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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-05-14-81-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MAY 14, 1981 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:00 p.m., May 14, 1981, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Milton R. Mackaig presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Lyell W. Swearingen Mayor Pro Tem James T. Quinn Robert G. Cormack Milton R. Mackaig Mayor ABSENT: Theodore H. Jackman (excused) ALSO PRESENT: Loren D. Morgan, Acting City Manager Ronald W. Leege, Director of Finance John T. Neavill, Director of Parks & Recreation Don Davis, Fire Chief William F. Martin, Police Chief Harry Rayson, Building Official F. D. Shade, Police Captain William Sumner, Fire Marshal Donald Wagner, Assistant to City Manager James Jarrett, Recreation Superintendent Jim Child, Maintenance Superintendent Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer RESOLUTION NO. 3961 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY REAFFIRMING ITS POSITION ON THE ROUTE I-105 FREEWAY IN THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND SUPPORTING GOVERNOR EDMUND G. BROWN, JR., IN HIS APPEAL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE FREEWAY AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen and seconded by Councilman Quinn to waive further reading and to adopt Resolution No. 3961 by the following vote: AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Study Session on City of Downey Budget for Fiscal Year 1981-82 Mr. Morgan reported on suggestions to consider in the construction of a new City Hall. One item is to provide additional office space as a possible source of new revenue and could be used for future expansion if necessary. 'Anticipated revenue would be $150,000 per year and possible front-end charges to the tenant on a payback system. The additional space would raise the construction price and re- quire increased bond sales. Mr. Morgan commented future expansion is indicated in view of the projected redevelopment program, Hometel development and Republic Development plans. At present, no plans have been included for expansion. All departments of the City are to be housed within the new City Hall. Any future expansion of 10,000 square feet would have to be in addition to the departmental floor space, either in the form of a second floor or separate wing. The Council authorized 10,000 square feet to be included in the new City Hall design for use as professional office space. Mr. Morgan reported on the possible construction of a new Library and using the existing building for housing a Cable TV studio or a community center building to replace the old unit slated for removal. He will also report back to Council with the cost for certain square footage for a Library building. With the aid of charts, Mr. Morgan reported a balanced City Budget is availa- ble with a projected ending balance on June 30, 1982, of $452,379, and the Budget includes a contingency for salaries calculated into the Budget prior to arriving at the ending balance. The ending balance for the 1981-82 fiscal year is projected at $2,100,000. The 1981-82 Budget appropriations are $17,228,411 as detailed on the chart. The proposed Budget reflects an increase of 9 percent over the 1980-81 Budget. He said 77 percent represents personnel expenditures. Council Minutes 5/14/81 (adj.) -1- go/ Mr. Leege presented information on the Revenue section of the Budget aided by charts. Mr. Morgan pointed out the various fund transfers which will go toward balanc- ing the Budget and represents a two percent increase over 1980-81. He suggested the Council consider additional sources of revenue similar to what other cities are doing. Reduction of personnel appears to have been done to the greatest extent. "Sin Tax," such as on entertainment, room tax, Utility Users Tax, benefits assess- ment district and municipal -home owners insurance for future revenue were mentioned as possible revenue sources. Mr. Leege explained each revenue source estimate for the new Budget through the use of charts. Investment earnings are at a peak because the City has more cash invested now than ever before, and interest earned on the cash investments is now the fourth largest source of revenue in the City. He reviewed the General Fund Analysis for 1981-82 and the fringe benefit transfers. The General Revenue Sharing Fund is estimated at $1,400,000. The Golf Course Fund is slightly breaking even after allowing for the annual bond indenture payment of $327,100. The Gas Tax Fund has an opening balance of $609,100. Current revenue from Gas Tax is $387,500. $500,000 will be transferred to the General Fund to apply to street maintenance. The Capital Projects Funds will have an estimated opening balance of $660,000 which includes $500,000 payment from Hometels. The Downey Water Fund reflects an esti- mated opening balance of $1,000,000 and a current revenue of $1,101,000. Chief Martin presented the Police Department Budget. Seven additional part-time employees are requested who will serve as crossing guards, inasmuch as the CETA program is no longer available for compensating crossing guards. As a new aid for Police operations, two trained police dogs are being requested. A major budget savings will be reflected in purchasing the Police Department copying machine instead of leasing same. The estimated saving is $6,500 next year. Also, due to improved gasoline mileage with the new vehicles, the Police Deparment esti- mates a savings of $3,000 per year on fuel costs. A discussion was held regarding possible use of civilian personnel to fill inside office jobs to relieve sworm Policemen for field duties. Chief Martin explained the current staffing of the Department by non -sworn personnel and commented on the Reserve force. Mr. Morgan said the Police budget is only 1.4 percent over the 1980-81 budget. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and passed by the following vote to approve the Police Department budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Councilman Cormack asked for discussion on incentive programs for recognizing austere budget preparations. The concensus of opinion was that such a program is possible. Chief Davis presented the Fire Department Budget through use of the standard budget forms (BR-1, etc.). The new budget reflects one-half of one percent in- crease over the current budget. The Department is requesting a Fire Education Specialist and a Fire Service Attendant and the reduction of one sworn Fire position. There would be no increase in personnel costs. The new fire insurance program will require education of the public in fire safety. This recommendation is also backed by the Fire Commission. Chief Davis outlined the functions of the Fire Department divisions. Discussion followed regarding Arson. It was noted that approximately $600,000 was lost last year through arson -originated fires. Fire Marshal Sumner spoke regarding the proposed Education Program as a means of reducing arson loss and minimizing fire losses. Mayor Mackaig inquired if the Fire Department had any situations where a civilian status employee could perform certain tasks now staffed by sworn Fire personnel. Chief Davis replied the roster of sworn Fire personnel cannot be reduced any more. It was moved by Councilman Quinn, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and passed by the following vote to approve the Fire Department budget. Council Minutes 5/14/81 (adj.) -2- AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Neavill presented the Parks & Recreation Budget using graphs and charts. He explained how various programs in local government can be compared to private enterprise in Parks & Recreation and in human interests. Mr. Neavill outlined the plans for the coming year that will include modernized park lighting, a change over to diesel power, use of rotary mowing equipment and upgrading the security system in an effort to reduce vandalism. Recommendations will be made to contract with private enterprise for certain programs. Under consideration is a program to provide community needs in a less costly manner for much needed park acreage, im- proved street medians, landscaping of areas adjacent to freeway sound barriers and a program to compensate for the eventual loss of the Firestone Recreation Center building and the gymnasium at the "Z" campus on Third Street. $100,000 has been removed from the requested budget. However, the budget is still up 10 percent. Park maintenance represents a problem and is up 13.8 percent over last year's budget, partly because of inflation and cost of materials. The Theatre operations cost has been reduced 1.8 percent and will be budgeted for $51,000. Cost of materials is due largely to higher prices for chemicals. Utilities have increased in rates. Recreation activities have increased because more people stay at home due to higher fuel costs. As a result, staff costs for administration have also increased. The Golf Course budget is a separate enterprise fund. The indication is a $50,000 profit for the coming year. This is due to increased green and cart fees and a greater volume on rounds. An 8 percent operations cost increase is included for the maintenance contractor, Zeke Avila. Vast changes are anticipated in the new Golf Pro contract. Some of the items in the Golf Operations budget include non -recurring outlay for capital outlay in the construction improvement program at the club house. Increased revenue is anticipated due to the improvements on the club house facilities. A discussion took place regarding the Golf Pro Shop contract now being negotiated. Mr. Morgan mentioned that of the $100,000 budget request reduction for Parks & Recreation, $42,000 was for personnel slated for maintaining medians and right-of- way under the responsibility of the Parks & Recreation Department. Mayor Mackaig commented on the possibility of seeking outside contract services for certain Parks & Recreation maintenance. He suggested the Council (and future Councils) take a long, strong look at such a program. Mayor Mackaig then reviewed the Theatre operation. Mr. Neavill said this year the operation should come out fairly close to breaking even. Mayor Mackaig recommended possible use of fewer, well maintained parks instead of having the present load of 12 parks and suggested possible closure of Brookshire Park which, he said, could be sold and placed back onto the tax roll, resulting in reduced maintenance costs. A discussion was held regarding greater revenue sources for the City, such as greater Sales Tax base generated by larger automotive sales and retail trade. Mr. Morgan said such action should be taken within the next year and a half. Councilman Quinn inquired if any revenue could be generated through Independence Park which is near the new Kaiser Medical facility. Mr. Neavill suggested possible use of the "adopt a park" concept, wherein major enterprises finance the maintenance of a park facility for a given period of time. Other parks considered for possible sale include Temple Park and Crawford Park. Mr. Neavill will investigate such an undertaking. Mr. Neavill presented the Council with a memo from the Recreation & Community Services Commission. The Parks & Recreation Budget will be acted on at the May 15th adjourned meeting. The meeting was then adjourned at 7:06 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., May 15, 1981, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall for continued Budget study. Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer 1. Milton R. Council Minutes 5/14/81 (adj.) -3-