03-08-1993 - Regular Meeting - Minutes•
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M I N U T E S
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
March 8, 1993
The adjourned regular meeting of the West. Covina City Council was called to order
by Mayor Manners at 7:15 pm at the Palmview Recreation facility located at 1340 E.
Puente Avenue, West Covina. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Manners.
ROLL CALL Mayor Manners, Mayor Pro Tem Jennings, Councilmembers
McFadden, Wong. Herfert arrived at 7:30 pm.
Others Present: Starbird, Wylie, Orr, Thomas, Koniarsky, Holler, Greene,
Collier, Jones, Salazar, Janis, Ure, Cheramie, Hoppe,
Miller, Heieck, Ragan, Hanna, Parker, Bommarito, Burton,
Urban, Glover, Panas, Keating, Irwin, Holmes, Gardner,
Nagel, Samaniego, Yoshizaki, Berry
LONG RANGE FINANCIAL PLANNING — CITY SERVICES AND EXPENDITURES
City Manager Starbird introduced the study session re:
City services and expenditures by reviewing the antici-
pated state impact on FY 93/94 - 20% of City's share
property taxes ($1,160,000) and 30% of RDA's tax incre-
ment ($1,410,000). As a refresher for the audience,
the baseline budget projections to the year 2000 were
reviewed, as well as the assumptions and guidelines
used throughout the long-range financial study prepara-
tions.
City Engineer Thomas presented information comparing
West Covina's employment, expenditures, and service
levels with cities of comparable size.
Recess Mayor Manners called a recess at 8:45 pm. Council
reconvened at 8:56 pm with all members present.
Assistant City Manager Wylie noted the magnitude of the
problem using pie charts to depict the impact on the
city's finances. Referring to the evening's handouts,
Mr. Wylie discussed potential "non -essential" reduction
options. He then led a discussion on the impact of
reducing service levels for the different programs
and services conducted -by the City in order to achieve
cost saving. Next was a discussion on operational
efficiencies to achieve cost savings without reducing
services. A variety of questions were asked by Council
and responded to by staff.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Harold Herrera, 541 N. Osborn Avenue, suggested keeping
Harold Herrera all services currently provide, but cut employee wages.
Floyd Tayor Floyd Taylor, 1714 E. Mobeck Street, asked for a clari-
fication of the $370,000 for the Chamber of Commerce.
Councilmember Wong responded that the money comes from .
the Business Improvement Tax.
Susan Homme Susan Homme, 1909 Calico, suggested that the money
received from the new car dealerships be placedcin
reserves. She felt the City needs more police with the
expansion of the mall and should assess businesses.
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Bob McClelland Bob McClelland, 901 Coral Tree Dr., suggested reviewing
all departments and programs on a priority basis and
cut^from the bottom. He felt the City could not afford
the Cameron Park Historical building. Clean -Up, Fix -Up
Week is nice, but not necessary.
Floyd Taylor Floyd Taylor, 1714 E. Mobeck Street, noted that the City
isn't going to be able to balance the budget by simply
cutting expenditures —revenues need to be increased.
Rita Heieck Rita Heieck, 1313 S. Sunkist, stated that as a real
estate agent, the City's police and fire services sell
the City.
Harold Herrera Harold Herrera, 541 N. Osborn Ave., commented on retro-
fitting residences with sprinklers. Three sprinklers
should be installed where fires normally occur: kitchen,
garage, and furnace area.
RECESS Mayor Manners called a recess at 10:40 pm. Council
reconvened at 10:45 pm with all members present.
Audrey Lynberg
Audrey Lynberg, 1311 Golden Vista Drive, related stories
of West Covina in earlier times regarding fire and police
services.
Walt Hauser
Walt Hauser, 2147 Rio Verde Drive, president of the West
Covina Police Officers' Association, discussed the con-
sequences of 13 to 14 police employees currently funded
through the Drug Seizure Program should that program end.
Wayne Heieck
Wayne Heieck, 1313 S. Sunkist Avenue, stated the President
wants to raise taxes, the Governor wants to raise taxes,
and he is opposed to the City raising taxes. He stated
that cutting salaries won't solve the problem and sug-
gested the City seriously look into a MRF at the BKK
site and enticing businesses into West Covina.
Joe Janis
Joe Janis, West Covina Fire Battalion Chief, countered
Harold Herrera's comments favoring pay cuts.
Harold Herrera
Harold Herrera, 541 N. Osborn, clarified his position:
everyone should feel the economic strain, including
City employees.
COUNCIL COMMENTS.
Councilmember Herfert felt Walt Hauser's point was well
Herfert
taken regarding the number of police personnel who are
funded through the Drug Seizure Rebate Program. He
was very supportive of encouraging businesses to
relocate into West Covina.
McFadden
Councilmember McFadden wanted a detailed analysis of
the major revenue proposals and cost reduction sugges-
tions. He reiterated his support of taxing the BKK
generator and increasing the BKK Business License Tax
by 1%.
Wong
Councilmember Wong explained the budgetary situation.
facing the City and the solution will be based on a
variety of actions.
Jennings
Mayor Pro Tem Jennings expressed the desire to maintain
safety services, if not increase them. He encouraged
staff to look into volunteer services and contracting
whenever financially beneficial. He too felt that
the solution may very well require reductions in salaries
or employees, and'require taking steps in increasing
revenues at the same time.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 8, 1993
Page Three
Mayor Manners stated that she was not prepared at this
time to make specific recommendations, but preferred to
Mayor Manners wait until the whole picture is before the Council. She
noted there may be some unpleasantries, calling for
actions from all phases of the budgetary process. She
noted everything is on the table for consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
Ci y Clerk Janet Ber
City Manager Starbird stated that there would be more
analysis presented at the next long-range financial
planning study session. He stated it was scheduled
for April 5 at 7:00 pm in the Management Resource
Center at City Hall.
Mayor Manners thanked the staff for the information and
the citizens for attending the meeting and voicing their
concerns.
Motion by Jennings, seconded by Wong, and unanimously
carried to'adjourn the meeting at 11:25 pm.
Mayor Naric Manners
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