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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-05-15-81-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MAY 15, 1981 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:15 p.m., May 15, 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 William A. Ralph, Director of Public Works Ronald W. Leege, Director of Finance John T. Neavill, Director of Parks & Recreation William A. Goggin, City Planner Harry Rayson, Building Official Harald J. Henriksen, City Engineer Charles G. Eccleston, Traffic Engineer James Jarrett, Recreation Superintendent Don Wagner, Assistant. _to City Manager Tom Johnson, Library to Services Greg Mayfield, Civil Engineer, Water Division Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Study Session on City of Downey Budget for Fiscal Year 1981-82 Mr. Neavill was called upon to answer any question of the Council regarding the Parks & Recreation Budget. Councilman Swearingen inquired regarding the possibility of closing Temple Park. Mr. Neavill said Temple Park was dedicated by a developer as part of a park in -lieu requirement the City has under the Quimby Act, wherein a developer must set aside a portion of land or pay an in -lieu fee for use in providing a park to benefit that portion of the neighborhood. A question would exist as to whether or not any proceeds for sale of the park would revert to the contractor or be re- tained by the City. This question would be based on a legal opinion. A question would also exist as to whether or not the sale proceeds would have to be used to benefit a park in an adjacent area. Mr. Neavill asked that consideration be given to a request by staff and the Recreation & Community Services Commission to reinstate $42,000 for the purpose of maintaining traffic medians. Two full-time maintenance employees would be re- quired for this task. He said staff is preparing cost figures, wherein part-time employees could possibly be used on the median maintenance program in an effort to minimize payroll expenditures. Outside contracting will also be calculated for maintaining the medians. Mr. Morgan said rather than asking for $42,000, which would involve two full-time employees, Mr. Neavill would rather recommend part-time employees, thus requiring a lower additive rate and would then command about half of $42,000. The amount of money, approximately $22,000, could be injected back at any time. Councilman Quinn suggested the Department of Parks & Recreation be instructed to evaluate all of the parks for any possible cuts in the ensuing year and then report back to the Council. Mr. Morgan pointed out the Council has already approved improvements at Independence and Wilderness Parks. The new budget includes anticipated costs for additional supervision for the improvements and additions. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and passed by the following vote to approve the Parks & Recreation Department Budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Council Minutes 5/15/81 (adj.) -1- 6S0� Mr. Ralph presented the Public Works Budget with the aid of charts. Various planned repairs were outlined for the street system. The sidewalk program is stable and only about one and a half years behind schedule, which is not to be con- sidered unusual. Temporary repairs are being made immediately with permanent repairs to be made later. Potholes will become a problem in the future as the pavement deteriorates. Street sweeping is programmed for every other week except in autumn and winter. The tree trimming and tree removal program is conducted on a liability pro- tection basis. Nothing is being done for aesthetics on the tree program. No tree trimming is done on a routine basis such as within the parks by the City crew. Such jobs, when necessary, are performed by tree trimming contractors. Mr. Ralph used charts for presenting the Water Budget. Utility company rate increases will increase service costs for the Water Division. The total overall budget shows a decrease of 2.8 percent for the Water Operating Budget. It was moved by Councilman Ccrmack, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and passed by the following vote to approve the Public Works Budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Henriksen presented the Engineering Division Budget with the aid of handout sheets. Requested personnel services has increased from the estimated 1980-81 figures by 3.4 percent and is due primarily to step increases in salaries. Materials have increased by 16.1 percent. Operating Services have increased by 21.8 percent due to increased request for slurry seal money from $40,000 up to $50,000 in an effort to keep pace with the breakdown of the surfacing on City streets. Equipment is up by 4.3 percent. Mr. Henriksen then presented a chart outlining the project costs for the coming fiscal year. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and passed by the.following vote to approve the Engineering Division Budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Eccleston, through the use of charts, presented the Traffic Division Budget. The overall budget for 1981-82 is 6 percent above 1980-81. It was moved by Councilman Quinn, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and passed by the following vote to approve the Traffic Division Budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Rayson presented Building & Safety Division Budget. A brochure was distributed. The budget is 11 percent over 1980-81 because two staff members formerly subsidized by HCD funds will be absorbed into the Division. Mr. Morgan pointed out HCD funds might possibly be available at a later date. Such money would be placed into the Building & Safety Budget account. Mr. Rayson explained plans for relocating staff personnel into different positions in the Division. He then reviewed the functions of the Division, point- ing out the various complaints such as cleaning up residential property containing unsightly junk, etc. Mr. Payson pointed out the revenue realized by the Building & Safety Division through building permits and plan checking fees. Mr. Morgan pointed out that more inspection personnel might possibly be necessary later in the year to handle the various development project which are presently on the drawing boards. Mr. Payson explained that if personnel is added, the Junior Inspector at the counter would be placed in the field, and a permit clerk would fill-in at the counter. He also pointed out that the Junior Building Inspector will be reclassified as Building Inspector, and this change is included in the Budget. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and passed by the following vote to approve the Building & Safety Division Budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Council Minutes 5/15/81 (adj.) -2- 9'i�_os Mr. Goggin reviewed the Budget request of the Planning Division. Anticipated increases, such as postage, are due to inflation. However, he said, savings in operations are indicated through the use of terminals to the computer for informa- tion retrieval. Most of the Budget consists of personnel. If the Housing Element is to be adopted by October and if HCD requires full attention, it will be necessary to increase staff by one Principal Planner and one student planner with the understanding that it might be necessary to request additional help later during the fiscal year. Mr. Goggin also cited the need for an ordinance by July, 1981, relating to specifications for "factory -built home units." This will re- quire adequate staffing in the Planning Division. It was moved by Councilman Cormack, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and passed by the following vote to approve the Planning Division Budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Tom Johnson, representing the City Librarian, presented the proposed Library Budget. He distributed data sheets and reviewed the objectives of the Library program over the past year. Mr. Johnson stated more service has resulted in view of the restoration of longer patron hours. More service increases are projected in view of the longer hours. The actual budget increase is 7.1 percent over the prior fiscal year. 67 percent of the budget is in terms of personnel. Plans call for a cooperative agreement with Santa Fe Springs library for the classification and cataloging of materials, which should control some of the spiraling costs of the technical services area. The goal is to reduce technical services costs by fiscal year 1982-83 in the amount of $12,500, or by 20 percent of the program. The long-range organization chart for the Library reflects eventual elimination of two full-time positions on the staff --one Senior Library Assistant and one Library Assistant, and 2,000 hours of part-time held would still be required. Councilman Cormack inquired if consideration is being given regarding Library expansion. Mr. Morgan replied a meeting is pending with the architect on Friday at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the necessary requirements to improve the Library facility. He also commented that whenever the City Librarian recommends and receives equipment capable of reducing the need for added personnel, the results are positive. It was moved by Councilman Cormack, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and passed by the following vote to approve the Library Budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Shand presented the City Clerk -Treasurer Division Budget aided by brochures distributed to the Council. Increases and decreases in 1981-82 opera- tion expenditures were reviewed. The only major increase in operating costs is for the 1982 Councilmanic election. No change in personnel is indicated. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Cormack, and passed by the following vote to approve the City Clerk -Treasurer Budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Leege presented the Finance Budget and noted 79 percent reflects personnel costs, 11 percent is for computer rental, and the remaining budget is for other charges, such as printing of the Budget, the Financial Report, paper stock, supplies and travel expense. He explained the staff situation in the Revenue Division, wherein a vacancy will exist at the Manager of Revenue's desk due to disability lease. Recruiting for an Accounting Supervisor is under way. Hiring of a Procurement Manager is anticipated within two weeks. Mr. Morgan commented regarding the circumstances of the Manager of Revenue position. Permission is requested to hire a person to fill the vacancy even though the Manager of Revenue is on disability. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Mayor Mackaig, and passed by the following vote to permit the Acting City Manager to hire a Manager of Revenue to replace Mr. Joe Nix. The base salary will be approximately $200 less than at present. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Council Minutes 5/15/81 (adj.) -3- 6 v 4, Mr. Leege continued with the Finance Budget presentation. He said the Department plans include modifications to the in-house Financial System for better control.. New software programs are planned for increasing computer efficiency. Plans exist to place the dog license applications onto a scanning system to stream- line handling in the Revenue Division. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and passed by the following vote to approve the Finance Department Budget. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Wagner presented the General Government Budget starting with the Legisla- tion section. Travel and meeting expenses have increased. Legal advice is up slightly. The City Manager's Budget shows an increase of 1/2 percent over last year and contains the Building Maintenance service (Custodian) costs. Mr. Morgan reported on a survey of costs for possible use of outside custodial contractors. Mr. Wagner said a decrease is reflected in liability insurance. $7,000 was included for the Chamber of Commerce. Discussion followed regarding the Chamber of Commerce allocation. The Council concluded that more money should be available in the Budget for the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Mackaig recommended that the Chamber of Commerce budget allocation be increased to $20,000 which is what was budgeted this year. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Cormack, and passed by the following vote to increase the Chamber of Commerce budget allocation to $20,000. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Wagner reported the SEAACA Animal Control Budget was approved. A discussion was held regarding the accounting system in use at SEAACA. A question exists regarding the need for an acceptable amortization of equipment method. Mr. Morgan said SEAACA is increasing each participating city's contract fee by 10 percent. The Emergency Services Budget is being increased by 10 percent. The increase reflects costs for the Family Disaster Preparedness Program. The City supports exhibits on disaster protection programs. Discussion followed regarding improvements in the programming of events involv- ing disaster preparedness. Councilman Swearingen would like to see more publicity for these programs. The Human Services Budget includes Youth Employment, Apollo Park Neighborhood Center, the Communicator, and volunteer program. Mayor Mackaig asked if these programs can be supplemented through service charges. Mr. Morgan replied the Youth Employment Service is starting a senior citizen program to find jobs for senior citizens. A report has been sent to the Council. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and passed by the following vote to approve the Legislative, City Manager, Emergency Services, Human Services, Non -Departmental and Animal Control Budgets. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman Mr. Morgan said the Equipment Budget and Capital Projects remain to be pre- sented. He requested this meeting be adjourned to 7:00 p.m., May 26, 1981, for this purpose. Council Minutes 5/15/81 (adj.) -4- 6 0-7 Mayor Mackaig and Councilman Quinn extended their appreciation to Mr. Morgan for a job well done on preparation of the Budget. It was noted the City Council reviewed and acted upon the Budget in five hours and fifty minutes. Mayor Mackaig also commended the Council Members and staff members for their efforts in processing the Budget. Mr. Morgan noted that Mr. Wagner coordinated the entire Budget effort during many meetings with various staff members assisted by Mr. Leege, Director of Finance. Councilman Swearingen requested the Council to oppose AB-1743 - Ryan, which would extend the Gonsalves Bill Statewide. The Gonsalves Bill enables Los Angeles County to charge a Contract City only those additional costs incurred by the County in providing contracted services. The Independent Cities within the County must still defray the administrative costs for County services. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Cormack, and passed by the following vote to dispatch a letter to the Chairman and Members of the Assembly Ways & Means Committee favoring an amendment to AB-1743 exempting Los Angeles County from the Gonsalves Bill. AYES: 4 Council Members: Swearingen, Quinn, Cormack, Mackaig ABSENT: 1 Council Member: Jackman The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., May 26, 1981, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, to study the Equipment Budget and Capital Projects Budget. A r e Robert L. Shand,' -City Clerk -Treasurer Milton R. Mackaig, Mayor 1 Council Minutes 5/15/81 (adj.) -5-