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.
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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,
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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."
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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."
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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
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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.