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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 06-03-08 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 3, 2008 The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m., June 3, 2008, in the Council Chamberof Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey, California, Mayor/Chairperson David R. Gafin presiding. PRESENT:Council Members: David R. Gafin Mario A. Guerra Mayor/Chairperson Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chairperson (arrived 7:12 p.m.) Anne M. Bayer Kirk O. Cartozian Rick Trejo ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager/Assistant Executive Director Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk/Secretary Roy Campos, Chief of Police Linda Haines, Director of Building and Housing Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development John Michicoff, Director of Finance John Perfitt, Director of Economic Development Thad Phillips, Director of Community Services Scott K. Pornrehn, Assistant to the City Manager Brian Ragland, Director of Public Works Mark Sauter. Fire Chief Other City staff The flag salute was led by Director of Finance John Michicoff. BUDGET STUDY SESSION 1.PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2008-2009 PROPOSED CITY/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BUDGET. City Manager Caton began a staff presentation indicating that Mile a balanced budget is being presented tonight, there are upcoming challenges including outstanding salary negotiations with the employee bargaining groups, the Space Science Learning Center operational expenses, the new Discovery Sports Complex maintenance/operations and the uncertainty of the State budget problems. It is anticipated that the budget WII need reviewed in the upcoming fiscal year. To balance the budget, $4.6 million vms cut from the department requests. City Manager Caton thanked the department heads for working with Assistant City Manager Powell in making those cuts. In the last bw months, a modified hiring freeze has been implemented, v#lerein when vacancies occur, they are not automatically filled. City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/03/08 1 The proposed budget continues to make public sabty the highest priority by continuing to expand the Police department by 1 0 sworn officer positions. The overall staffing of the City is only up 6 positions since 1990, wherein during the same period of time, the Police department positions have increased by 27%. In effect, more resources have been put in the Police department and other resources have been taken from other departments. There are upcoming opportunities in Downey that not many cities in Southern California currently have and those include: 2 separate billion dollar developments in the City. One being the former Downey Studios property and the other being on Los Angeles County Rancho Los Arnigos property. City Manager Caton concluded that the budget document is a line item budget, but in addition, is an important policy document with Council directing staff where to spend the money. Assistant City Manager Powell gave a Power Point presentation, noting that the total budget being proposed is $136,653,004, indicating that it is slightlyless than the previous year. He explained the budget is divided into the following funds: General Fund: $68,899,835; Special Revenue Funds: $35,667,712; and Enterprise Funds: $32,085,457. Together the Police and Fire departments make up 68% of the General Fund expenditures. He continued that the revenues are fairly well diversified, but many sources are currently down, noting specifically that real estate transfer fees are down 50%; building permit fees are down 22%; plan check fees are down 14%; automobile sales are down 5% and transient occupancy tax is down 4% The State budget deficit is approximately $15 to $20 billion and cuts have already been made to revenues to the City including: law enforcement funds $218,000; mandated cost reimbursements $110,000; school resources officer $50,000 and gas tax funds deferred $887,000. There are concerns that redevelopment property taxes as well as City property taxes might be targeted. The proposed budget reflects that all requests for new programs have been denied, the Building division has been cut down; Community Services has eliminated some part-time positions; and the Library has eliminated some subscriptions to electronic databases. He continued that some unavoidable increases to the new budget include: the November election for 3 City Council seats; a County property tax administration fee; and escalating fuel prices. Continuing initiatives with cost impacts include the new Columbia Space Science Center and Discovery Sports Complex operation and maintenance; the Police officer expansion program; and City labor contracts. He concluded that the General Government portion of the budget highlights include the Columbia Space Science Center dedication and grand opening; Downey Studios, Rancho Los Amigos and downtown revitalization planning; and expanded public information efforts. Director of Finance Michicoff gave a presentation for the General Services portion of the budget, noting that it includes Finance, Purchasing, Information Technology and Civil Liability. It includes 25 full and 1 part time employee, with a total budget of $3.8 million. Accomplishments include new software for Fixed Assets and Central Stores/Inventory; processing over 50,000 counter transactions; new Purchasing Manager and Junior Accountant; managed 50 claims and 9 lavwuits; and accepting medical payments online. Goals include: actuaHal study of post employment benefits; transferring lines of insurance to single broker; evaluate cost effectiveness of water lock box process; and upgrade computer network hardware. Chief of Police Campos gave a presentation for the Police Department portion of the budget, noting it includes Administration, Field Operations, Detectives and Code Enforcement divisions, with a combined total budget of $29.5 million. The Professional Standards Unit of the Administration City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/03/08 9 division completed 51 use of force reviews and coordinated over 8,000 hours of professional training; while the Special Enforcement Team processed 290 police permit applications, conducted 76 prospective employee background investigations and made over 280 business checks for liquor law compliance. The Code Enforcement division maintained 98% compliance without court prosecution, generated 2,132 new cases and cleared 2,094 cases. The Field Operations division, which is the largest portion of the budget and personnel, received 33,025 911 calls, had 14,271 reported crimes and incidents, 3,988 arrests and 45,821 citations issued. The Detective division had 10,517 cases assigned with 1,993 criminal filings, 1,666 crime scenes and 96 positive fingerprint IDs. The Department accomplishments include equipping the entire patrol fleet with ballistic door panels, conducting 2 Citi an’s Academy classes, implementing Voice Stress Analyzer as an investigative tool; and instituting the AvIare Teens Against Graffiti (ATAG) program. Goals and challenges for the department include recruitment, the Police Cadet program and replacing an obsolete dispatch recording system. Fire Chief Sauter gave a presentation for the Fire Department portion of the budget, with a total proposed budget of $17.6 million. Accomplishments br the Administrative division include: receiving grant monies for new breathing equipment, establishing emergency procedures and fire station improvements. Challenges include: transition to a new communications center and emergency medical services delivery. The Fire Suppression division received improved equipment and participated in approximately 15,000 hours of training. Challenges include: new personnel, new assignments and a new radio system. In the Emergency Medical Services division a new paramedic was hired and specialized communications were installed. Challenges include availability, timely responses and paramedic replacements. The Basic Life Support Transportation division hired and trained new ambulance operators and will be increasing the number of part-time operators and the availability hours. The Joint Powers Communication Center established a hospital communications system and radio system improvements. Most 911 cell phone calls are being routed to Downey instead of the CHP. They will be transitioning to a new communications center and continuing to support local communications system. The Fire Prevention Bureau has reorganized the Haz-Mat program, worked on various community development projects and provided oversight for movie sets. They will be reorganizing the special events program, creating a Fire Prevention student worker position and improving the timeliness of the inspection process. The Emergency Preparedness Division provided CERT bins, tools and training. They will continue with training and a community disaster drill. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra requested that the contents of the bins be checked for expiration and be replaced if necessary. Director of Public Works Ragland gave a presentation of the proposed budget for the Public Works Department, with a combined total of $56.4 Million. Of that, $35.3 million is for Capital program funding, with a total of 71 capital projects, with 13 of them being new. He noted that over 700,000 square feet of graffiti has been removed from 900 locations during the last fiscal year. The Administrative division implemented the construction and demolition ordinance, conducted 17 Keep Downey Beautiful cleanups, and complied with the solid waste diversion compliance order. They will continue the holiday toy collection and car show, landscaping and composting workshops and initiate stormwater pollution prevention programs in ASPIRE and third grade student classrooms. The Engineering division completed many capital projects, including Phase 1 Impenal Highway traffic and safety enhancements; pavement resurfacing on 14 residential street segments; and completed plans/specifications for Old River School Road Safe Route to Schools project. Next fiscal year, they will be completing Lakewood Boulevard project phases 1 C, ID and 2; pavement resurfacing on Paramount Boulevard, Imperial Highway, and 57 residential streets; and Phase 2 Imperial Highway Traffic and Safety Enhancement project. City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/03/08 3 The Maintenance Services division increased graffiti removal by 38%; upgraded the heating and air conditioning system at City Hall; street landscaping at Gardendale Street and Woodruff Avenue; and purchased a clean diesel wheel loader with 75% grant funds. In the next fiscal year, they will continue to support the Police Department’s graffiti prosecution efforts; proactive streetlight maintenance and traffic signal repairs; and reconstruct raised concrete sidewalks and repair potholes to reduce potential liability. The Utilities division completed a new water system model; constructed a Clark Avenue water pipeline; rehabilitated 3 water wells; video inspected 50,000 feet of sewer pipe; monitored sewer flow at 27 locations; and installed a se\mr main on Quill Drive. In the next fiscal year, they will complete the water system master plan; the sanitary sewer master plan; a sewer line project on La Reina Avenue; and video inspection of 75,000 feet of sewer pipe. Council Member Trejo noted that Downey Avenue between Florence Avenue and Gallatin Road needs street repairs. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra requested a list of those streets scheduled for repair in the upcoming fiscal year. RECESS: At 8:13 p.m., Mbyor Gafin called a short recess. The meeting reconvened at 8:23 p.m., Wth all Council Members present. Director of Community Services Phillips gave a presentation of the proposed budget for the Community Services Department. He noted that last \par included a lot of 1 st time events including One Book, One Community hiring an Arc consumer at the Library; an excursion to the 50th anniversary Dodger game; having 36 excursions with 1800 participants; and having classes at Independence Skate Park. He pointed out that the budget remains the same as last war, with the exception of new costs associated with the new Discovery Sports Complex and extra staffing at Independence Park. He reported that there were many accomplishments for the department last year, including: Memorandum of Understanding with Metro Transportation Authority resulting in $113,276 in revenues for sharing transit database information; Treasure Island Park improvement survey; Early Learning with Families grant; Furman Park snack shack expansion; 7 new propane buses; fingerprinting all contact class instructors; and replacing a restroom at Rio Hondo Golf Course. Objectives for next year include: Opening of Discovery Sports Complex fields; pathway improvements at Rio Hondo Golf Course; and Community Centered programming. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra inquired regarding the opening of the new Discovery Sports Complex and was told it is planned for September. He also requested that with the consolidation of the City yards, that the excess property be considered for parks and staff confirmed that this is being considered Deputy City Manager/Community Development Director Livas presented the Community Development Department budget, Wth a total of $7.9 million. He noted Planning diMsion accomplishments including: reorganization of staff; zoning code update; housing element update; preparation of annual report; and Laserfiche implementation. ne upcoming fiscal year will include processing Downey Landing Specific Plan; Rancho Los Amigos Specific Plan; downtown Specific Plan introducing housing; updating Design Review process; and creating an electronic filing system. Council Member Bayer thanked Assistant City Manager Livas indicating that the changes in this division have been good and a professional image is being conveyed. Director of Economic Development Perfitt gave a presentation for the division indicating that significant progress has been made on the DomIey Studios/Tierra Luna Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIFR); a cleanup and stabilization plan, lease and reuse plan has been completed for the former Johnie’s Broiler site; a lease has been approved for a Fresh and Easy store City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/03/08 4 at the former Albertsons site; and acquisitions of key downtown properties have been made. Goals for the next fiscal year include: completion of Downey StudiosfTierra Luna Specific Plan, EIR and Development Agreement; completion of downtown Specific Plan and strategy; plan for agency owned property at 9066 Firestone; and development of a new marketing program for City. Director of Building and Housing Haines gave a presentation for the divisions. She noted the Building division issued 2,378 building permits with combined valuations of over $100 million; 886 new plan checks; and conversion of address files to Laserfiche system, phase 1. ne Housing division completed 30 paint and fix-up projects; provided funding for 36 home improvement projects; financed $1.2 million in home improvement loans; assisted 4,8000 beneficiaries of block grant supported public services; and added 5 affordable housing units. Next year will include: phase II of computerized building permit process; financing 33 home improvement loans; repaint 30 houses; exterior repainting of the Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center; and adding 8 affordable housing units. Mayor Pro Tem Guerra noted that copies of property records that are on microfiche and cost $1.00 per page, are unreadable quality. Director Livas responded that they are in the process of making improvements. Council Member Cartozian complemented Assistant City Manager Livas in doing a tremendous job in working with other departments and hopes that there will be increased efficiency in working with property entitlements. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., June 10, 2008. M LEEN L. MiDSTOKKE, City Clerk G,®bnoB&B City Council/Community Development Comm. MInutes 06/03/08 5