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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 06-03-03 - Special Meetingk I til 4496 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 3, 2003 The City Council of the City of Downey held a Special Meeting at 5:23 p.m., June 3, 2003, in the Downey Room of the Barbara Riley Community/Senior Center located at 7810 Quill Drive, Downey, Mayor Rick Trejo presiding. PRESENT:Council Members: Rick Trejo Kirk O. Cartozian Anne M. Bayer Keith McCarthy Meredith H. Perkins IVtayor Mayor Pro Tempore ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Desi Alvarez, Director of Public Works John Finch, Chief of Police Darrell George, Director of Community/Economic Development Bonnie Kehoe, Director of Community Services4\ John Michicoff, Finance Director Mark Sauter, Fire Chief Loren Behr, Exec. Director Space Museum Roy Campos, Police Captain Mark Dryer, Police Captain Rick Esteves, Police Lieutenant Stephen Garza, Police Lieutenant Linda Haines, Building Official Jim Heckel, Police Lieutenant Sung Hyun, Finance Manager Jim McColluch, Police Lieutenant Mike Miller, Police Captain Kevin O’Connor, Theatre Manager Thad Phillips, City Librarian Vanessa Roj as, Special Projects Coordinator Sylvia Sim, Computer System Manager Eric Sund, Purchasing Manager Ed Velasco, Housing Manager Steven Yee, Economic Development Coordinator Ron Yoshiki, Asst. Director of Community Dev./City Planner Kim Rapp, Executive Secretary City Council Special 06/03/03 -1- 014499 ORAI, COMMUNICATIONS: No one came forward to speak. STUDY SESSION – CITY OF DOWNEY PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003- 2004 Assistant City Manager Lee Powell began a Power Point presentation with a general overview of the City budget. The total City budget for this fiscal year is $125 Million which reflects an increase due to Special Revenue Funds. In terms of the expenditure areas of the total City budget, the biggest area is 40% for Capital Projects. The Police Department (43%) and Fire Department (24%) are the dominant areas of the City’s budget in terms of General Fund expenditures. As for the revenue areas of the total City budget, it is fairly well balanced, with the biggest category being Inter-government revenue (27%). Most of this comes from the State of California and a large portion is used for Capital Projects. As for the General Fund revenues, Inter-government revenue is only 13%. The biggest General Fund revenue is sales taxes at 28% of the total revenue, while property tax revenue is 14%. Assistant City Manager Powell reviewed the main budget highlights including the State budget problem, NASA Infrastructure, Learning Center, NASA Park, and the Golf Course Clubhouse. He mentioned the State budget problem is currently estimated to include a deficit of approximately $38.2 billion. The Proposed budget assumes that the City will lose $430,000 in particular revenue sources nom the State and the General Fund has a $712,000 cushion. He then reviewed the NASA property associated new funds and projects including NASA Infrastructure ($7.7 Million), the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center ($3.1 Million), and the NASA Park ($2.8 Million). Council Member McCarthy requested that the issue of the potential school at the NASA Park site be scheduled for discussion at the next City-School Coordinating Committee meeting. Assistant City Manager Powell gave a brief overview of the general government budgets consisting of City Council, City Attorney, City Clerk and City Manager. Overall, these budgets are down .5%. Council Member McCarthy requested that the computer for the City Council Secretary be replaced due to ongoing problems. Mayor Pro Tempore Cartozian concurred in this request. The Finance Department’s budget was presented by Finance Director John Michicof£ He explained that the department consists of five divisions and reviewed the staffing levels. The requested General Fund budget is $2.2 Million with a 2.3% increase primarily due to building rental and contract costs. He reviewed the department goals and proposed budget expenditures including a new $350,000 water utility billing system and $42,200 upgrades to the city-wide computer system. City Council Special 06/03/03 -2- 014-5 Ofj Council Member McCarthy questioned the staffing reduction in the Management Information Services Division and the workload. Mr. Michicoff responded that some of the work is being done by contracted labor with a cost savings remaining of about $40,000. Director Michicoff reviewed accomplishments including statewide recognition for the financial reporting format, enhanced cash control systems and bank enhancements, completed review and revision of business registration process and modified several purchasing procedures. He responded to questions nom the Council. Police Chief John Finch presented the Police Department’s Budget, reviewing the department’s three divisions: Administration, which includes the subdivision of Code Enforcement, Field Operations and Detectives. He noted the number of staff, duties, and accomplishments of each group. He mentioned accomplishments including the installation of in-car videos for all marked vehicles; independent agency review on high profile cases and Homeland Security items such as personnel protective gear. He reviewed funding challenges for next year and the programs that are State Grant funded such as training, school resources officers, neighborhood preservation, citizens academy and alcohol in the parks. He responded to questions eOIn the Council. Council Member McCarthy inquired why, under Field Operations, object code 0085 Holiday Overtime, there had been $152,000 spend to date yet no funds were requested for next year and Chief Finch responded that he would look into this. t\ Mayor Pro Tempore Cartozian requested that someone check to make sure the school resource officers’ funding be the same as the original proposal nom last year ($25,000?). Council Member Perkins requested that he be provided the background material &om the City Council meeting where the grant monies and School District matching funds for the school resource officers’ funding was discussed and action taken from last year. He questioned why Asset Forfeiture monies could not be used for this program. ORAI, COMMUNICAITONS - No one came forward to speak. RECESS – The meeting was recessed at 6:50 p.m. and reconvened at 7:03 p.m. Fire Chief Mark Sauter reviewed the Fire Department’s budget, noting the department has different sections of the budget including Administration, Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Prevention Bureau, Communications Center and Emergency Preparedness. He mentioned six firefighters have finished their probation; five paramedics were graduated; an active recruitment is taking place; and a Firefighter-Paramedic has been deployed to the war in Iraq. It is planned that 6-7 Firefighters will be hired in August and 7 recruits are due to graduate in October. In terms of capital improvements, the Emergency Operations Training Center is almost complete and Station Three Phase I construction is going out to bid soon. There was success this year in Grant awards including $200,000 towards a new rescue squad and $50,000 Mm Office of Traffic and Safety. He referred to accomplishments such as: expanded training and equipment; terrorism preparedness; reduced injuries; new paramedic squad; assembly and group care inspections; improvements at and daily monitoring of filming activity at former NASA site. City Council Special 06/03/03 -3- O 1 4 D\J I Chief Sauter reviewed goals for the department including a new ladder truck; new rescue squad; new patient handling equipment; radio coverage improvements; a new Fire Code being presented to Council for adoption; improve generator at Station 1 for emergency preparedness efforts; and to have an emergency supply bin at Barbara Riley Community/Senior Center. He responded to questions GoIn the Council. Council Member McCarthy indicated that he would prefer that the improvements at Station 1 be completed before the new hook and ladder truck is purchased. He also suggested that a separate program number be established for the filming activities at the former NASA site so that costs can be more clearly identifiable and fully reimbursed. Council Member Perkins stated that he feels that the overall overtime pay needs to be addressed and requested that it be looked at and more information be brought back to the Council within the next 90 days to justify the need and he would like to see that amount reduced by 30%. In response, Chief Sauter did indicate that a portion of overtime is reimbursed by the filming industry. Mayor Trejo suggested that the idea of an additional Fire Station, in the inter-city area near the downtown, be studied due to the population and economic growth. Mayor Pro Tempore Canozian inquired regarding the increase in the projections for the Emergency Preparedness budget in the year 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, almost doubling the current budget and (.'hief Sauter responded that it was due to the new rescue squad vehicle in the amount of $ 16,000 being in the current budget. 'IN ORAT / COMMUNICATIONS Lennie Whittington, Downey, indicated that in the movie business in Los Angeles, the Police and Fire personnel are on the movie payroll using those who are off-duty or retired. Public Works Director Alvarez gave the presentation of the Public Works Department’s Budget, reviewing the department’s four divisions: Administration, Engineering, Maintenance Services, and Utilities, their functions, programs and projects. He reviewed capital improvement projects scheduled including the Rio Hondo Clubhouse replacement, NASA inhastructure, a new water well and a Sewer Master Plan. He referred to the completion of the GIS Traffic Management System; the Downtown Multi Modal Concourse; the Paramount landscaping median; and trash enclosures for dumpsters at all City parks. He responded to questions from the Council. In response to a question by Council Member McCarthy, Director Alvarez responded that the Sewer Fund was not a new fund, but rather, a consolidation with a total amount of approximately $650,000. Mayor Pro Tempore Cartozian inquired how we could step up enforcement of littering and requested the amount of citations/fines that had been imposed last fiscal year. Council Member Perkins noted that the City may need to start treating its drinking water in the near future and suggested five and ten-year programs be set up and funded. He challenged Director Alvarez to complete the new Rio Hondo Clubhouse before July 4, 2004. City Council Special 06/03/03 -4- all%'s {J=2 ORAT J COMMUNICATIONS Lennie Whittington, Downey, referred to the “graffiti lady” (Lisa Fox) who does an excellent job on graffiti removal, and the student littering next to the various bus stops. Connie Sziebel, Downey, appreciates the aggressive attitude expressed regarding litter enforcement and urged that Council attend the Keep Downey Beautifbl Recognition Awards. Community Services Director Kehoe presented the Community Services Department’s Budget, commending her staff, and reviewing the department’s six divisions: Administration, Recreation, Social Services, Theatre, Library and Learning Center and their scopes of responsibility. She noted this department is involved in hundreds of programs for the social and recreational needs of the community. She mentioned accomplishments including the dedication of Independence Skate Park and remodeled Tennis Center; the new Computer Commons at the Library; the new athletic fields at Columbus High; hiring of a NASA Learning Center Executive Director; award of the construction contract for the new Golf Clubhouse; and re-certification of the ASPIRE after-school program for an additional three years. She noted new projects on the horizon, such as the new Golf Clubhouse and transition of food services; the NASA Learning Center including a Challenger learning center program and the development of a new park on the former NASA property. She responded to questions from the Council. Council Member McCarthy requested that the bathrooms at the Library be overhauled and improved. h Mayor Pro Tempore Cartozian requested that the idea of a fully automated ball collection and distribution be looked at for the Golf Course. Council Member Perkins challenged Director Kehoe to complete the construction of the new Golf Clubhouse by June of next year. Council Member Bayer inquired regarding the use of volunteers for the GRASP and ASPIRE children’s programs. Director Kehoe responded that ASPIRE is a competitive State grant with qualifications and that volunteers are used on a limited basis as allowed by the program requirements. ORAT, COMMUNICATIONS - No one came forward to speak. At this time, City Manager Gerald Caton introduced the new Assistant to the City Manager, Jim Makshanoff, who will beginning his employment with the City on June 23, 2003 . Community/Economic Development Director Darrell George reviewed the Community/ Economic Development’s Department noting that the overall department budget is down 6%. He reviewed achievements and programs, such as completion of the Downey Landing Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report; continued filming activity at the former NASA site; fabrication and installation of new downtown banners and parking signs; completion of Hometown Buffet and CVS center; and substantially completed NASA Acquisition and Development Agreements. He mentioned ongoing projects including revitalization of the southern portion of the Rancho Los Amigos property; execute agreements with Kaiser, Downing Landing and IRG; expedite land approvals for the Downey City Council Special 06/03/03 -5- . 014 5U3 Landing project; provide $2.5 - $3 Million in CDBG funds for the development of the new park at former NASA property; expand Downtown Plan Area boundary and fagade rehabilitation programs; develop an economic development strategy; expand website use to promote economic development; and the upcoming update of the City’s General Plan Vision 2025. He responded to questions £om the Council Council Member McCarthy pointed out how vital safety and security are at the former NASA property during the transition period and with the curiosity factor due to filming activities. Council Member Perkins requested that the Council review the Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Los Angeles regarding the development of the southern portion of the Rancho Los Amigos property before it is signed. He also requested that the Chamber of Commerce be informed that City personnel will no longer provide security services for the Street Faire and instead they are receiving an additional $5,000 in the budget to pay for this additional cost. He further inquired regarding the continued need for the $100,000 funding of the Environmental and Project Manager from the NASA Conveyance fUnd since the conveyance is nearly completed. Mayor Pro Tempore Canozian referred to the Building Department goal of providing more Streamlined Plan Checks and feels this should be a priority to encourage development of buildings and facilities in our City. Council Member McCarthy requested that a picket fence program where residents can pay over time be investigated as well as funding for the Orange Line transit project and requested a report come back. h ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - No one came forward to speak. ADJOURNMENT: 9:54 P.M The meeting was adjourned to 6:30 p.m., June 10, 2003, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall. Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Rick Trejo, Mayo- City Council Special 06/03/03 -6-