02-02-1993 - Special Meeting - MinutesM I N U T E S
SPECIAL MEETING
• WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
February 2, 1993
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to
order at 6:13 pm by Mayor Manners in the City Hall Council
Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL Mayor Manners, Mayor Pro Tem Jennings,
Councilmembers McFadden, Wong
Absent: Councilmember Herfert
Others Present: Starbird, Wylie, Buchanan, Panas,
Koniarsky, Miller, Thomas, Orr, Holler.,
Hanna, Yoshizaki, Glover, Collier,
Samaniego, Keating, Cheramie, Nelson
City Manager Starbird introduced newly appointed Deputy City Clerk,
Rita Buchanan.
PRESENTATION OF GUEST SPEAKER
City Manager Starbird presented Mr. Doug Ayres, Chairman of the
Municipal Services Institute.
COST CONTROL SYSTEM
Mr. Ayres presented a detailed summary of the services offered by
Municipal Services Institute. He stated that cities should prepare
for the State's budget cuts by becoming fiscally independent of the
State. To do this, cities must rebuild their financial structure
by 1) reviewing the services and the costs to offer those services;
2) determining whether revenues can be made from these services; 3)
determining if the services are needed; and/or where costs can be
eliminated or reduced.
Mr. Ayres mentioned some advantages to the cost control system
which included Council and citizens get to review their services,
eliminating those services that are not utilized; a review of
policy options; integration of a cost control system which gives
management a means to measure costs, productivity, and service;
training managers in cost control so that they can become
entrepreneurs; and design a computer database which is user
friendly and gives operators an excellent foundation for
transporting and comparing data. His firm will conduct public
hearings through adoption of resolutions to implement new fees.
Ayres stated that his firm is not suggesting a full -cost recovery
system; however, from his experience with other cities, he can
predict at least a 10% overall increase in revenues. (All Funds)
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mr. Ayres answered specific Council questions on his program.
Recreational programs and animal control services rarely recover
all the costs of the program. Municipal Services Institute makes
realistic suggestions of percentage of recovery on programs and
suggests when to partially subsidize a program. The proposal
includes an implementing policy ordinance, public hearings, a model
resolution that adopts the rate(s), and an executive order. Then
Municipal Service Institute will work with staff to implement the
changes Council decides on.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 2, 1993
• Ayres states that the analysis phase normally takes from 4 to 6
months, depending on the city's size and complexity. Municipal
Services Institute staff will be involved from the program's
inception through its implementation working with City staff. The
cost of the study would be approximately in the high 5 digits. The
• study's goal is not to increase revenues, but to review costs and
then determine where revenues can be made, where costs of services
can be cut, and where costs can be avoided or eliminated. The
Council determines what citizens want in the way of services
through a series of study sessions. Ayres and his firm will
participate and facilitate these public study sessions.
•`
City Manager Starbird stated that Municipal Services Institute's
proposal is a structured, detailed, and highly sophisticated study
which includes addressing infrastructure problems. This evening's
presentation was background information for the Council's
consideration in light of the Financial Trends Study Sessions.
ATTEST:•
City'Clerk Janet B ry
Motion by Manners, seconded by Wong to
adjourn the meeting at 7:17 pm.
Mayor Nafgy Manners
spee/mig
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