The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 06-15-04 - Regular Meeting0] 4784 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 15, 2004 The City Council of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 5:35 p.m., June 15, 2004, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall, Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy presiding. PRESENT:Council Members: Kirk O. Cartozian Keith McCarthy Anne M. Bayer Meredith H. Perkins Rick Trejo Mayor (absent – excused) Mayor Pro Tempore (arrived at 6:04 p.m.) ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager James Makshanoff, Assistant to the 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 Services John Michicoff, Finance Director Mark Sauter, Fire Chief Angie Avery, Recreation Manager Roy Campos, Police Captain Mark Dryer, Police Captain Linda Haines, Building Official Ron LeVar, Deputy Building Official Mike Miller, Police Captain Kevin O’Connor, Theatre Manager Sheila Paustch, Recreation Supervisor Thad Phillips, City Librarian Ed Velasco, Housing Manager Ron Yoshiki, Asst. Director of Community Dev./City Planner Susan Domen, Executive Secretary STUDY SESSION – PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005 There was a supplemental Agenda Memo distributed dated June 15, 2004 entitled “Budget Reductions – Social Service Grants“, from Assistant City Manager Powell. City Council Adj . Reg. Minutes 06/15/04 -1- A .O1 478 S City Manager Caton explained that this evening is a continuation of the Budget Study Session of June 4, 2004. At the last session, a number of cuts were looked at and at this time, the City Council has authorized $4,481,831 in cuts, which included the addition of three items to the budget: 1) the Fire Prevention Education Specialist; 2) the Holiday Home Decoration Contest and 3) the One-Stop Development Center. The reductions made include: cutting office supplies by $9,062 (10%) and cutting the special activity supplies by $41,434 (10%). There was one unresolved matter concerning Social Service grants ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Gary DeRemer, President of Downey Rose Float Association, indicated that the $5,000 that the association receives from the City is invested in items such as soda that are then sold at a profit. He indicated that many costs such as insurance have increased. Denia Mandt, resident of Downey, attends two Senior clubs at the Community Center and has concern about having to pay for the Downey Room. Community Services Director Kehoe responded that any groups not paying currently will have no changes. Harold Tseklenis, resident of Downey, reinforcing his plea for support for the Symphony, noting that they do pay $ 10,000 to the Theater ($6,000 rent and $4,000 staff services). Larry Lewis, President of the Downey Symphony, stating that their programs are truly an enrichment for the children, appreciates the past City support and hopes it will continue. Margaret Waskin, resident of Downey, supports the Symphony and especially the programs in the elementary schools. STUDY SESSION – PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005 – Cont. At this time, Assistant City Manager Powell reviewed the options for the Social Service grants. He explained that there was not majority direction at the last study session on the amounts for the Downey Symphony, Art Museum and Rose Float Association. Council Member Perkins suggested that all three receive a 36% reduction from last year’s funding, which would equate to the Symphony receiving $6,400, Art Museum $3,200 and Rose Float Assn. $3,200. Council Member Bayer stated she felt this was fair and equitable and she supports it. Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy expressed that it was fair and equitable but does not achieve the amount of cuts proposed by staff previously. City Manager Caton indicated that staff now has direction to cut all equally. Assistant City Manager Powell presented a staff report, including a Power Point presentation, indicated that the proposed total City budget for fiscal year 2004-05 is $123,603,628. The general fund is the largest portion at $54,898,165, the special revenue funds are $45,593,405 and utilities at $23,112,058. The beginning reserve balance is $11,985,000 with the expected ending balance to be $ 10,489,000. He indicated one of the main reasons the reserve is going to decline is the Governor’s proposed take away of local revenues. The amounts include general fund loss: $1,086,000, street City Council Adj . Reg. Minutes 06/15/04 -2- 014786 lighting fund loss: $97,250 and redevelopment debt service fund loss: $389,000. These monies are being taken by reducing motor vehicle revenues, increasing property taxes, and sales tax reductions. Assistant City Manager Powell then presented the proposed budgets for the General Government departments which consist of City Council, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager, Finance and Personnel with total expenditures of $4,048,098. Finance Director Michicoff presented the Finance Department organizational chart, key activities, accomplishments and goals for the next fiscal year. Police Chief Finch presented the Police Department organizational chart, staffing levels, annual workload and program cutbacks for the next fiscal year. Fire Chief Sauter presented the Fire Department organizational chart, activities, accomplishments and goals for the next fiscal year. Director of Public Works Alvarez presented the Public Works organizational chart, the budget fund breakdowns including the water budget and some highlights of the department activities. Director of Community Services Kehoe presented the Community Services divisions, programs and activities contributing to the quality of life in Downey. Director of Community and Economic Development George presented the Community Development organizational chart, reviewed counter activity and development projects including the Downey Landing area reuse projects. Margaret Wassgren, resident of Downey, suggested that the Police cars, if well maintained, could have a five year usefbl life. Police Chief Finch responded that the proposed budget assumes a six year life for the Police cars and they typically have mileage of 22,000 per year. In response to Council Member Perkins, Finance Director Michicoff indicated that as the property taxes go up, so do the County collection fees as they are based upon a percentage. Council Member Perkins requested that the Finance Department compile a report including a complete breakdown for providing individual cars for employees versus car allowances for potential cost savIngs. Maria Larkin, resident of Downey, speaking in support of the Police Depu'tment, indicated that many of the guest speakers at various clubs and groups in Downey brag about ou comrnunity and one of the first things they say are that we have a great Police Department, Fire Department and school system. She urged that no drastic cuts be made in the public safety departments. Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy requested that a separate accounting category be created to track filming management costs versus revenue and be shown in the budget document. He also requested that the updated information presented tonight from the flow charts be carried over into the printed budget document. City Council Adj . Reg. Minutes 06/15/04 -3- 014787 Council Member Perkins indicated that water treatment will have to be looked at in the near future and that a fund should be created for this purpose. Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy indicated that NPDES compliance needs to be shown in the final printed budget. Council Member Perkins noted that pages 252 and 253 in the proposed budget document are duplicates. Mayor Pro Tempore McCarthy requested that an annual report be prepared on the entire former NASA site (Downey Landing) indicating activities, revenues and expenses. Council Member Bayer questioned whether there were any cuts in the City Council budget that could be made. She suggested that possible cuts could be the dinners before the Council meeting at $2,000 per year; and the stipend paid to the Design Review Board and the Planning Commission. Council Member Perkins requested that the Downey Landing Site be kept as an Enterprise Fund where there are profits and losses. Council Member Trejo indicated support for reconsideration of the staff hours for the Snack Bar at Independence Park and reallocating the money from the consultant studying the One-Stop Development Center to reopening the Library on Sundays. City Manager Caton indicated that staff has received the input from Council, thanked the Council for their faith in the staff and pointed out that the current fiscal year is ending with a $1.9 Million surplus which would cover the deficit if the City had a two year budget. ADJOURNIVIENT: 8:35 p.m. The meeting was adjourned to 6:30 p.m., June 22, 2004, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall. .THLEET'.: L. MIDSTOKKE, City Cl„k C ? City Council Adj . Reg. Minutes 06/15/04 -4-