.2 percent for equipment rental; 2.3 percent for operating services; and the rest for operating materials. Chief Martin commented on the attempts being made at the present time to have payment for ambulance services transferred to the County. Chief Martin then discussed the Budget increases this year over last year. There is an increase in personal services and operating materials; a decrease in operating services; an increase in equipment rental; the total overall depart- mental budget is increased $605,560, or a 12.35 percent increase over last year's Budget. Deleting the expense for the Freeway corridor, which is reimbursed by the State, the increase would be 7.98 percent over last year's Budget. A discussion was held regarding the Police Department Budget for film and processing. Chief Martin pointed out that skyrocketing costs have created dramatic increases in film and processing. Chief Martin is proposing a $700 budget item for the Explorer Scouts, which will be offset by the Scouts taking fingerprints and will givethem an opportunity to earn their own way while gaining experience in the law enforcement field. Chief Martin commented on the increase for equipment rental, particularly with regard to Police vehicles,and weapons. Councilman Mackaig requested information concerning damage costs for Police vehicles. Chief Martin discussed the current status of Police personnel, noting the employment is down six employees at the present time, with one short in the Detective Bureau and five patrol officers. Mr. Neavill presented the Parks & Recreation Budget, pointing out that Theatre maintenance is being added. An effort will be made to retain services even though it is known funds will be short. He discussed the employee positions, in the Park Department, including one employee for maintenance of the Theatre. Also proposed is 40 percent sharing of the Administrative Assistant position in the Public Works Department. Mr. Neavill commented on the number of staff in the Park Department per year since 1970, showing that the number has been increased due to the Theatre and acquisition of the Golf Course and taking over maintenance of the street medians. As a result of Proposition 13, there was a reduction in park staff of approximately 65 percent. This year there is a request for three new positions in parks and a maintenance position at the Theatre. Mr. Neavill then discussed additions to the Budget with the opening of Independence Park and providing maintenance of the Theatre. There is an increase in equip-aznt rental due to increased cost of gasoline and vehicle maintenance. Mr. Neavill said the Golf Course Budget is up slightly, but it is anticipated the revenue will take care of the projected costs of operation. The Human Services portion of the Budget includes all of the programs at Apollo Park Neighborhood Center, youth employment services, and volunteer coordinating services. $1,285,950 is the total Park Department Budget, and this amount will be offset by approximately $85,000 in revenue, making the net cost to the taxpayers of $1,200,000, not including rentals from Apollo Neighborhood Center. Mr. Neavill described major changes in the Budget is one maintenance worker for Wilderness Park, and one maintenance worker for Independence Park, of which both positions would be needed only the last half of the next fiscal year; one maintenance worker in the construction maintenance division for six months. The, Manager of Administrative Services position is being deleted. The total personnel budget increase is $90,360. Mr. Neavill commented on increases for operating materials; operating charges; equipment rental; and the addition of a new youth program. There is a broad Council Minutes 5/27/80 (adj.) -2- variety of recreation programs offered to the community, most of which generate some revenue for the City. He anticipated the park attendance at the end of this fiscal year will be over one million people, and there is a continual increase of park usage. It is the Park Department's goal to continue to provide the highest level of service at the lowest possible cost. A discussion was held regarding consideration of light meters for the tennis courts. Mayor Jackman declared a recess from 5:45 to 5:50 p.m. The meeting resumed with all Council Members present. Chief Martin explained the Police Department hiring prerequisite and recruitment system. The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Council Minutes 5/27/80 (adj.) -3-