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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 06-02-09 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 2, 2009 The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 6:03 p.m., June 2, 2009, in the Council Chamberof Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey, California, Mayor/Chairperson Mario A. Guerra presiding. PRESENT:Council Members: Mario A. Guerra Anne M. Bayer Luis H. Marquez Roger C. Brossmer David R. Gafin Mayor/Chairperson Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chairperson ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects Gilbert Livas, Deputy City Manager/Community Development Mark Sauter, Deputy City Manager/Emergency Services Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant Deputy City Manager Roy Campos, Police Chief John Michicoff, Finance Director Thad Phillips, Community Services Director Brian Ragland, Public Works Director Jeff Turner, Fire Chief Other Staff The invocation was given by Mayor Pro Tem Bayer. The flag salute was led by Finance Director Michicoff. BUDGET STUDY SESSION 1.PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2009-10 PROPOSED CITY/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BUDGET. City Manager Caton gave a brief report, noting that the budget is the most important accounting and policy document in the City. It reflects the City Council priorities. The City has built up reserves to over $50 Million so that they can be used to maintain the same level of City services when bumps in the road come. This proposed budget uses approximately $2.5 Million from reserves. The City has been especially hard hit in the area of automobile sales revenue which has decreased fifty percent (50%) this fiscal year. $5 Million was cut from the departmental budget requests. There is only one General Fund capital improvement project, the lighting at Treasure Island park. What the State will take from the City is unknown at this time. City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/02/09 1 Finance Director Michicoff gave a Power Point presentation, noting that the total budget being proposed is $148,741,732, with 68% being operating and 32% capital projects. He explained the budget is divided into the following funds: General Fund: $68,807,179; Special Rewnue Funds: $42,203,607; and Enterprise Funds: $37,730,946. In regards to General Fund expenditures, the Police department is 44%, Fire department 25%, Community Services 1 1%, Public Works 8%, General Government 8% and Community Development 4%. He explained that General Fund revenues come from property taxes (33%), sales tax (24%), other taxes (19%), service fees (8%), interest and rent (5%), permits and fines (5%), intergovernmental (3%), and other revenue (3%). He noted that the General Fund sales tax revenue has taken a hard hit due to the recession that started about December, 2007. He believes the worse of the recession is behind us and that consumer confidence is independent. He continued that the budget issues include revenue concerns, fiscal uncertainty, service levels, and opportunities and challenges. The revenue concerns include those areas that are down, noting specifically: construction permit fees -23%, plan check fees -21%, sales tax -15%, business registration -5%, transient occupancy tax -4% and total General Fund revenue 4%. The fiscal uncertainty includes the State massive deficit (over $20 billion), local property taxes may be borrowed by the State ($2 million), State and City cuts in services impacting residents, economic recovery may be slow, auto dealership closures, property tax decreases, and General Fund expenditure increases of less than 1%. The service levels may be affected by the openings of Discovery Sports Complex and Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center, City labor contracts, Public Safety Communication Center stability, and non-safety hiring freezes. The opportunities and challenges include the Federal stimulus funds and grants ($15.7 million), $45.8 million in capital projects, Tierra Luna (Downey Studios) Specific Plan process, downtown Specific Plan, a respectable reserve to endure the economic downturn, second year that most requests for new programs denied, status of water and sewer systems, and loss of automobile dealerships. Director Michicoff then gave a presentation for the Finance Department portion of the budget, noting that it includes 22 full time and 1 part time emplo)ees, with a total budget of $3.8 million. He noted that the General Fund portion is $2,754,054 as follows: accounting and administration 60%, information technology 22%, purchasing 1 1% and parking tickets 7%. He continued noting significant changes including the transition of duties to the Finance Director due to the upcoming retirement of the Assistant City Manager, addition of a budget analyst position in the later half of the fiscal year, implementation and monitoring Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) program, compliance with Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), and a purchasing manager vacancy. 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 $30.1 million. The administration division, which is 16% of the total budget, has eight full-time sworn, fifteen full-time support and ten part-time employees. They completed 48 use of force reviews, 12,000 + hours of professional training, processed 319 police permit applications and 113 prospective employee background investigations were conducted. The code enforcement division, which is 3% of the total budget, has one full-time supervisor, six full-time officers and one full- time support position. The field operations division, which is 58% of the budget, has eightrnine full- time sworn officers, twenty-three full-time support and nine part-time employees. 171,000 calls were answered by communications personnel, 34,733 9-1-1 calls were received, 14,625 reported crimes and incidents, 1,409 collisions investigated, 4,347 arrests and 41,403 citations issued. The detectives division, which is 20% of the total budget, has tvwnty-seven full-time sworn officers, eight full-time support and two part-time employees. 9,622 cases were assigned, 1,535 criminal filings, 1,855 crime scenes were processed and 83 positive fingerprint identifications. ') City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/02/09 He noted that 80% of the cases presented are filed by the District Attorney. Three areas of Police department needs were emphasized. One being equipment vWlich provides the tools to produce superior work and confidence for the officers; the second being training which is the extremely important backbone and insulator for potential liabilitB and the third being the absolute necessity of officers having an aggressive, visible, active field presence. A high profile at the street level helps prevent violence which affects us all. In response to comments from Council, Chief Campos noted that there is no increase in the overtime budget due to having the new work schedule, that the Consolidated Youth Services referral program is going out of business and will not need funding ($- 10,400), and that the School Resource Officer provides a visible presence for security, coaching, mentoring and counselor on school campuses. Many potential incidents are prevented by having that presence Fire Chief Turner gave a presentation for the Fire department portion of the budget, with a total proposed budget of $17.4 million, which is down 1%. The administration division, which is 3% of the total budget, has one full-time sworn position, one full-time support employee and one part-time intern. Their operations include personnel management and financial responsibility, with objectives of staff development, additional station improvements and injury reduction. Their challenges include emergency medical services (EMS) delivery, maintaining the joint communications centerstatus and an emphasis on staff development. With anticipated numerous retirements in the near future, a younger force must be trained to fill the positions. The fire suppression division, which is 67% of the budget, has fifty-four sworn positions and two part-time support employees. Their assignments include emergency response, fire prevention, training and equipment maintenance, Wth objectives of improved Area E operations and injury reduction. Their challenges include new personnel and new assignments. Tbe emergency medical services division, which is 15% of the budget, has tvwlve full-time positions. Their assignments include emergency medical responses and advanced life support transports, with an objective of new paramedic procedures. Their challenges include timely responses and maintaining a high level of training. The basic life support transportation division, which is 3% of the budget, has one full-time sworn position, six full-time ambulance drivers and four part-time ambulance drivers. Their assignments include basic life support transports and emergency medical system management, Wth an objective of reducing hospital waiting times. Tbeir challenges include maintaining desired cost collection and addressing increased regulatory requirements. The joint powers communications division, which is 8% of the budget, has ten full-time and 3 part-time support positions. Their assignments include 9-1 -1- dispatching and Area E communications, with an objective of training all dispatchers to provide emergency medical dispatch. Their challenges include support of local communications system, and planning and preparing for new technology. Chief Turner indicated that the response time is a little over one minute. The fire prevention bureau, which is 4% of the budget, has three full-time sworn and two full-time support positions. Their assignments include specialized inspections, plan review, arson/fire investigations, hazardous material inspections and special events. Their objective is to improve coordination with other City departments and a challenge of maintaining a high level of productivity. Council Member Brossmer questioned the amount of overtime and Chief Turner responded that it includes mandatory training, raters for other cities examinations (which are reciprocated), strike teams (which get reimbursed) and to meet the minimum stafFing of twenty-one positions every day. At this time (7:20 p.m.), the Mayor invited Public Comment on budget related items. Coming forward to speak were: Robert Goldstein, resident of Downey, suggested that the $8,000 in the budget br the Orange Line maglev transit project should be deleted because if the project does ever go through, it will be privately owned . City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/02/09 3 Martha Sodetani, resident of Downey and member of the Downey Unified School District Board of Education, spoke regarding maintaining the eHsting funding for the school resource officer, noting police on campus are key to preventing violence which can erupt quickly. The following people spoke requesting that the funding remain for the Downey Rose Float Association and Concerts in the Park: Mike Artherton Kelley Roberts Kathia Morales Leonard Zuniga, resident of Downey and President of the Downey Sister Cities Association asked for the support of the City Council, noting that Sister Cities Association has a very active Board of Directors and hopes to reaffirm relationships with all of Downey’s Sister Cities (Guadalajara, Mexico; Valle of San Quintin, Mexico; Alajuela, Costa Rica; and Ensenada, Mbxico). Carl Johnson, resident of Downey inquired as to the status of the Downey Avenue Theatre and suggested that it be open for students of the arts such as music, poetry and comedy. RECESS At 7:44 p.m., Mbyor Guerra called a short recess. The meeting reconvened at 7-.52 p.m., Wth all Council Members present. Public Works Director Ragland gave a presentation of the proposed budget for the Public Works department, with a combined total budget of $64.9 million. Of that, 61 % is engineering, 29% utilities, 9% maintenance services and 1 % administration. He noted that staffing will remain at eighty- five full-time employees, although seven vacant positions have been frozen, four in engineering and three in maintenance. Capital program funding has a total of $44.7 million. The administration division accomplishments include complyng with the solid waste diversion compliance order, managing the construction and demolition ordinance, conducting an environmental fair at Kidsday, hosting smart gardening composting workshops, and conducting Keep Downey Beautiful cleanups. Their objectives include effectively managing with reduced manpower and initiating stormwater pollution prevention programs in after school programs and classrooms. The engineering division accomplishments include pavement resurfacing on fifty seven residential streets, completed Lakewood Boulevard project phases IC, ID and 2, completed miscellaneous concrete repair project, completed Civic Center north parking lot project, and Old River School Road safe routes to school project. Objectives include completing Lakewood Boulevard phase 3A, Fire Station No. 1 walls and gates project, Paramount Boulevard fiberoptic traffic signal communications project, implementing revised stormwater permits, inspections and regulations, and streamlining engineering data management requirements. The maintenance services division accomplishments include site work projects at Discovery Sports Complex and Columbia Memorial Space Science and Learning Center, removing 741,000 square feet of graffiti, and various landscape beautification projects. Their objectives include increasing renovation of sports turf in City parks; increased support to code enforcement to abate abandoned property nuisances, and traffic signal and streetlight repairs. The utilities division accomplishments include new recycled water and sewer system models, sanitary sewer management plan, certified urban water management plan, new sewer system disinfection plan, and refurbishing three groundwater wells. The objectives are completing the water system and sanitary sewer master plans, and design and construction of a new water well. Director Ragland then reviewed the challenges and impacts on the engineeHng division and maintenance services due to the vacant, frozen positions. City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/02/09 4 Community Services Director Phillips gave a presentation of the proposed budget for the Community Services department, noting the department has thirty-eight full-time employees. They provide community centered programs based on what the residents want. He acknowledged the staff members who prepared their division budgets with no increased costs. Notable items include the 50th Anniversary of the Downey City Library, proposal of a Youth Committee and increased use of the parks. He then reviewed the proposed reductions and savings. Council Member Brossmer questioned the suggested cuts in staffing at the various parks and requested that they be revisited,specifically Independent and Apollo parks. Community Development Director Livas gave a presentation of the proposed budget for the Community Development department, with a combined total of $8,687,477. Of that, 47% is housing, 23% economic development, 17% building and safety, and 13% planning. The department accomplishments include completion of the draft environmental impact report (EIFR) for the Tierra Luna project, redevelopment agreement with Porto’s Bakery, circulated requests for proposals for the Avenue and Verizon projects, Dine in Downey program, zoning code update and implementation, reorganizing building division and streamlining the business license process. Goals include agreements for Avenue and Verizon projects, complete Terra Luna and downtown Specific Plans and EIRs, develop City marketing strategy, complete building code update, and ezone parcels for zoning code consistency. He noted significant changes resulting in a response oriented department with high standards, efficiency and business friendly operations. Assistant City Manager Powell addressed the general fund budget projections over the next few years. He distributed a graph and a list of budget reduction ideas. He noted a continued gap between revenues and expenditures with reasons including the State budget problem, sales tax revenue decline, future property tax revenue declines and slow recovery of property values, the Learning Center operation, Police salary increases in June 2009 and 2010, and Fire salary increases in June 2009 In response to inquiry from Council Member Brossmer, City Manager Caton noted that there are eighteen non-safety frozen positions and seventeen of them are funded in the preliminary budget. There could be a savings of $1.4 Million if these positions are not filled the entire fiscal year. Mayor Guerra requested a list similar to the reductions with potential new revenues. There was Council discussion regarding the funding of the on campus school resource officer and the percentage that the City, School District and Gangs Out of Downey would provide. Council Member Brossmer indicated that a City contribution of $37,000 as proposed in the preliminary budget is too low. He also suggested that this position get out ofthe overtime category and be put in as part of the regular schedule. Mayor Guerra suggested $60,000 from the general Police overtime budget and there were no objections. Council Member Brossmer indicated he would like an opportunity to review the seventeen vacant/frozen positions, the cost of each, and the ramifications and consequences of not filling them. He noted that he wants to maintain the current staffing at Apollo and Independence parks and the staffing at Crawford park reviewed. Mayor Guerra indicated concerns with the amounts of overtime for public safety and would like some percentage of cuts in this area. It was noted that the Cable TV legal services retainer fee of $4,000 can be eliminated. The Council then discussed the City Council budget, noting that $1,100 can be cut br the holiday cards and the travel and meeting expenses from $15,000 to $12,000. 1here was concurrence that of the $12,000, an account for each member of $2,400 could be set up, Wth an additional new account for travel related to lobbying. City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/02/09 5 Mayor Guerra noted that the Public Hearing to adopt the budget WII be on June 23rd, and the second budget study session can be cancelled. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: No one came forward to speak ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:39 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., June 9, 2009. ZzBl£Z#Hq KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clel D/I. MARIO A. GUERRA, Mbyor City Council/Community Development Comm. Minutes 06/02/09 6