Loading...
04-17-1978 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA APRIL 17, 1978 The adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor Tice. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Tice; the invocation was given by Councilman Chappell. RnT.T. r..AT.T. Present: Mayor Tice; Mayor Pro Tem Chappell Councilmen: Miller, Shearer, Browne Others Present: H. Fast, L. Preston, L. Eliot, M. Miller, M. Volmert, Staff Department Heads and Department Representatives, B. Freemon - S.G.V.D.T. ALTERNATIVE BUDGET FOR 1978-79 FISCAL YEARS Staff presented the Report. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED Mr. G. McClosky Representative of the West Covina West Covina, Ca. Water Otters Swim Team. • Recognized the problems that the Council could be facing, and requested consideration of the following concerning the Water Otters Swim Team/Program. The Edgewood Pool is the only pool available in the City for a competitive swimming program. Should it be eliminated, there -would be no other place for the team to go. Reported that the Swim Team is, to a large extent, self-supporting. 80 to 90 youngsters are in the program on a regular basis year-round. Each individual pays a fee of $7 to 8.00 per month. They provide their own equipment and transportation to and from meets. They pay their own swim meet entrance fees. They put a lot of work into the program, and are not looking for a "free ride," per se. Felt the coaching staff is excellent. The monthly fees go into the City General Fund from which the coaches are paid. There are dividends from the program, not only to the City, but to the individuals themselves. West Covina benefits by virtue of the fact that the Water Otters compete in an area —wide swim team program, carrying the name of West Covina all over Southern California. Each year the team.hosts the Annual Invitational (May 13th this year) wherein money is raised to carry on the work of the program. Teams are invited into our City from all over Southern California. - 1 - CITY COUNCIL Alternative Budget April 17, 1978 Page Two The parents of the youngsters on the team comprise the Boosters Club. They support all of the team's • efforts; i.e. they work from sunup to sundown the day of the Annual Invitational. If the pool remains open, this summer some of the older youngsters on the team plan to teach handicapped children how to swim. The President of the Boosters Club and Gus Salazar from the City Human Resources Department are currently working out a program whereby the team can involve itself in community activity; i.e. older youngsters on the team providing a service to the handicapped and elderly by doing household chores, etc. Re dividends to the youngsters in the program, swimming represents a total exercise. From the standpoint of competition, it gives youngsters an opportunity to compete at an early age.. They are able to discover the virtues of hard work and self-discipline, and what it takes to reach a goal. The goal is not necessarily the luxury of winning because everyone cannot win. But, the coaches have a time -improvement incentive program: whereby the swimmers compete against the.clock to improve their own times. This program can lend a great deal of self- confidence to the youngsters. • Youngsters can also receive long range dividends from the swimming program such as the development of a life-long activity, the foundation for all water -related sports, employment possibilities, college scholarship possibilities. Having been around youngsters in swim, felt that they are good youngsters who stay out of trouble, do well in school. Called attention to the number of Water Otters and their parents present this date to express their interest to the Council. Felt that elimination of the Water Otters Swim Team/Program would short-change both the City and the youngsters. Urged the Council to keep the program going, if at all possible. Mr. N. Barrett Requested clarification of the Report. 630 S. Forrestdale Felt that on the information presented, West Covina, Ca. the City government is dependent upon the property tax at a rate of 100 percent a year..'in its growth. Reported that he had requested from the City a current financial statement. He was provided with one from 1974-75, being told that was the last one printed. In that it stated, "The total amount'. of property tax revenue was 1.1 million dollars." That represents about 25 percent'of the City's total revenue for that period 04.4-..million). To take 60 percent of that, - 2 - CITY COUNCIL Alternative Budget April 17, 1978 Page Three which would be lost if Proposition 13 passes, there would be a loss of $660,000, or approximately 15 percent of the City budget. • According to the Report presented this date, the amount -that would be lost mould be $2.8 million, which would be over 400 percent greater than what was presented in the 1974-75 budget. That would mean that there has been a growth rate of 100 percent a year. That did not make sense to him. Fast referred to the Report, pages 5 and 6, explaining that $1.8 million mould be the actual reduction in property tax, $1.0 million would be the resultant revenue loss. Barrett stated that he would concede to that argument, but noted that $3.2 million would still be a 300 percent growth rate:. -since 1974-75. Eliot, without having the 1974-75 budget before him, hazard to guess that Barrett was deriving his figures by looking at one fund of the entire City budget. Explained that in prior years, property tax was spread into more than one fund; i.e. General Fund, Park Fund, etc. In order to determine the total property tax for 1974-75, all of those funds would have to be added together. For the purpose of the budget presentation this year, the funds were combined together into a General Fund. • Explained that the rate would be up some due to the development activity in the City over the past . couple of years. Invited Barrett to the Finance Office to review the budgets. Barrett stated that he did not believe there would be a loss in sales tax. In fact, he felt there would be an increase. Miller explained that the City Tax Rate has remained at $1.43, but that the growth factor and assessed valua- tions have gone up tremendously. Mr. J. Navardes Asked if, since the preparation of the 2322 Walnut Creek Pkrwy. Report, there had been any contact with West Covina, Ca. the officials in Sacramento as to how they plan to take care of the cities who are going to be in dire need. • Tice.explained that much of the proposition would be left to interpretation and to the courts. - 3 - CITY COUNCIL April 17, 1978 Alternative Budget Page Four Fast explained that Proposition 13 calls for the Legislature to make such determinations. They will • not be able to do so until after June 6th. Therefore, they will wait until after June 6th, and at that point the Legislature will have to determine.how the funds are proportioned and to make any other considerations deemed necessary for replacement revenues. Navardes asked if the State decided to increase gas or sales tax, if the City would-be reimbursed with a certain amount of money. Tice stated that the City does not know that at this time. Mr..R. Mount Swim Team Coach for Edgewood High School, 837 De.l Cerro —Drive but not speaking on behalf of school. -- West -Covina. Stated that he had been involved with many of the Councilmen's sons in Little League, Pop Warner, etc. Felt -that many of those programs have fed the high schools with .their traditional athletic successes. Reported that the Water Otters Swim Team does the same thing for the high school swim teams as Pop Warner has done for football. Youngsters need to start at an early age to be competitive in a high school program. Elimination of the Water Otters, he felt, would assure elimination of the high school program. Reiterated McClosky4s request that the Council reconsider that portion of the budget. Shearer asked Staff to furnish the annual City costs for maintenance of the pool. Mrs. G. Hall Stated she would be in favor of a 2142 Evangelina St. reduced budget similar to Case No. 2. West Covina, Ca. where the impact -.on public services (police and fire),is not a,f:fected as greatly. Would also be in favor of the use of Revenue Sharing Funds and B.K.K. Funds to avoid any reduction of services which would result in the increase of public liability, or which would increase vandla.lism. Felt that elimination of accident . analysis, and minimal inspections of water systems and grading improvements would be an 'impact on the public and should be avoided, if possible. Stated that much money had been spent to put up beautiful buildings and nice structures for children in - 4 - CJ b CITY COUNCIL April 17, 1978 Alternative Budget Page Five the City parks. Felt it would be a crime to eliminate permanently stationed individuals at each park. It would not be a sound financial practice. Advocated a modest rental fee to offset maintenance. M-r. 'L,. Mount Felt that it had been demonstrated B37 Del Cerro Drive by the efforts of the Staff Report, .,West Covina that Proposition 13 would cause utter chaos,at all]evels of government, particularly at the municipal level. Did not feel that the City could live with either budget presented this date. It seemed inconceive- able to him that the lost revenues would not-,'s.omehow be replaced,, with money from the State. However, felt everyone knew that when money is received from the State, that there are always strings attached. Strongly urged the Council to consider what programs they would want to give up and have the State call the shots on. Felt that all of the essentials would be funded. Those programs that would be best maintained with local control should receive the emphasis. In the area of recreation, strongly urged the Council to consider the age group programs. Mr. W. Height West Covina, Ca. Concurred that both budgets presented would be unacceptable. Re Case No. 2, the better of the two budgets, personnel reductions would still be made, and the para- medics program would be eliminated. Reported that since the para- medic service was begun, numerous lives have been saved. Reductions n.the areas of maintenance and recreation will create more calls for police and fire service with less staff to respond. Challenged the estimates of the police response times, feeling that with the number of officers reduced, the response time would increase by more than a few minutes. Noted that if the City was to receive funding to increase the Police Department, it would take some six months to train officers. While in training those officers would be paid - that would be 18 officers x 6 months pay just to retain the pre -Proposition 13 status. Same with .the Fire Department. Suggested that general safety be considered in all departments. • Mrs. B. Uribe Stated that she had not been aware of 1121 E. Greenville Dr. this meeting until the day prior, and West Covina, Ca. that she had not had ample time to review the Report. Noted that during the presentation, there were little "odd -ball" things that she questioned. - 5 - CITY COUNCIL Alternative Budget 4 April 17, 1978 Page Six It seemed to her that a good place for the Council and the City Management to start would be to _ publicly print the salaries of all City employees, including the . Council. Suggested getting employees who do not cost so much money. Felt that the budgets proposed were supposition,al,and that the Council would receive more input from the citizens' -when they had had a chance to find out what was going on. Requested everyone to turn to page 36 so that she could point out a --couple of little things that just passed through her mind while the Staff presented the Report. "Purchases of necessary supplies may not be made at the best possible prices." Felt that in that case, somebody was not doing their job. An employee has to get the best possible price because that is his duty. "It will -take much longer to purchase merchandise, as well as make payments to vendors. Delays in pay- ments will cause vendors to charge higher prices.for sales to the City." Did not feel that was so. If paper is so much a ton, it is so much a ton, whether the City takes two weeks to order it, or whether they order it the first night out. • "The ability to communicate.with the public, various governmental agencies, the City Council, and other City departments will decline greatly, due to the lack of clerical help. It will also be difficult to .produce various annual, quarterly, and monthly financial reports required by law." Felt that the ability to communicate with the public was an absolute and first necessity. So*, that item would not be true. "Billing and collection of receivables will decline drastically." Felt that as long as there is money coming into the City, the first clerk that should be working should be the Billing Clerk to get out the bills. Receivables coming in would not have anything to do with the billing. Felt that the citizens needed more time to review the Report so that they could offer some really pertinent suggestions to the City. Re the purchase of typewriters, noted that one of the public offices outside of City Hall has a brand new $1,000 typewriter. The office in question would not need a $1,000 typewriter. Suggested other typewriters available at a lower purchase, use and maintenance cost. With a little more time, felt that she could offer something really worthwhile to the City about an alternative budget. - 6 - CITY COUNCIL Alternative Budget April 17, 1978 Page 'Seven Tice reported that each of the Councilmen earns a ''salary" of $250/month. • Mrs. N. Manners Addressed the Council as a Represent- 734 N..Eileen Ave. ative of the East San Gabriel Valley West Covina, Ca. League of Women Voters. - Reviewed the function of the League, and explained that normally the League does not .take a_stand on a proposition, but in some cases it does, based on certain criteria',';. Reported that in the case of Proposition 13, the League had studied the three principles of the proposition. The study resulted in a concensus of opinion from all levels of the League to come out in adamant opposition to Proposition -13 as being not responsive to the desires that it hoped to address - legitimate tax reform. Everyone would like to see this addressed, but the League does not feel that Proposition 13 does. it. The League's .opposition is based upon three major premises. (1) Revenues for government services be adequate and be so constructed as to insure local control. Felt that the way Proposition 13 is worked out, it would work to the detriment of local control. • (2) Assessed valuation and tax assessment practices. Felt that it should be equitable, and that like properties should be taxed in like manner. Proposition 13 would result in problems that would not have that effect. (3) Constitutional amendments. Felt that the aim should be to simplify the :Constitution, not make it more difficult, more ambiguous, more confusing, which Proposition 13 would do The proposition would result in court cases and a great deal of litigation before it is known what it really means. Pointed out the distinction between the League's Voter Service Bureau and the Action -Committee. The Action Committee welcomed information or help from.any persons who realize that the Proposition would not be in the best interest of local government, the schools or the public. Recognized that the Council could not spend public funds in support or in opposition of any ballot measure, but urged the Council to adopt an official position against Proposi- tion 13 as being detrimental to local government. Felt that Proposition 13 was a very poor attempt to solve a very complex problem. Mrs-B. Uribe After hearing Mrs. Manners speak, stated 1121 E. Greenville Dr. she would like to give her personal West Covina, Ca. opinion about Proposition 13. CITY COUNCIL Alternative Budget April 17, 1978 Page Eight Tice explained that it was not the intent of this meeting to debate Proposition 13, but, rather to discuss and consider alternative budgets. • `PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED THE MAYOR CALLED A RECESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 9:15 P.M. THE COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 9:25 P.M. Tice stated that since Mrs. Manners had spoken in opposition to Proposition 13, it would be fair to permit one person to speak in favor of same. PUBLIC HEARING REOPENED Mr. G. Welch Apologized for his lack of preparedness, 1552 Maplegrove St. but appreciated the opportunity to speak. West Covina, Ca. Felt that most of the persons present were fully aware of the problems that the City might face, and were not suspicious of this City government, but proud of it. Stated that people keep talking about tax reform, but nothing was ever done until Jarvis -Gann came along with their initiative. Because he knows Jarvis personally, he knew that he had been working on the initiative for many years. While words like "ambiguous," "hard to understand," etc. are bantered around, other government language is also difficult; i.e. tax forms�And their instructions. Felt that the "thing" about the Jarvis - Gann Proposition was that it is a step towards a possible trip back to sanity. Noted that in the past three years, his property tax has increased 300 percent. Decreasing it by 66 percent would still be a little bit behind the gain. Thought that citizen input, although citizens might not be as professional or trained, is going to be what will keep the country great. Felt that Proposition 13 should receive every consideration that can be given. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED COUNCIL DISCUSSION Tice thanked everyone who had come, but noted that he was somewhat disappointed that more input was not received concerning the services that should be given priorities. Suggested that there might be another public meeting. Councilman Chappell "There is no way possible that we are going to make a decision this evening on the information given us. The Councilmen here are all available to the citizens of the community. I am sure that as soon as the CITY COUNCIL April 17, 1978 Alternative Budget Page Nine Baseball Leagues get the word that the Water Otters were here, we will get the word on their program. The same will be true for all of the other youth -orientated activities, which amounts to a large • number of participants. We will be told about everything that we have received recommendation to take out. That is not where it is going to all end up. I have no quarrel about speaking against Proposition 13. I have'done it as President of the League of California Cities, L.A. Division. I have done it a number of times and will continue to do it. Hopefully the citizens will get the word. Your property tax may be high, but local government is the one that is going to be punished because it is high. Local government, out of a $13 or $14 tax rate, brings in $1.43. This is where we are right now. We are being asked to cut out the heart of our City. Judge Young and myself fought hard to bring the Paramedics Program into our City. Almost the first day it was in operation, a life was saved. Throughout the years since, many lives have been saved. Where do we put priorities? I hope someone can come up and tell me where we put priorities. I put priorities on life and the citizens themselves, but I also have • some sort of a track record for youth orientated activities in this community, and I do not want to see them cutout. Up until just about this year, even though the tax rate has only been $1.43, property tax has been the largest source of revenue to the City. Because of a diligently working Council and Staff, that has been turned around this year where the property tax is not the largest single source of revenue. Sales tax has now taken its place. But, if we lay-off 100 people, and every other City in this Valley does the same thing; and, the County does the same thing; we are not going to have an increase in sales tax in this City (as several citizens in the audience thought). Spending income is going to be down. Regardless of what one might say, if you don't pay a person, your spending is going to be down. Everyone is going to start hanging onto the buck. Sales tax revenue is not going to be in the number one position if the Jarvis -Gann passes. I can only say, we are between the rock and the hard place. Disclosing what we pay our employees is no secret. We have been doing that on a regular basis for as long • as I have been on the Council. Nothing that we do here is secret. I don't know what that has to do with what we are talking about today, unless the employees that we are talking about all come in and say that they are willing to take a cut in pay or something like that. I don't see what we pay them has any bearing on this. They achieved most of those salaries through negotiations and hard bargaining every year. Since I have been on the Council, nothing has ever been given 9 - CITY COUNCIL April 17, 1978 Alternative Budget Page Ten away. Every dime .that we spend as a Council is adequately protected and adequately proven necessary to keep our employees paid at a level that they can pay their taxes and for their food, etc. Defeat Proposition 13, and, then, hopefully, we can get something better out of the State than "1" and "8". But, right now, I am concerned about what this will do to the City.- reducing this tremendous amount of employees. I don't see the State as having any great source of funding that they can come down save us. They have to save the school districts by law, and all of the other districts that receive money only from the State property tax. So, we are not going to be at the top of the priority list to receive money from the State, even if they have some to pass out. If our citizens want to see our City of West Covina and other cities of our State survive, they will work very hard to defeat "13." That is all I have to say." Councilman Shearerz'� "We could talk on to the wee hours of the morning about the pros and cons of Proposition 13 but that. really isn'td-p issue. As I stated in the Council campaign, I only have one vote and so do you. My vote will count no more on June 6th than your vote. There are some things that bother me, and I am only going to make one statement. I think part of the problem of • the development of property tax is that we have grown like Topsy over the years. I hear statements like, "The property tax should only cover property related services." I will agree with that. But, right along with that, it says, "Such as police and fire." Iwould agree to that. But when we look at the figures of what is left over to the City of -West Covina (under the Jarvis - Gann Proposition), it won't even cover police and fire, much less some of the other property related services. Granted, maybe welfare doesn't belong there. The City of West Covina does not pay welfare. Maybe school support doesn't belong in the property tax. But, the City of West Covina City Council is not involved in that. So, where we are this evening is how Proposition 13 relates to the City government of the City of West Covina. Unfortunately, we may be the good guys, but we may go down the drain with the bad guys. Be that as it may, we have a potential impact facing us if Proposition 13 passes. As some people have alluded to here this evening, it may well be made up for by the State. "May be made up for by the.State." But, if we rely as diligently on • that as we have over the years on tax reform, it may be the year 2010 before some compensation is given to the cities. I think it would be derelict on our part to just sit back and presume that this was going to happen. It may well happen. And, if it does, some of the actions that we have been asked to consider here this evening won't be necessary. But, I think it is time that we begin - 10 - CITY COUNCIL Alternative Budget April 17, 1978 Page Eleven to at least consider,discuss, and listen to people such as the people who spoke for the continuation of the swimming program." (Asked Staff for the maintenance costs of the swimming pool.) • Mr. Fast_?"The annual maintenance cost of the swimming pool is approximately $28,000. That provides the maintenance worker, the chemicals, supplies, and;:utilities. Current staffing is $34,000. Grand total: $62,000 annually. $8,500 is contributed by the school. $15,000 is contributed by utilizers of the pool (fees paid at the pool window) . " Councilman Shearer "Thank you. The issue before us this evening is not to debate Proposition 13. I personally intend to vote "no" on the matter. I do support property tax reform.s�not feel it would be appropriate for the Council to take a position. I think the facts speak for themselves this evening. I think the City of West Covina is smart enough to make their choice. I am sure there will be an article in the Tribune tomorrow listing some of the impacts on the City. The citizens do not need Chet Shearer telling them how to vote. If they like what they see .in the way of reductions, fine. That is what democracy is all about. If you don't like what you see, you will vote accordingly. With regard to the specific issue • before us, I think Staff is desirous of input from Council. As interested as I am in youth activities and recreation, I think that on an absolute priority basis, comparing that with the Paramedic Program, or with the maintenance of capital improvements, recreation would have to come out as a rather low priority. I think that recreation is something that, by arid -la.rge;.c.an,�be �pro.vid.ed _on -a.n individual, volunteer basis. (That may not be true of the swim program.) It is not something absolutely necessary for the government to provide. It is nice, and I hope that we don't have to cut it. I would go even further than the Staff's recommendation and suggest that consideration be given to further cuts in the area of recreation. I am not going to make myself too popular with the young people and some mothers, but maybe instead of considering cutting 8 of 16 recreation programs we should consider cutting all 16, and let the recreation programs be provided on a volunteer basis. I don't say that because I am opposed to recreation. I am saying that because when I compare that with a police officer, or being able to respond to your home or mine that is on fire at a much quicker rate, or being able to respond to your call if someone in your family is needful of paramedics, recreation is not a priority. • I would also be supportive, at least on a first year basis, if Proposition 13 passes and the State does not come forth with compensating revenue, to use one year revenue sharing funds and one year's B.K.K. funds, ---,to reduce the impact of the proposed cuts. Beyond that, at this time, I am not in a position to be any more specific:" CITY COUNCIL April 17, 1978 Alternative Budget Page Twelve Councilman Miller "First of.all, I want to thank the people for coming out and for responding with such short notice • to be prepared. I would suggest we have one more meeting of this type before June'6th. I believe that would be helpful because the input from the citizens is very important. Looking at Staff's proposal this evening, and looking for direction, you have to go under the assumption that there are no monies coming into the City from Sacramento, if Proposition 13 passes. I feel that Sacramento will have to be responsive to the people. The question is,when will they be? If they drag their heels, as they have been for property relief, it could be a long time. So, there is a possibility that there could be a period of time that there will be no monies coming from Sacramento. As far as going into detail on cuts tonight, there is really no way possible. It all hinges on what happens with Proposition 13. There were a couple of recommendations from Staff to use other resources that the Council has put some limits to in the past; i.e. B.K.K. funds and revenue sharing funds. • I would be open to looking into broadening the use of the B.K.K. funds in relation to other areas. I mould be open to expanding the use of revenue sharing funds also, except for getting into salaries. .Even at hard times;*that is one area that I would not like to see us enter into. Relying on salaries to come from the federal govern- ment can leave a City "hanging" if they start cutting back on funding. The City has to try to make up the difference, and there just is no way that can be done. In relation to Case No. 1 and No. 2 this evening, I would see Case No. 2 as a starting point only. I'se_e many modifications to it. This is a very difficult report that Staff has put together, and I commend them for.it. Overall, it is a good starting point. In relation to the comments that were addressed to us re special interests, I -would do my very best, of course, to see if we cannot maintain them. But, there is a realistic balance that must be obtained with what we have to work with. There is no question that fire and police have to have top priority. When we see our laws shifting so much in relation to criminals and loosening of the laws, etc., that this is an area that needs to be boned up on. • When we have more criminals coming out of our prisons, this raises our crime rates, and this is what is hitting us now. So, it is obvious that police and fire are areas that we cannot afford to cut back any more than absolutely necessary. - 12 - CITY COUNCIL Alternative Budget April 17, 1978 Page Thirteen In relation to any types of positions, I concur that I do not view it as necessary for the City Council,as a body,to take a position for or against Proposition 13. The • people of West Covina are educated, as far as I am concerned. They can keep up with the issues. Enough good articles have been written on the proposition, and there will be many more. I really don't see the need for any confusion about the pros and cons of "13." If the people don't keep up with the issues; then, there will be confusion. -Personally, I have concerns about "13." I have always stressed local control, and I still do. If Proposition 13 passes, it will take away local control of the property tax rate - out of the hands of the City, into the hands of the County under a fixed one percent to be divied back, but no one knows to what degree or what percentage at this point. Being a renter, I am disappointed in Proposition.13 not addressing itself to helping renters directly. It only helps indirectly to stable rents, but does it reduce rents? Some people say landlords could turn the money back to the renters or reduce the rents, but they would be good landlords, and in this day and age, it is tempting to take windfall money and go a different direction. Other than that, I do thank the people for their comments. It has been very helpful." Councilman Browne "I would like to y express m thanks to P the people in the audience tonight for their attentiveness and thinking down the road for the future of our City. I am not in a position to advocate or endorse Jarvis -Gann Proposition 13..'I think that is something.that intelligent people can do for themselves. I would not want to see this Council take a stand one way or another, especially when people have spoken out to say that we do need tax reform. .We need tax reform when it is not reflected.into local jurisdiction and taking away the rights of local authorities. .For many months I thought that I was for Proposition 13 until I got to reading more about it. Now I am riding the fence. But, I do think that all government structure should wake up and effect some cures for the ailments that prevail. -In reviewing the presentation tonight, . I compliment Mr. Fast on a beautiful production on his part and on the part of City Staff. I made a facetious remark that I was going to recommend it for a Fiction Presentation next year. I do not agree with all of the concerns that were expressed in it. I think it went overboard in expressing concerns in areas that are not too relevant to what 'we are discussing. I was deeply impressed by notations made on page 44, "New approaches to provide these services will be studied.`�-'This includes the major reorganization of functions." - 13 - CITY COUNCIL Alternative Budget April 17, 1978 Page Fourteen I think that is a good statement that all levels of government should adhere to. During my recent campaign for re- election, I expressed my concerns that the City Council is primarily responsible for the safety and welfare of its citizens. I will go down fighting for the police, fire, communications and maintenance systems in this City. I would hate to see even one person reduced from this area. I was advocating the addition of personnel in the areas of public safety. Our crime rate is such that I think it will almost double in the next few years. I would certainly hate to see any reductions in the area of safety. I feel that better figures could come forth in the area of reductions. I do not agree with the 33 percent reduction because I think it is a fictitious='figure. I don't even agree with the 50-20 percent reduction. Maybe I am more optimistic than my fellow Councilmen. I think a bolt of lightning_' -.has struck Sacramento to the point where restructuring of�s_bvO "t:ons"back to the cities will take place. In talking with some of our legislators, they know it might take a little time, but they are not going to let the cities.sink. • True, we are facing the possibility of structuring an alternative budget. In the way of priorities, I have already stated my prime concern. We have heard requests from private interest groups tonight. By the time the news hits the streets tomorrow, I am sure every Councilman will be receiving telephone calls from every private interest group in the City. I am ready for it. 1 think we have been over -burdening ourselves with some of the concerns of these private interest groups. I think the ones that speak the loudest get the most oil. I think that is horn this Council, and Councils in the past, have structured some of the programs that we have in the City. I take this opportunity to say that I hope this has jarred something loose in this City's structure in the minds of Staff. With the possibility of lay-offs, reduction of Staff, yes, let's take a second look and maybe we can maintain those more needed programs without having to reduce personnel to the degree that is outlined to us tonight. I certainly would not be in a position to prioritize dollar values tonight. I would have to see more just figures. After Staff goes into their second budget session, • I hope that they will come back with more deliberate determination on some of the things that are concerning us. That is my stand, Mr. Mayor." - 14 - CITY COUNCIL Alternative Budget April 17, 1978 Page Fifteen Mayor Tice "As'I said earlier, this Report that the Staff put together was not intended as a recommendation; it is strictly for • discussion. We can accept parts of it, or reject all of it and start from square one again. However, the'�,::issue is that we will be faced with a reduction of property taxes, so we have to give some thought to putting some priorities on services. I was up to Sacramento twice last year. So many tax relief bills have died in committee. Something should have been done ten or fifteen years ago. It is kind of late right now to try to do anything. They are attempting to answer the Jarvis -Gann Initiative with the Behr Bill. It is a step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough. I am not silly enough to believe that someone is going to help us out financially; I don't believe in the Tooth Fairy. I don't think that we are going to get any funds from Sacramento for quite a while, if we get any at all. The State of California stands to gain some $800 million in income tax, excluding any surtax, if Proposition 13 passes. The federal government will gain about $2.hillion in income tax. What they are going to do with all of that extra money, • I don't know. In what we are looking at tonight, my feeling is that public safety takes the number one priority. After public safety, I think public streets and sewer maintenance would be important to me. Then, I think we need planning and engineering - in that order." Fast delineated the next steps that Staff will take in budget preparation. Felt that the Staff, after this meeting, was closer to confirmation of the Council's basic priorities. Motion made by Shearer, seconded by Chappell that the City Council authorize Staff, in their next step of a(l:tertiative°.:budget' preparation, to utilize anticipated 1978-79 revenue, sharing funds plus the estimated 1978-79 income from the B.K.K.'business license to offset the first year operating budget should Proposition 13 pass. This would be as a last resort in order to reduce the potential number of public safety personnel lay-offs. Motion carried on roll call vote: • AYES: Shearer, Browne, Chappell, Tice NOES: Miller - 15 - 0 n LJ CITY COUNCIL A lternative Budget April 17, 1978 Page Sixteen (Miller cast his vote based on his position re use of revenue sharing funds to pay salaries.) ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Chappell, seconded by Shearer to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 P.M. Motion carried.