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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-10-14-86-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 14, 1986 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 3:00 p.m., October 14, 1986, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor James S. Santangelo presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: James S. Santangelo Mayor Diane P. Boggs Mayor Pro Tem Robert G. Cormack (arrived at 4:39 p.m.) Randall R. Barb (arrived at 6:30 p.m.) Roy L. Paul ALSO PRESENT: Don Davis, City Manager Jeanne Cook, Deputy City Clerk -Treasurer James R. Cutts, Director of Community Development Ronald Irwin, Fire Chief James R. Jarrett, Director of Community Services William F. Martin, Police Chief Lee Powell, Director of Administrative Services William A. Ralph, Director of Public Works Harald J. Henriksen, City Engineer Victoria Jenkins, City Librarian William Makshanoff, Building Official Lowell Williams, Manager of Finance Judy McDonnell, Executive Secretary Budget Study - Capital Improvements Mr. Davis mentioned that during work sessions last summer, staff antici- pated a budget crunch in the next fiscal year, and at the Council's direction, staff has analyzed the situation and come back with recommendation and report. He then reviewed the budget process for 1986-87, noting that in the beginning it was out of balance $1.9 million, which was the result of expenditure items for insurance premiums, Federal Government actions, and a leveling off of auto sales. The City has increased and expanded service in the area of law enforce- ment, paramedics, code enforcement, City planning, tree triming, and Public Library in the past few years, as well as assuming $1.5 million annual cost for the new civic center. Mr. Davis noted that the effect of Proposition 4 Expendi- ture Limit will possibly create a problem in the 1988-89 fiscal year budget. He then commented on the projections for anticipated reduction in revenue and increase in services and noted the increases do not include any capital projects, capital outlay of equipment, maintenance of the Firestone landscape medians, or the swimming pool. Mr. Davis outlined recommended actions for the future to review all positions as they become vacant; review all service and permit fees to insure that revenue from the fees pays for the service cost; that before expanding an existing service or create a new one, insure that funds are available to pay for it; and continually evaluate City services so that they are provided in the most productive and efficient way possible. Tree Trimming: Mayor Pro Tem Boggs favors maintaining tree trimming on a schedule to eliminate problems. Mr. Ralph said a program has been proposed that would place the City back on schedule in five to seven years. Mayor Santangelo would like to see the $20,000 reduction for tree trimming added back into the program. Mr. Davis commented that the City will be receiving a one-time Revenue Sharing Grant from the Federal Government in the amount of $100,000. He would like to hold this in reserve for two items: One, to fund the budget of the PAC Committee; and the other is for a pending legal claim that is forthcoming. Council Minutes 10/14/86 (Adj.) -1- ,-,' 02 Community Grants Mayor Santangelo asked if there was anyone present to speak on this matter. Ms. Chris Green, Executive Director of Campfire, requested the City's support toward the self-reliance courses and latchkey program provided in the Downey schools in the same amount as last year of $1254. Mr. Tim Kennedy, of the Norwalk State Employment Office, said they operate the Downey Youth Employment Office at Apollo Center, and he requested funding for the Office telephone. He commented on the increased number of placements and referrals since the State took over operation of the Youth Employment Office in 1983, which serves mainly Downey residents. Ms. Barbara Marioni, Director of Disabilities Unlimited, said $10,500 is requested for this year, and she commented on the services provided by their organization. Noting that they pay $28,000 a year in rent to the City, she mentioned if the City cannot fund the requested $10,500, they would request consideration on reduction of the rent. The City has the highest number of clients of all the cities they service. Ms. Lynne Apell, executive Director of Southeast Council on Alcoholism and Drug Problems, said the Southeast Council located in Downey is the largest affiliate of the National Council on Alcoholism in the United States. Funding from the City is requested to help with the deficit in the youth program for adolescents, ages 11 to 17, and the detox program. She commented more fully on the programs they provide. It was moved by Councilman Paul and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Boggs to allocate approximately $22,000 and allow the applications to be submitted to the Recreation & Community Services Commission to review and award appropriate funds. Mayor Pro Tem Boggs has received correspondence that We Tip will cancel its golf tournament in the City if the Council does not allocate funds, which con- cerns her since funds cannot be allocated if they are not available. She would like to review all of the items and then make a decision. She withdrew her second to the motion. Mr. Jarrett indicated that We Tip and the senior citizen rebate program have not been considered by the Recreation Commission in the past. Chief Martin noted the Police Department has not made cases based on information supplied by We Tip. It is a worthwhile organization, but he is not certain whether the City is receiving value for the dollar. The Council concurred with having the Recreation & Community Services Commission review the requests and make recommendations. Concrete Sidewalk Program Following a film presentation, Mr. Ralph mentioned the City is having to use all of its Gas Tax Funds to keep up with the FAU allotments and maintenance program in order to obtain funds under SB 300 from the previous year that will last into next fiscal year. At that time, staff will come back with alterna- tives regarding use of Gas Tax for capital improvements, one of which will be an accelerated program for both construction and maintenance of sidewalks. Street Sweeping Mr. Ralph explained he has been looking at different types of street sweepers, and staff has been working with the Police Department in reviewing proposals to post the entire City for sweeping on a weekly basis. He expects to come back in a few weeks with a thorough report. Unified Computer System Mr. Davis stated Councilman Barb was interested in this matter, but he has received no input from the rest of the Council. He asked that this be deferred to a later date but would like it to be considered in the very near future because some departments have made budget requests for equipment approved by Council. Council Minutes 10/14/86 (Adj.) -2- Library Cataloguer Mr. Jarrett proposed upgrading this position to Library Page/Cataloguer at a cast for the remainder of this year of $2400 and an annual cost increase over the current position of approximately $6800. Reorganizing and upgrading the position will create more time for cataloging and paying attention to other items that have been neglected. Ms. Ann Bickel, Drug Prevention Coordinator with Project Info, requested consideration of funds to assist with the family communication classes. Code Enforcement Clerk Mr. Davis said staff will be coming back with a budget request for PAC and discussions have been held regarding personnel assistance for PAC and code enforcement to release the Code Enforcement Officers for more field time. He would like to hold Revenue Sharing Funds for this position and a legal claim that will be discussed later. Mayor Santangelo has received complaints about the long wait for plan checks, which he will turn over to Mr. Cutts. Mr. Cutts noted the Council has expressed a desire for a pro -active code enforcement program. Staff has discussed this matter with the City Prosecutor, who has submitted a letter expressing concern with regard to possible liability problems. If code enforcement is to be operated as proposed, there will be the possible need for an additional Code Enforcement Officer, as well as the clerk position, which would be another $60,000 expense, and part of the cost could be shared with PAC. The Council expressed their views in favor of a pro -active code enforcement program. City Owned Parking Lots Mayor Santangelo mentioned he has previously suggested selling lots to the adjacent property owners, with deed restriction that they continue to be used for that purpose, but he has not received anything back. Also, he would like information on what the City is charging for parking permits and what the deferred maintenance reserves are with regard to repaving the lots. He was told the monthly fee for a parking permit is $10.00, and he raised objection when being informed there are no deferred maintenance reserves. He recalled serving on the Parking Place Commission when the parking permit fee was raised to $10.00 and that there was a proviso for a certain portion to be reserved for the maintenance account. Discussion was held regarding the items brought up for consideration at this meeting. Questions were also raised about the costs to institute a pro- active code enforcement program. Mayor Pro Tem Boggs recommended looking at $17,500 for tree trimming; a maximum of $20,000 for community grants; $2,500 for the library; and $60,000 for the Code Enforcement Officer and Administrative Clerk. She then made a motion to approve her recommendations. The motion was seconded by Councilman Paul and passed by the following vote: AYES: 3 Council Members: Boggs, Paul, Santangelo ABSENT: 2 Council Members: Cormack, Barb It was moved by Councilman Paul, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Boggs, and passed by the following vote that the Recreation & Community Services Commission bring back to the Council its recommendations within 90 days on dispersal of community grant funds. AYES: 3 Council Members: Boggs, Paul, Santangelo ABSENT: 2 Council Members: Cormack, Barb Councilman Cormack arrived at the meeting at 4:39 p.m. Mayor Santangelo declared a recess from 4:40 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The meeting resumed with all Council Members present. Council Minutes 10/14/86 (Adj.) -3- Mayor Santangelo announced the Council will be recessing to closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters, attorney -client communications, and pending litigation pursuant to the provisions of Section 54956.9 - Government Code, Subdivision (a), as follows: Barrera vs. Downey; Grundman vs. Downey; and one Subdivision (b) matter. The meeting was then recessed to closed session from 6:30 p.m. to 7:35 p.m. and resumed with all Council Members present. Mayor Santangelo explained the information in the newspaper regarding the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast has been modified. The Proclamation to be con-sidered at the next Council Meeting on October 28th will be revised to state the breakfast will be ecumenical in nature for spiritual rededication rather than Christian rededication. The City is not sponsoring the prayer breakfast --the event will be designated as a Community Prayer Breakfast, and no City expendi- tures or expenses will be incurred in conjunction with the event. The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. vv�C�n4 �G L Je-_anne,J O -`Deputy CityClerk-Treasurer antange o, ayor Council Minutes 10/14/86 (Adj.) -4-